On Wednesday 10 October 2024, Leuven in Flemish Brabant gets its first fully-fledged prude, with a parade. Ot will be a nocturnal affair, as it’s scheduled for 7 PM.
Leuven Pride will walk through the heart of the city, with a march starting at 7 PM from the Martelarenplein, which is front of Leuven Railway Station. The exact starting point is Het Depot.
The route goes along the Bondgenotenlaan (Allies Avenue), Grote Markt, and ends at the Ferdinand Smoldersplein.
The basics of pride
“This march is a celebration of our LGBTQI+ community and its long history of fighting for equality. No floats or commercial floats, we return to the origins of pride: the protest marches that began with the Stonewall Inn Riots in 1969″, Leuven Pride says.
“Like the crowds that gathered outside the Stonewall Inn back then, we also want to highlight the power of our presence and solidarity, filling the streets of Leuven with people, stories and voices that want to be heard. Every step we take, no matter how small, is a victory over discrimination and injustice.”
“We walk for those who are still fighting for their rights, who cannot yet have their voices heard. It is a reminder of the struggles our community has endured, the struggles we still endure. Together we walk for our rights and those of generations to come.”
Pride street party
On the Ferdinand Smoldersplein, there will be a street party until 10 PM. “The rainbow community will do what it does best: we will build a street party with food, drinks and dancing until 22:00. Upon arrival we will also inaugurate the new LGBTQI+ Monument.”
LGBTQI+ Monument
The new monument will appear at the iconic location of the Pieter Coutereel statue on the Ferdinand Smoldersplein in Leuven. This location once housed a public toilet that was known as a popular cruising spot for the men seeking sex with men.
“This temporary monument will not only serve as a reminder of that past, but also as a beacon of hope and change for the future. The artwork is designed as a playful nod to the joy and vibrancy of being ‘gay'”, Leuven Pride says.
The closed windows at the front of the monument will be replaced by three viewing boxes showing scenes from LGBTQI+ (night)life in Leuven, created by artist Chris Perdieus. These images are accompanied by sound, created by artist Georgy Chtchevaev. Based on testimonies, he creates three audio performance artworks.
“The end result is a layered artwork that can be experienced in different ways, but where the interplay of image and sound is central.”
Afterparty
After all that, there’s an afterparty at De Veilingzaal, part of the Optimist bar.
The party is hosted by Georgy Gorgeous and Queer Leuven. The bar of the Optimist itself remains accessible to everyone, for the show and the party tickets are needed.
The latest on prides in Belgium
- Liège Pride 2025 on Friday 22, Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August.
- Antwerp Pride 2025 from Wednesday 6 to Sunday 10 August.
- CHARLEROI PRIDE | Three days of inclusivity and festivities.
- Antwerp Queer Arts Festival from 3 to 31 August 2024: programme.
- Darklands 2025 from Tuesday 25 February until Monday 3 March.
- Limburg Pride 2025 to be hosted by Hasselt on Sunday 13 July.
- Brussels Pride 2024 programme starts on Wednesday 8 May with Pride Opening at Molenbeek and a Pride Week.
- Darklands 2025 theme: ‘Darklands Glows’, stays at Waagnatie until 2030.
- Queer March Ghent 2024 on Saturday 30 March at Viernulvier.
23 Comments Add yours