This week marks the 18th edition of Antwerp Pride in the city of Antwerp, focusing on LGBTQ+ rights under the theme "Do Not Just March. Listen. Act. Commit."
The festivities will start with an opening event for the general public at OLT Rivierenhof on Wednesday evening.
The Pride Parade, expected to be the main highlight, will take place on Saturday, 9 August. It will start at Hessenplein, move through the city centre, and end at the Scheldt Quays, where the Love United Festival will continue into the night.
The Closing Festival will also take place on the quays on Sunday.
A new addition this year is 'Queer Families in Town', an event for families on Friday at Sint-Andriesplaats. It’s followed by 'Pride in Town' in the evening, offering a quieter environment with panel discussions, away from the main festivities.
The Stadsfeestzaal will have a shop and information point, while the Pride Village on the Scheldt Quays will showcase various LGBTQ+ organisations.
Meanwhile, the Antwerp Queer Arts Festival (AQAF), associated with Antwerp Pride, kicked off over the weekend. On Tuesday evening, AQAF will organise a human chain on the Suikerrui, shaped like Gaza, to highlight the situation there.
"Human rights are not a menu; it’s everyone or no one. There’s no Pride without speaking up for Palestine," the organisation said.
