What Is Euro Pride Festival?
The grand pride festival is all set to kick off in Europe. Since its inception 30 years ago, the LGBTQ+ rights festival has seen many ebbs and flows. To begin with, the festival itself has been highly controversial. People from all walks of life stepped forward and rebuked the support of the LGBTQ+ community. For the most part, people assume that the LGBTQ community already has access to their rights and thus, they argue that they should not be asking for more. While the movement itself is controversial, so is the festival. Every year LGBTQ+ rights activists gather on massive platforms and celebrate what they call Euro Pride. Essentially, this festival appreciates the struggles of the indigenous community. At the same time, it aims to raise voices for their rights.
Radio Talks / Euro Pride is a week-long festival that raises voices for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.
Before the pandemic, Euro Pride was celebrated with full vigor in different countries. Last year, for instance, it was celebrated in Poland. Throughout the festival, the activists were peaceful, and the festival was largely successful. Christine Garina is a popular European LGBTQ activist who wants to celebrate this year’s Euro Pride with the same vigor that she did ten years ago.
How Euro Pride 2022 Is Different Than the Previous Ones?
But things are different now. The activists want to celebrate Euro Pride 2022 in Serbia. But the Serbian government is not ready for that. Why? According to the official statement, the Serbian president has notified the activists that it is “not safe” to celebrate the Euro Pride 2022 in Serbia. Furthermore, the official statement cited that there are “potential threats to the Serbian government. Thus, according to the Serbian government, it will be risky for the Serbian government if they allow the indigenous community to celebrate their yearly festival.
Ket News / The Serbian government says that it is “not safe” to celebrate Euro Pride 2022 in Belgrade.
However, it is essential to note here that the capital of Serbia, Bergalre, has hosted many pride festivals before. To date, there have been no such incidents, and the festivals have been widely successful. But this time, as it is the 30th anniversary of the festival, the Serbian government is not ready for it.
Serbian Government 'Bans' Euro Pride 2022
An official statement released by the Serbian government suggests that there are “potential threats from the right-wing” and others. Although the government did not clarify the threat, it asserted that the government could not allow its capital to host the festival.
Europe Saga / The capital of Serbia, Belgrade, has received threats from right-wing activists and others not to host Euro Pride 2022.
It is also important to note here that there have been violent protests and skirmishes between the indigenous community and the right-wing activists. So, if the government ignores the threats and goes on to host the week-long festival, things can turn bad.
However, the LGBTQ+ rights activists are not ready to accept the decision of the Serbian government either. They have scheduled protests against the “ban” on the festival in Belgrade. Both parties expect that they will soon come to a logical conclusion. But as of now, the Euro Pride festival is banned in Serbia.
