Sweden to host EuroPride in 2018

Two cities, one country – Stockholm Pride and Gothenburg’s West Pride collaborate to host EuroPride 2018.

EuroPride organisers have chosen Stockholm Pride and West Pride in Gothenburg to host EuroPride in both cities in the summer of 2018.

In the summer of 2018 Sweden organisers aim to challenge norms, shine a spotlight on LGBT issues and everyone’s right to love who they want and be who they are, and place extra emphasis on international solidarity.

Sandra Ehne, Chairperson of Stockholm Pride, and Laila Poulsen, Chairpeople of West Pride, said; “We’re looking forward to a summer painted with the colours of the rainbow, with a dazzling celebration, discussion and manifesting the equal rights of all people, starting in Gothenburg in June and ending in August in Stockholm. We want to challenge the framework of what a Pride festival is. Every festival is part of a larger battle for the equal rights of all people. By collaborating with other festivals in Sweden and Europe, we’re showing that Pride and the LGBT movement are bigger than each week and city.”

Anneli Hulthén, Mayor of Gothenburg, said; “It is with great joy that I welcome EuroPride 2018 to Gothenburg! The rights of LGBT individuals are human rights and human dignity is international. Together, we can make a difference in the world.”

Sweden and Stockholm held EuroPride in 1998 and 2008. Tens years on, Sweden has another opportunity to demonstrate how LGBT rights have developed in the last 20 years, while simultaneously carrying out the 25th EuroPride event in what is known as one of the most open-minded countries in the world.

Karin Wanngård, Commissioner of Finance in Stockholm; “Stockholm is known worldwide as an open city, and we are happy and proud to welcome EuroPride for the third time. We have the necessary capacity to hold this kind of big event, and I look forward to welcoming visitors from Sweden and the rest of the world to EuroPride 2018.”

Gabriel Dorch, of VisitSweden in the UK, added; “I’m thrilled that Sweden will have the opportunity to host this globally renowned LGBT celebration in both our largest cities. Stockholm was earlier this year honoured as “Destination of the Year” at the British LGBT Awards as a result of a public vote and we have been doing great work to attract more LGBT people to holiday in Gothenburg and West Sweden. West Pride has grown as an event in which people from the UK travel to and it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to put all of Sweden in the spotlight and highlight what an amazing destination we are for LGBT travellers.”

In 2015, EuroPride was held in Riga. In 2016 it will be in Amsterdam and in 2017, EuroPride will stand back for World Pride, which will take place in Madrid.