Five reasons to visit Sweden for Europride 2018
The event will be the first time two Swedish cities co-host
By Steve Brown
Pride in Sweden have always been well known for their political focus; activism and sense of community, but also it’s a whole load of fun.
This year at the end of July and August, Sweden is proud to host the granddaddy of all Prides in the region, as Europride (www.europride2018.com) comes to Stockholm and Gothenburg, the first time two cities will co-host the event.
It all kicks off in Stockholm on July 27, the event will host more seminars that you can ever imagine, 400 in fact; two banging pride parades and three weeks of activism and celebration.
With the Stockholm celebrations culminating on August 5, Gothenburg will take over from the 14th and the whole thing will finish on August 19. The official EuroPride parade will be hosted by WestPride in Gothenburg on August 18.
We all know that Sweden’s is one of the world’s most LGBTQ-friendly countries and is a fascinating place to visit when it comes to design, food and abundant nature, but if you’re on the fence as to whether you want to head over to join the Pride revelry, here are five additional reasons that might just tip you over to booking a flight to Stockholm or Gothenburg for the landmark event.
1. Mr Gay Sweden
The finals of Mr. Gay Sweden will be held on the August 4 in Stockholm, hosted by Drag Race Superstar Alyssa Edwards. Winners of the heats from all the different region will compete in what is a fantastic and fun-filled pageant of diversity.
2. Bananarama plays a theme park
Meanwhile in Gothenburg, the Liseberg theme park will offer Pride bracelet holders free entry from 6pm daily during Europride week. On August 14, the headline act will be none other than 80s girl-group – the fab trio that is Bananarama.
3. Human rights conference
Always one to ensure that good-times is matched with doing-good, Stockholm Pride will hold a fascinating conference on human rights at the Kulturhuset Stadsteatern.
4. Culture vulture
The Gothenburg portion of Europride coincides with the amazing Gotegborgs Kulturkalas, the Gothenburg Cultural Festival, the biggest event of arts and culture across all of Scandinavia, featuring 1,300 events and 1.5 million visitors all over the city.
5. Sweden knows how to throw a party.
Eurovision 2016 in Stockholm, hosted by winner Mans Zelmerlow and the legendary Petra Mede, is a point in case. Need we say more?
For more gay inspiration on Sweden, visit www.visitswedenlgbt.com or follow the conversation at #SwedenYoureWelcome