Oslo Pride cancels street festival over coronavirus fears
The Local Norway - [email protected]
Published: 2 Apr, 2020 CET.
Updated: Thu 2 Apr 2020 11:25 CET
Oslo Pride has cancelled this year's street parade, announcing plans to instead celebrate the city's gay, lesbian and transgender people with a virtual festival.
Fredrik Dreyer, Chairman of Oslo Pride, said that in the current "frightening and unreal" situation, it was impossible to go ahead with the physical festival which had been due to take place between June 19 and June 28.
"It is our absolute last resort and we have turned over every stone in the hunt for a possible solution, including a postponement or a change in date," Dreyer said in a press release
"It would not be responsible for us to hold the physical events during Oslo Pride given the dangers posed in terms of spreading infection.
"Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean there will be no Pride - there will! We are far more than just a festival - and you’ll see that this year too."
The decision to cancel a parade in mid-June will raise further questions over the government's delay in taking a decision over the children's parades that form the centre of National Day celebrations on May 17.
"We know that this is a decision we have to take, but we want to know a little more first," Justice Minister Monica Mæland said in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
As many as 450,000 people take place in the city's Pride march every year, making it one of the most colourful and well-attended events in the city each year.
In the press release, Dreyer said that his organisation was already planning "alternative events to show the strength of our community".
"We will be live-streaming debates to showcase the breadth of our movement and the diversity in our community. We will continue to make our mark as norm breakers across all social media, and we want you on board too!" he said.
Ole Prin-Sand, Head of Pride Art, said he was "heartbroken" that the physical festival had been cancelled.
"But we are excited about and see great potential in engaging with an audience across the country through the use of digital solutions," he said.
Comments
See Also
Fredrik Dreyer, Chairman of Oslo Pride, said that in the current "frightening and unreal" situation, it was impossible to go ahead with the physical festival which had been due to take place between June 19 and June 28.
"It is our absolute last resort and we have turned over every stone in the hunt for a possible solution, including a postponement or a change in date," Dreyer said in a press release
"It would not be responsible for us to hold the physical events during Oslo Pride given the dangers posed in terms of spreading infection.
"Nevertheless, this doesn’t mean there will be no Pride - there will! We are far more than just a festival - and you’ll see that this year too."
The decision to cancel a parade in mid-June will raise further questions over the government's delay in taking a decision over the children's parades that form the centre of National Day celebrations on May 17.
"We know that this is a decision we have to take, but we want to know a little more first," Justice Minister Monica Mæland said in a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.
As many as 450,000 people take place in the city's Pride march every year, making it one of the most colourful and well-attended events in the city each year.
In the press release, Dreyer said that his organisation was already planning "alternative events to show the strength of our community".
"We will be live-streaming debates to showcase the breadth of our movement and the diversity in our community. We will continue to make our mark as norm breakers across all social media, and we want you on board too!" he said.
Ole Prin-Sand, Head of Pride Art, said he was "heartbroken" that the physical festival had been cancelled.
"But we are excited about and see great potential in engaging with an audience across the country through the use of digital solutions," he said.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.