​Pride in the city Guys, I'm back and very glad to see your n | Amsterdammer in English

​Pride in the city

Guys, I'm back and very glad to see your numbers increased in my absence! While I'm digesting everything that has happened in the world in the last 2 weeks, and the second shot of Pfizer as well (which was completely devoid of any side effects by the way), I'll tell you about the main event in Amsterdam this summer - the 25th-anniversary edition of Pride Amsterdam, to be held from July 31 to August 8.

I hope you know that Amsterdam Pride has long been more than just a parade; it's a real festival. Although many events have had to be cancelled, this year's programme is packed full of them (including some free of charge): from exhibitions and brunches to guided tours and lectures. My attention was particularly drawn to the seminar on raising urban awareness, the lecture 'Sexual Diversity in Nature' from Artis Royal Zoo, and the special church service at Amsterdam's oldest church Oude Kerk.

And here's how the city itself will change in support of Pride:
- there will be rainbow buses and a tram, not just for the week, but for the rest of the year
- Westerkerk - the West Church - will be illuminated in rainbow colours and open to the public every day from 11.00 to 15.00 (pictured below)
- for the duration of Pride, The Student Hotel on Wibautstraat will be renamed The Pride Hotel and will become a venue for various events, including, for example, lectures by Pride University, an initiative of Amsterdam universities aimed at finding solutions and suggestions for more inclusive educational programmes.

Unfortunately, the famous Canal Parade event has been cancelled this time, but there will still be a Pride Walk on August 7 with social distance maintained, the route will be announced later.