May 4, 2021
With 100 Days to Go, WorldPride and EuroGames Forge Ahead
Matthew Wexler READ TIME: 2 MIN.
Will the Pride flag fly at half-mast this summer as organizers cope with the fall-out of capacity restrictions at Copenhagen 2021 WorldPride and EuroGames, scheduled for August 12-22? Not quite, but the response to the government restrictions has ruffled the feathers of the stalwart Scandinavian organizers.
A May 4 press release "acknowledged the decision on major events but sounded concern at what they describe as an 'overly-cautious approach' which goes against the government's own expert group who advised last month that 'all restrictions could be lifted when people above 16 have been offered a vaccine'. The vaccine calendar states that this should be achieved by the end of July."
Plenty of festivities can still be had, with regulations stating event capacity capped at 5,000 with attendees divided into separate areas with a 500-person capacity. Those planning to attend (U.S. travelers are still waiting on specifics on the lift of E.U. travel restrictions) will need to provide vaccine proof or a recent negative COVID test.
"With 100 days to go until the start of our event, we are pleased to finally have some clarity about the regulations but disappointed that such a cautious and conservative decision has been made," said Chair of Cophenhagen Katja Moesgaard. "Copenhagen 2021 is the biggest and most significant LGBTI+ event ever held in Scandinavia, and with the clarity, we now have our focus is on the three months ahead. In the coming weeks we will publish more detail on how we will accommodate for these regulations."
"In the meantime, we urge political leaders and the government to reconsider the regulations on a weekly basis to explore every option to safely increase the number of participants to allow more people to join us to campaign and celebrate equality," Moesgaard continued. "This is a unique event that will not be repeated in our lifetime, and it is a vital opportunity for Denmark to shine as a global beacon of equality."
Moesgaard acknowledged the devastating effect of the announcement on events forced to cancel, including Roskilde Festival, Northside, Tinderbox and Copenhell. "We have all been living through huge uncertainty for months, and I know how disappointed their organizers will be this morning. Our whole team's thoughts are with them," she said.
Aside from 12 nights of concerts at Rådhuspladsen and the WorldPride Parade, events include human rights events at Øksnehallen, Christiansborg and UN City, sports tournaments across the city and a Sports Village at Islands Brygge, with culture events at Gammel Strand, Huset KBH and Rådhushaven.
Organizers have already announced plans for a major digital presentation of their event, with many events livestreamed online for a global audience.
Matthew Wexler is EDGE's Senior Editor, Features & Branded Content. More of his writing can be found at www.wexlerwrites.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @wexlerwrites.
