Reykjavík Pride will hold an opening ceremony at noon today on Ingólfsstræti. The city’s pride parade has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to COVID restrictions. Nevertheless, festival board member Ragnar Veigar Guðmundsson says there will be a variety of pride events this year that will offer a little something for everyone.
“The week will be full of queerness wherever there’s room for it,” Ragnar Veigar stated in a radio interview this morning. “Of course the festival has a slightly different format compared to a normal year but we know how it has to be done in order to fall within the pandemic restrictions.”
The festival programme features everything from educational events that will be streamed online to drag performances and a drag brunch held in Gamla Bíó theatre. “For example, there’s a very interesting educational event this afternoon, a conversation between generations, in Mál og menning bookstore. Three individuals of different ages will be there talking about their queer experience around the age of 20. It’s just going to be a relaxed event with a good discussion,” Ragnar Veigar says.
Preparation for this year’s pride parade was in full swing when COVID restrictions were reimposed on July 24. Ragnar Veigar says that there are plans in the works for some form of pride celebrations in the city centre on Saturday. He stresses that all are welcome, whether they belong to the LGBT+ community or not.
