A colorful river flooded the streets of downtown Athens today as part of this year’s Athens Pride, held in Kotzia Square.

With the central slogan “Once upon a time” a crowd of people gathered early in Kotzia Square holding flags in the colors of the rainbow to participate in the actions and events of Athens Pride. Shortly after 19:30 in the afternoon, the parade started from Kotzia Square to the sounds of drums and music and with the participation of floats and LGBTI collectives and organizations. The people who participated headed to the Parliament and then returned to Kotzia Square, sending a resounding message against discrimination and prejudice against LGBTI people for another year, while in the center of the march/parade there was a large flag in the colors of the rainbow .

“Once upon a time… I wasn’t afraid. I was not afraid to exist, to be happy, to live. I wasn’t afraid to be me.”

As always, this particular tale is read in closed closets, written in hidden diaries and confided in nowhere… until now. Why now… Fairytales are over.

On June 10th we will take to the streets like every year, to celebrate, remember and claim the life that is due to us:

To have our families in the light,

to love freely, without shame,

to own our bodies,

for us to decide for ourselves,

so that we don’t get murdered in the streets,

not to fear for our lives,

so we can tell our children…

“Once upon a time… I applied and I succeeded,” the organizers’ announcement states, among other things.

The political presence was also strong as, among others, the president of SYRIZA-PS, Alexis Tsipras, with party officials, the head of the ND Statehood ballot Irini Agapidaki and other party officials, from PASOK-KINAL, were in Kotzia Square. Pavlos Christidis. Also present were the vice-president of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, the mayor of Athens, Kostas Bakoyannis, and heads of diplomatic delegations in Greece.

After the completion of the parade, concerts and other events follow with the participation of many artists. Specifically participating: the rap musician Mi55t, the comedian Chryssa Katsarini for a stand-up show, Spyros Gramenos, Bessy Argyraki, and finally, Eleni Tsaligopoulou who performs the main concert of the evening.

The presenter of the evening was Giorgos Kapoutzidis.