Reykjavik Pride


Reykjavík Pride is Iceland's largest human rights festival, focused on LGBT+ issues. The festival has been held annually in Reykjavík since 1999.
WWW hinsegindagar.is/en

History

The first queer celebration in Reykjavík, a queer weekend, was held by Samtökin '78 in 1999 with a program at Ingólfstorg square. About 1,500 visitors attended to commemorate the 30 years anniversary of the Stonewall riots. A year later, in August 2000, the first Pride Parade was held in Reykjavík, which was given the Icelandic name Gleðigangan and was part of a three-day celebrations in Reykjavík. Reykjavik Pride had then been founded as an independent organisation under the leadership of Heimir Már Pétursson and Þorvaldar Kristinsson. Previously, freedom marches had taken place in Reykjavík in 1993 and 1994 where gays and lesbians demanded equality. The attendance of the first Reykjavík Pride Parade was beyond expectations and it has been stated that up to 12,000 visitors attended the city centre. Since then, Reykjavík Pride has been held annually in the Reykjavík, the festival's program is longer and the number of events has increased. Today, Reykjavík Pride is Iceland's biggest annual festival, with over 100,000 guests visiting the city centre during the Pride Parade.

Leaders of Reykjavik Pride

  • Helga Haraldsdóttir, President from 2023
  • Gunnlaugur Bragi Björnsson, President 2021–2023
  • Ásgeir Helgi Magnússon, President 2020–2021
  • Vilhjálmur Ingi Vilhjálmsson, President 2020
  • Gunnlaugur Bragi Björnsson, President 2018–2020
  • Eva María Þórarinsdóttir Lange, President 2012–2018
  • Heimir Már Pétursson, Director 1999–2011
  • Þorvaldur Kristinsson, President 1999–2012

Dates

Next festival

  • 5–10 August 2025

Previous festivals