Sofia Pride

Sofia Pride 2024, the largest event advocating for human rights in Bulgaria, is scheduled to take place at Prince Alexander I Batenberg Square on June 22. This new venue will host the pre-march concert, featuring some of Bulgaria's top musical talents, providing a platform for young artists to perform in front of thousands.

Sofia Pride was held in the Bulgarian capital for the 16th year in a row. There was a concert in the Prince's Garden, which was followed by a peace procession.

For the first time, the event was openly supported by 11 Bulgarian families, who invited everyone to join Pride Parade as a sign of support for people from the LGBTIQ+ community.

Today, the Bulgarian capital will host the 16th edition of "Sofia Pride" in defense of the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community. Last year's event was entitled "Proud to be" and gathered nearly 15,000 people. This year, the organizers chose to focus the event on the family.

People attending the Pride Parade in Sofia, Bulgaria, 18 June 2022. Photo: EPA-EFE/VASSIL DONEV

On Thursday, the movie, telling the semi-autobiographical story of two 13-year old boys whose friendship turns sour after homophobic remarks at their school, will be screened in Sofia's Odeon hall.

A protest by extreme nationalists prevented a screening at the "Odeon" cinema on Saturday (June 10) as part of the Sofia Pride Film Fest, reported organizers from the "Deistvie" Organization. It is part of the cultural program of "Sofia Pride", the biggest event of the LGBTQ+ community in Sofia and Bulgaria. The procession will take place on June 17.

Thousands joined Sofia Pride 2022. The march in support of the LGBTQ + community (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer people) is being held for the 15th time in a row under the title "Proud to be".

The event took place under heavy police guard.

Sofia Pride marks its 15th edition this week with various activities, including exhibitions, film screenings and, on Saturday June 18, an open-air concert featuring some of the best-known local performers followed by a march for equal rights. 

"Let's be proud" - this will be the motto of the 15th anniversary of "Sofia Pride", which will be held on June 18 this year in the capital of Bulgaria - Sofia.

As usual in recent years, in the week before the Pride, there will be a number of events of the LGBTQ+ community in our country. Exhibitions, sporting events, film screenings start on June 8 in Sofia.

Sofia received the title of "World Capital of Sport" for 2024.

Participants taking part in Sofia Pride in the Bulgarian capital, 18 June 2016. EPA/STR

The event is taking place after several cases of homophobic assaults in Sofia, Plovdiv and Burgas, which many activists blame on hardened far-right rhetoric ahead of the July 11 general elections.