PRIDE WEEK 2023
5-10 JUNE 2023
Pride Week, besides empowering LGBTIQ+ persons, aims to raise the collective awareness and visibility of different sexual orientations and/or gender identities in Kosovar society. Furthermore, it aims to address issues of the current situation of LGBTIQ+ persons and fight discrimination and unequal treatment of LGBTIQ+ persons in Kosovo.
Due to continuous discrimination in a systematic way, unacceptance and exclusion from the family, society and the state, LGBTIQ+ persons deal with a high level of anxiety, stress and depression on a daily basis. As a result of all this, emotional, mental, and physical well-being is in a state of concern. Mental health is extremely important, and continuous professional support as well as unconditional love is more than necessary for LGBTIQ+ people in Kosovo. Furthermore, the state continues to not provide adequate institutional support for LGBTIQ+ people, thus avoiding the responsibility it has regarding this issue and this social group.
On its seventh edition, Pride Week will focus on the mental health of LGBTIQ+ people, so that we can support everyone who is dealing with high levels of stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.
In this edition, through the slogan “I love you as you are” we want to convey a supportive message to everyone who is dealing with challenges of high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression that are a direct consequence of systemic homophobia and transphobia by the state, society, and the family. With “I love you as you are” we want to remind everyone that they are not alone. Love, acceptance and building safe spaces, in addition to professional help are more than necessary, if not essential, for preventing and overcoming mental health challenges.
The psychological and emotional well-being of LGBTIQ+ people must be a priority of our institutions and policy-making. This Pride Week reminds us that the lives of LGBTIQ+ people matter.
Do not hesitate to seek professional psychological help by contacting the organizations below:
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Center for Equality and Liberty (CEL)
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Center for Social Group Development (CSGD)
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Life Line - Call 0800 12345, every day from 2 PM to 2 AM
PRIDE WEEK 2023
Events
18:00 - 19:00
Building of the government of the Republic of KosovoOfficial Opening of Pride Week 2023
The official opening of Pride Week will be co-organized with the Office for Good Governance, Human Rights, Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination - Prime Minister’s Office. Opening remarks: Blert Morina, Executive Director of Center for...
19:00 - 23:00
Grand Boutique Hotel, Pejton“LET’S PRIDE” Event
The “Let’s Pride” event will unite LGBTIQ+ people and allies in a cozy and comfortable environment to start Pride Week together by celebrating the diversity of LGBTIQ+ people with music, love and solidarity! Opening Remarks: Sulltanesha...
20:30 - 04:00
National Library of KosovoThe official LGBTIQ+ Flag lighting of the domes of Kosovo National Library
The LGBTIQ+ flag colors will be displaued in the domes of Kosovo National Library on June 5 at 20:30 to commemorate Pride Week's start of the week. The display of colors will begin at 20:30 and will last all night long until June 6th dawn. *The event...
10:00 - 13:00
Barabar Center, Grand Hotel, 4th floorUnveiling Justice: A Dialogue on Access to Justice for Gender Diverse Communities in Kosovo
Promoting LGBTIQ+ rights in Kosovo is a challenging struggle due to a gap between laws and societal acceptance. Political parties hesitate to address these issues, leading to migration of LGBTIQ+ individuals. This discussion aims to bridge the gap,...
13:00 - 14:30
Project Space ShtatëmbëdhjetëDiskutim Queer - Rrëfime personale për Shëndetin Mendor
Personal stories of activists and LGBTIQ+ people Xheni Karaj and Lilith Zi come as a result of the need to normalize open discussion about mental health topics. They will share with us personal challenges about mental health issues and how they overcame...
17:00 - 17:00
Barabar Center, Grand Hotel, IVth floorExhibition “Our 4 walls”
Two artists from Serbia, Jelena Vasiljevic and Minja Pavlovic come to Prishtina to show their exhibition project “Our 4 walls' '. This exhibition which has been also shown in Serbia comes as a criticism of the lack of space for exhibiting art made by...
20:00 - 22:00
Oda TheatreTheater show “Inside four walls” by Adelina Rose
“Inside four walls”, written and directed by Adelina Rose addresses the topic of mental health within the LGBTIQ+ community and its deterioration as a result of identity-based human rights violations. As a unique personal perspective, “Inside four walls”...
10:00 - 14:00
Armata CinemaConference: From Crisis to Action
09:30-10:00 – Registration of participants 10:00 - 10:20 – Opening Remarks: Arbër Nuhiu, Executive Director, Center for Social Group Development CSGD Përparim Rama - Mayor of the Municipality of Prishtina Frank Power...
20:00 - 23:00
Bubble Queer PubStand up & Karaoke
Pride Week gathers all LGBTIQ+ people to laugh and have a nice evening together as a form of resistance. Come join us for a night full of comedy and an opportunity to sing, and hear others sing. *The event will be closed for the media.
17:00 - 19:00
Bubble Queer PubQueer GRUp: Intersectionality - Feminism and LGBTIQ+ movement
The event Queer GRUp welcomes all queer women in a friendly and comfortable environment to discuss freely about the intersectional marginalization as a result of intertwined identities. Spaces for queer women are lacking, and this discussion can serve...
19:00 - 21:00
Bubble Queer PubPublication of the book: “woman warmth, woman wrath” by Uresa Ahmeti
Poet Uresa Ahmeti brings her poetry publication ‘woman warmth, woman wrath’ that deals with the subjects of love, sex, and intimacy of queer women. As the first publication of its kind, this creation is a protest for the taboos and pathologization surrounding...
20:00 - 22:00
Bubble Queer PubPoetry Night “Shout it out, Say it Loud”
“Art says what the homophobic world doesn’t want to hear”. We are all gathering to share the sounds and words that we have inside ourselves, and that are waiting to come out in a safe space with each other. Come join us, grab the microphone, because...
12:00 - 13:00
Street ActionStreet Action
Every year Pride Week is also marked with street actions. This activity aims to convey the message of the week to the citizens of Kosovo. Therefore, this year the street action will focus on the importance and combating the stigmatization of mental health,...
14:00 - 15:30
Barabar Centre, Grand Hotel, Floor IVPublication of the Regional Public Opinion Survey Report and Discussion with Regional Activists
ERA LGBTI - Equal Rights Association for the western Balkans and Turkey in partnership with IPSOS Strategic Marketing have conducted a survey to measure public attitudes and perspectives regarding LGBTIQ+ rights. The research examines personal experiences,...
18:00 - 18:30
PrishtinaInauguration of the Mural
Murals have always displayed strong political messages for social change. By displaying the mural in Prishtina, we want to give a strong message of support to all LGBTIQ+ people who are going through a difficult period as a result of mental health problems....
21:00 - 23:59
Palace of YouthDrag Show “Soaked in Pride”
Prishtina Pride once again comes with a Drag Show to celebrate the love and diversity among us. Our drag show will be the highlight of the week , featuring an extraordinary lineup of local drag performers who will dazzle you with their captivating performances....
12:00 - 12:30
OnlineVideo
This video addressing the importance of mental health will be released to mark the end of Pride Week 2023. The video serves to raise awareness as well as a collective call for equality and recognizes the diverse experiences, identities and stories of...
Pride March 2023
The gathering for the Pride Parade will begin at 16:00 in “Skënderbeu'' Square. The walk will begin at 17:00 towards the direction of the main Cathedral, and will end at the Plateau of the Palace of Youth with a speech addressing the Pride Week message...
19:00 - 23:00
Pllatoja e Pallatit të RinisëKoncerti i Prishtina Pride “Krejt bashkë!”
Line up: Yanina DJ Adrian DJ Gent *Eventi do të jetë i hapur për media.