The Luxembourg Pride was created in 1999 and will be celebrated for the 25nd time in 2024 and, since 2010, for the 14th time in a row in Esch-sur-Alzette, the iron metropolis. The festival is organised by the non-profit organisation Rosa Lëtzebuerg, a voluntary organisation which since its foundation in 1996 has been defending the rights of LGBT people living in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.
Let’s go back to the beginning of the festival in 1999 when a few enthusiasts from the Rosa Lëtzebuerg asbl decided to gather at the Place du Théâtre in Luxembourg City to raise awareness about homosexuality among the general public. Gradually the few information stands gave way to a larger event on the Place d’Armes. In 2009 the Gaymat passed the threshold of 1000 visitors.
In 2010 the organizers decided to change the concept of the Gaymat. With a change of site from Luxembourg-City to Esch-sur-Alzette, Gaymat has taken on another dimension and it has been transformed into a real festival, offering a complete programme over a whole week: exhibitions, political debates, scientific colloquiums, film screenings, round tables and a closing evening.
In 2016 we were able to gather some 5000 visitors from Luxembourg and the Greater Region, as well as welcome groups from Cologne and Paris. The target audience is not only the LGBT community, but we were able to count an increasing number of passers-by and tourists, as well as visitors attracted by the diversity of our programme.
The Gaymat festival has become a fixed appointment not only for members of the LGBT community, but has also become one of the key dates for socio-cultural events in Luxembourg. Thanks to a partnership with the City of Esch-sur-Alzette, we plan to further develop the festival to promote conviviality, tolerance and the fight against all forms of discrimination!
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the pride, a rebranding has been decided. The festival that was known as GayMat is now celebrated under the name Luxembourg Pride.
Due to the convid-19 pandemic, it was decided in 2020 that the festival would only take place in digital form. For the year 2021 again, a version with physical presecne is planned.
This was broadcast as a live stream on the OutTV channels. With the introduction of the CovidCeck system, a Pride could be organised again in 2021, where spectators were possible, and at the same time all events were also broadcast live via the internet.
In 2022, we are looking forward to another Pride Week with a special twist: Luxembourg Pride is an official partner of the programme of the European Capital of Culture Esch2022.