4 May 2021
We have today acknowledged the decision on major events but sounded concern at the overly-cautious approach which goes against the government’s own expert group who advised last month that ‘all restrictions could be lifted when people above 16 have been offered a vaccine’. The vaccine calendar states that this should be achieved by the end of July.
Copenhagen 2021 is going ahead
Copenhagen 2021 – which begins 100 days from today and takes place from 12-22 August – will work within the regulations and will be going ahead. The regulations state that major events can go ahead from 1 August, as long as capacity is capped at 5,000 and people are divided into separate areas with a 500 capacity.
Attendees would also need proof of vaccine or a recent negative test. Events can be scaled up in size if the vaccine roll-out and general pandemic situation improves.
Chair of Copenhagen 2021, Katja Moesgaard, noted the government’s announcement, saying:
“With 100 days to go until the start of our event we are pleased to finally have some clarity about the regulations, but disappointed that such a cautious and conservative decision has been made. Copenhagen 2021 is the biggest and most significant LGBTI+ event ever held in Scandinavia, and with the clarity we now have our focus is on the three months ahead. In the coming weeks we will publish more detail on how we will accommodate for these regulations.
In the meantime we urge political leaders and the government to reconsider the regulations on a weekly basis to explore every option to safely increase the number of participants to allow more people to join us to campaign and celebrate equality. This is a unique event that will not be repeated in our lifetime and it is a vital opportunity for Denmark to shine as a global beacon of equality.”
Katja Moesgaard acknowledged the devastating effect of the announcement on events forced to cancel including Roskilde Festival, Northside, Tinderbox and Copenhell. “We have all been living through huge uncertainty for months, and I know how disappointed their organisers will be this morning. Our whole team’s thoughts are with them,” she said.
Aside from 12 nights of concerts at Rådhuspladsen and the WorldPride Parade, events include human rights events at Øksnehallen, Christiansborg and UN City, sports tournaments across the city and a Sports Village at Islands Brygge, with culture events at Gammel Strand, Huset KBH and Rådhushaven.
Last month we announced plans for a major digital presentation of our events, with many events livestreamed online for a global audience.
Please note: Different regulations and restrictions apply in relation to our events in Malmö, Sweden. Please visit our COVID19 page for more information.
Image: Getty