Organisers expect hundreds of thousands to attend Berlin's annual Christopher Street Day (CSD) Pride march, which begins shortly before midday and will pass the Victory Column before ending at the Brandenburg Gate. Pop singer Sarah Connor is scheduled to perform in the evening, and the two-day event began on Friday evening. This year’s motto is "Having convictions is hot." Police are preparing for far-right counter-protests, with a registered counter-demonstration of about 100 people.
Berlin Gears Up for Massive Pride Parade as Christopher Street Day Draws Hundreds of Thousands
FILE PHOTO - Participants celebrate in front of the Brandenburg Gate at the 47th Berlin Pride, the Christopher Street Day (CSD) demonstration. (is associated with: «Hundreds of thousands expected at Berlin's Pride parade») Bernd von Jutrczenka/dpa
Organisers expect hundreds of thousands to descend on Berlin on Saturday for the city's annual Pride march, known locally as Christopher Street Day (CSD).
The demonstration is scheduled to begin shortly before midday and will follow a route through the vast Tiergarten park, passing the Victory Column before finishing at the Brandenburg Gate.
Pop singer Sarah Connor is due to take the stage in the evening, providing entertainment as the parade celebration continues into the night.
"Having convictions is hot." This year's motto underscores both celebration and political expression at the heart of the event.
The Berlin CSD is one of the largest gatherings for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, intersex and queer community in Europe and attracts local residents and international visitors alike.
The CSD commemorates the 1969 events in New York when police raided the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street. The raids sparked several days of uprisings by gay men, lesbians and transgender people and helped ignite a global rights movement.
This year's Berlin celebration spans two days and began on Friday evening, with a full programme of demonstrations, performances and community events planned through the weekend.
Police say they expect far-right counter-protests on Saturday. A counter-demonstration has been registered, with organisers reporting around 100 participants, and authorities have said they will be on hand to maintain public safety and ensure the march can proceed peacefully.
The CSD combines festive celebration with political advocacy, drawing attention to LGBTQ+ rights while marking an important moment in modern civil-rights history.
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