Ander Strand - Jarne Van Loon & Freek De Craecker

A passionate celebration of freedom and activism In 1978, the Ghent-based Rooie Vlinder, a radical gay rights organisation, organised Belgium’s very first Pride event. It was both a celebration and a protest. The organisation fought for equal rights and thus played a crucial role within the LGBTQIA+ community at the time. Empowered by the legacy of the Rooie Vlinder, a range of queer artists in Ander Strand reinterpret their past through a contemporary lens. A variety of disciplines come together in this retelling of an unknown history. They attempt to create a festive, activist ritual that fulfills the desire for connection, community, and the search for identity and freedom, in a world full of uncertainty and oppression. After the performance, we invite everyone to walk in the procession, but participation is entirely optional. The performance itself lasts 80 minutes, and the procession with speeches will last about 40 minutes.