Thousands of Serbian Orthodox marched against Europride in the streets of Belgrade
Sylvie Claire / August 29, 2022
Thousands of Orthodox faithful marched Sunday night in Belgrade to warn against the possible holding of the Europride, despite the decision of the authorities to cancel this large gathering of the LGBTQ community scheduled for September.
Carrying icons, crosses and religious flags, the demonstrators marched through the city center praying and singing and gathered in front of St. Sava's Cathedral, an AFP photographer reported.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Saturday that he had decided, in consultation with the government, that this march, organized as part of a large annual pan-European event, would be postponed or cancelled.
He explained that it was not possible to manage everything at a time when Serbia is facing a difficult crisis in Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008, never recognized by Belgrade.
But Marko Mihailovic, a coordinator of the Europride scheduled in Belgrade from September 12 to 18, said: The march will take place as planned on September 17.
Speaking to the crowd on Sunday, Bishop Nikanor of the Serbian Orthodox Church welcomed the decision to cancel what he called a desecration of our country, our church and our family.
The bishop said, according to images broadcast on the news website Glas Javnosti, that the faithful were ready to take to the streets again to stand in front of those who intend to destroy the values of Serbia.
The first two pride marches in Belgrade, in 2001 and 2010, were marred by violence. The parade has been organized regularly since 2014 but with a large force of law enforcement.