The theme for 2023: Joy & Riot
The theme for this year is Joy and Riot. Joy highlights the happiness that our own identity and the diversity of our community can spark when we are equal, seen, and proud. Just like pride, joy acts as a counterforce to hate, injustice, and oppression in all, also internalized forms. Riot represents our right to exist, be seen, and heard – and honors our history and roots of Pride-movement.
Ei riemua ilman kapinaa – No joy without riot – Ingen gjädje utan revolt – Ii ávvudeapmi proteastta haga
Pride is both a celebration and a demonstration to defend human rights. That’s why this year’s campaign is built around joy and riot.
For the campaign, Angel Emmanuel, Catariina Salo, and Ritni Rávdnji Ráste Pieski described what joy and riot mean to them in their own languages. Slam poet Nihkee Akka, Jonna Nummela, turned these powerful and inspiring stories into one poem. During Pride week you can see and hear the faces of the campaign unashamedly and proudly claiming their own space.
Where does your joy come from? What does your riot look like? Come and claim the space that belongs to you. See you at the march on 1 July.
Do you hear the sparks of the burning world flying
on these streets we rise to dance
My riot
A pinewood forest
straight backs, heads high
My riot
A chameleon
adapts, excites, survives
My riot
claims the space
bursts through the silence like a needle
My joy
love and light air
My joy
A soft violin playing songs of peace
My joy
Baby’s toes and safe havens
No fire without smoke
No one without everyone
No joy
without riot
Get to know Angel, Catariina and Ritni
Angel Emmanuel (they/she)
My joy is for my inner child. My joy comes from my community. My riot is equity. My riot is for basic human rights. My joy and riot are for my Ancestors. For me, pride is a protest against hate in all the forms it presents itself in our society.”
– Angel Emmanuel, designer and artist
Catariina Salo (she/her)
– Catariina Salo, journalist, Miss Gay Finland 2015
Ritni Rávdnji Ráste Pieski (he/they)
For one day at Sápmi Pride, I got to be a whole me together with my community. We were able to breathe and rest. I never imagined that I could feel like that in my home community.
Growing up, I had no role models like me. I figured, if I don't speak up, who will? I did, even though I was so scared and nervous. I can say now after two years, there is much more joy and happiness than fear in my eyes.
CSV! We are still here, we are still queer! Girjáivuohta norbman! Decolonize queerness!”
– Ritni Rávdnji Ráste Pieski, a Sámi drag artist, dancer, choreographer, performing artist and activist.
Helsinki Pride 2023 event information
Helsinki Pride parade
Helsinki Pride park celebration
Here you can find all of the information regarding this year’s park celebration that is organized, by tradition, in Kaivopuisto on Saturday, July 1st, starting at 1 PM!
Helsinki Pride -events
Klaus K Hotel is the Pride House 2023
Within the same walls, the Pride House will host discussions, performances, workshops and a wide range of other events from 26 June to 2 July, Monday to Sunday. Free admission for all participants!
The Pride House will also host the Helsinki Pride Info & Shop, where you can find official Pride merchandise. This year, the Pride House will be proudly hosted by Klaus K Hotel throughout Pride week.
Helsinki Pride partners 2023
Our awesome partners are involved in promoting equality and equity: both by enabling Helsinki Pride -event, and by supporting our year-round human rights work.
