Montreal's Pride Festival kicks off this week with over 100 events through August 15, culminating in a spectacular nighttime finale atop a city landmark.
Faced with changing pandemic protocols, organizers have pivoted away from the usual outdoor gathering in Faubourgs Park, and last year’s fully virtual edition, instead planning a hybrid series of one-of-a-kind events.
“Quality has improved a lot and there’s this mix of having events with the public. It's going to be different from last year, and from any other year actually,” said Jean-François Perrier, Pride's interim general director.
"The pandemic hasn’t been easy for anyone, but it has been especially isolating for 2SLGBTQ+ communities. It was paramount for Pride to bring our communities together this year. We want it to be a Pride for the people, by the people," he said.
Uncertainty caused by the pandemic meant in-person events, like Pride staple Mundo Disko, had to stay virtual. But that offered organizers an opportunity to get creative and to go bigger than ever.
“It’s an event like nothing we’ve ever done before,” said Perrier.