EuroPride kicks off in Amsterdam this weekend

From Saturday Amsterdam will be hosting EuroPride, the European version of Gay Pride. This year the festival consists of over 200 activities, conferences and debates under the motto is "Join our freedom, feel free to join us", the Telegraaf reports.

EuroPride was held for the first time in 1991. Every year a different European city plays host to the festival for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

This year EuroPride kicks off on the 39th edition of Pink Saturday, held in a different Dutch city every year. This year is in Amsterdam for the first time since 1994. All kinds of activities will be held in Vondelpark during the day. In the evening there will be a Pride Walk from Vondelpark to Dam square. This march serves as a signal against homophobia and anti-gay violence, and for tolerance and acceptance.

On Dam Square the Pink Saturday baton will be handed over to the mayor of Den Bosch, where Pink Saturday will be held next year. Then EuroPride will kick off with the official opening ceremony. The festival goes on until August 7th. EuroPride is being organized by Amsterdam Gay Pride this year. On Saturday, August 6th, Amsterdam's canals will be filled with floats and boats for the traditional Canal Parade.

This Sunday there will also be a human rights concert on Dam square. Performers include Candy Dulfer, Trijntje Oosterhuis, Alvain Clark, O'G3NE, Anita Meijer and Conchita Wurst, who was named one of this year's Europride Ambassadors. The concert kicks off at 4:00 p.m.

Earlier this week the city of Amsterdam announced that the authorities are being "extra alert" on security during EuropPride, especially after terrorist attacks in Nice and Brussels. On Tuesday a group of Amsterdam residents appeared in court demanding that the municipality take more measures to prevent disruption and nuisance during the event.