Other events in Baltic States

The so-called Friendship Days or Riga Gay Pride in May 2009 will be organized on a much larger scale than in the previous years – this time sexual minorities from Latvia will be joined by representatives from the other two Baltic countries in the traditional parade and other events of the Friendship Days.

Linda Freimane, Chairwoman of the non-governmental organization "Mozaika" – the alliance of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transsexuals and their friends – told LETA that next year the Friendship Days will take place on May 17 and May 18.

Freimane could not yet give an exact number of participants, but she underlined that the number will definitely be larger than in the previous years. Yesterday and the day before, "Mozaika" had meetings with representatives of sexual minorities' organizations from Estonia and Lithuania to discuss the Friendship Days' program.

The Riga Gay Pride organizers plan to invite politicians from all three countries to the Friendship Days, and also invite musicians from all the Baltic countries to perform and participate at the planned events.

It was decided that after 2009, the annual Friendship Days will be a rotating event passed from one Baltic capital to another.