Budapest’s Spirit of Freedom Shines in Stockholm: The City Honored for Its Support of Equality
Budapest, a city long celebrated for its grandeur, thermal baths, and cultural vibrancy, is once again in the international spotlight — this time for standing up for human rights and equality. At the prestigious QX Gala in Stockholm, one of Sweden’s most celebrated cultural events, Budapest Mayor Gergely Karácsony accepted an Honorary Award recognizing the city’s unwavering support for the Budapest Pride movement and the values it represents: freedom, equality, and human dignity.
The QX Gala is a major annual event in Sweden’s cultural calendar, spotlighting individuals and organizations that play an important role in advancing LGBTQ rights and visibility. Attended by members of the Swedish royal family and a wide international audience, the gala has previously honored figures such as Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden. This year, the recognition went to Budapest — a city where celebrating diversity has become both a festival and an act of courage.
An Award Beyond Politics
In his speech, Gergely Karácsony was quick to emphasize that the award was not about him personally. Instead, it honored the thousands who have stood by the ideals of freedom and solidarity in Hungary. He dedicated the recognition to the organizers of Budapest Pride and all citizens who believe in democracy, free expression, and the right for everyone to live safely and authentically.
“Budapest Pride is not only about the LGBTQ community,” he said. “It’s also about all of us — because if not everyone is free, then none of us truly are.”
His words resonated deeply with the international audience, underlining that the fight for equality in Hungary is part of a broader European conversation. He reminded listeners that Hungary’s soul cannot be defined by politics alone: it is a nation with a deep history of resilience, creativity, and love for liberty.
A City That Refuses to Be Silenced
The recognition in Stockholm came at a symbolic time. Back home, Mayor Karácsony faces legal pressure for publicly supporting the Budapest Pride March, which drew hundreds of thousands in 2025 — the largest in the event’s three-decade history. Prosecutors accused him of organizing the march without authorization because he publicly invited people to attend.
In his response, Karácsony was defiant: freedom of expression, he said, can never be a crime. “They want to punish me for saying that love cannot be banned,” he stated. “But we will never accept that in our country, standing up for freedom could be punished.”
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Such statements have turned the Budapest Pride into more than just a parade — it is a celebration of courage and hope in Central Europe’s heart. For many foreign visitors, it has become an inspiring symbol of how art, activism, and public spirit can flourish even amid political tension.
Budapest Pride: More Than a Parade
Over its thirty-year history, Budapest Pride has evolved into one of the region’s most significant cultural events. Each summer, rainbow flags line the boulevards of the Hungarian capital, and thousands join the march across the Danube, celebrating diversity within one of Europe’s most scenic cityscapes.
Beyond the parade itself, the Pride Festival now includes cultural programs, film screenings, and art exhibitions that showcase the city’s open-minded and creative energy. Tourists visiting Budapest during Pride Week often describe it as an unforgettable experience — one that shows a city boldly embracing the values of acceptance and solidarity, even in challenging times.
A European Spirit in the Heart of Hungary
Budapest’s presence at the QX Gala, along with the Rainbow Award 2026 in Rome, reflects the Hungarian capital’s growing international reputation as a city that protects human rights and celebrates community diversity. It also highlights a crucial message for visitors: Budapest is not just a destination of thermal baths and historic landmarks — it’s a living, breathing symbol of freedom in the heart of Europe.
For tourists exploring today’s Budapest, the city offers a layered experience. The same streets that tell the stories of empires and revolutions now also echo with music, laughter, and love during Pride season. Cafés and bars across districts like Erzsébetváros and the Danube embankment offer inclusive spaces where locals and visitors alike can meet, talk, and celebrate what truly unites them — the belief that everyone deserves to live freely.
Celebrating Freedom, Culture, and Connection
Budapest’s recognition in Stockholm is more than an award — it’s a reminder that the city continues to be a place where freedom is not just remembered, but practiced. For travelers searching for a destination that combines history and humanity, charm and courage, Budapest welcomes you with open arms. Here, diversity isn’t a slogan; it’s a way of life woven into the rhythm of the city.
Whether you visit in summer during Pride, or any other time of year, Budapest promises experiences that are as inspiring as they are liberating — a testament to its enduring spirit as Europe’s city of freedom.
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