Copenhagen invites tourists to get married during Eurovision
The City of Copenhagen is offering those visiting the city for this year’s Eurovision Song Contest the chance to get married in massive open-air weddings during the run up to the Grand Final on May 10. Couples, both gay and straight, will be offered a choice of three venues in the city on the 7th, 9th or 10th of May.
As hosts of this year’s Eurovision, Denmark is aiming to top last year’s contest in Finland. During that show, Krista Siegfried, who sang “Marry Me” for Finland, wore a wedding dress and kissed one of her female backup dancers on stage, making headlines across the continent.
“Since 2010, we have had a lot of success marrying same- and opposite-sex pairs in the open air at selected locations in Copenhagen,” said the director of Copenhagen’s Citizen Service, Thomas Jakobsen. “As a city, we put a lot of effort into making everyone welcome and the Eurovision Song Contest is an excellent opportunity to offer weddings.”
“In 1989, Copenhagen City Hall performed the world’s first ever civil partnership,” Søren Lauersen, Chairperson of LGBT Denmark, explained. “Now, 25 years later, the City of Copenhagen will once again play host to diversity with wedding arrangements in the city. I am sure that many couples, gay and straight from both home and abroad will accept this offer.”
Denmark’s plans are sure to raise a few eyebrows among the 37 nations competing this year — not least from Russia, which participates in the Eurovision Song Contest. Russia is still facing intense international criticism for its gay-propaganda laws, which restrict gay and straight people from openly discussing LGBT issues or even declaring their sexuality.
Watch Krista Siegfried’s performance below, as well as a few choice highlights to give you a taste of Europe’s campiest night.
Ukraine’s Verka Serduchka in 2007.
Deen for Boznia and Herzegovina. No, we don’t know what was happening in 2004 either.
Romania’s 2013 entry, Cezar. Just… just watch. You won’t expect it.
Finally, Sweden’s amazing “halftime” show from last year which filled time between the live performances and the voting results. It pokes fun at Swedish stereotypes and also featured a same-sex kiss, this time in a choreographed same-sex wedding.
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