On Saturday November 2, two women in love will say yes to each other during the WATH – We Are The Hague – festival. Alderman Marjolein de Jong (including culture) will conclude the pink wedding.

On Saturday, November 2, at noon in the Nieuwe Kerk aan het Spui, the dream of Monique and Jadra in love will come true: they will tie the knot. Alderman Marjolein de Jong leads the moving ceremony, after which Reverend Barbara Rogoski gives a warm, religious blessing. After the popping corks of the foaming champagne, the party starts during this indoor pride that has a day program and an evening/night program. “With this unique happening we celebrate that gays, bisexuals and lesbians in the Netherlands have the freedom and equality to get married. Something that is unfortunately not self-evident in many other countries,” says Luuk Wessels, co-organizer of WATH. “It's fantastic that various organizations are showing that they are in favor of equal human rights. Hivos, COC Haaglanden, SOA Centrum, Internationale Roze Kerk, Bob Angelo, Secret Singer Songwriter Society, Workplace Pride, Café de Landman, Expreszo all contribute to this special day.”

The WATH festival, which consists of performances, debates, workshops, films and parties, has a clear goal. Wessels: “We want to increase emancipation and tolerance. Unknown makes unloved. You remove prejudice by being visible and meeting each other. That is why there is also a special program for young people, where gay, bisexual and heterosexual young people participate in fun workshops, for example dancing with Kyra and Trijntje or a fascinating debate led by Sipke Jan Bousema. There is also an international program, after all 40.000 expats live in The Hague, who can get to know our gay culture in this way. We hope everyone enjoys it and realizes: we are all equal… and together we can make something beautiful out of it!”

Also spectacular: a pop up restaurant! Set up by Resto Van Harte. Frits Huffnagel receives guests during a dinner show and television chef Mathijs Vrieze prepares dishes. The award-winning initiative Resto Van Harte brings (lonely) local residents together for an affordable meal. In the afternoon, the public can also enjoy the most beautiful and famous musical numbers for an hour, sung live by musical stars Nurlaila Karim, Tessa Sunniva and Daniel van Schaick. This is presented by Thom Goderie, Mister Gay Netherlands. In the evening there are parties at three locations: Popcake, Soulheaven and OnHeelz. Most famous artists are Paul Turner, RednPink (UK), Sway, Micky Kieboom and Alessandro.

Entrance is per half day is € 7,50 and tickets are in presale via www.wearethehague.nl or the box office of Theater aan het Spui.