Bari Pride

Bari Pride was a very important moment of solidarity and pride. The event consisted of all of us taking part together in the parade organized by the Baripride association, under the sponsorship of the City of Bari, the Region of Puglia and Aldo Modo University, on the occasion of Pride Month. We members gave to the Erasmus members posters with a variety of phrases and glitter, so that they would feel as involved as possible. There were about 20 international students alongside whom we marched the entire way, all of whom were very enthusiastic and happy to be able to freely participate in such an event without the fear of being judged and feeling like themselves. We all sang and danced together as we marched through the city, introduced ourselves to the mayor, and proudly displayed our section flag so as to emphasize concrete support for the international LGBTQ+ community. The activity was sponsored both through whatsapp channels on the relevant Erasmus groups and on the section's Instagram page, so as to reach as many people as possible. The event we decided to join as Erasmus Student Netwrok Bari is one of the most important inclusive events at the regional level, which is why many members felt the need to stand up for the cause and show the institutions whose side we proudly chose to be on. Many Erasmus had never participated in such an event in their own countries, and they were all delighted to have experienced an afternoon of freedom and love with us volunteers. One Belgian Erasmus in particular, weeks later, thanked us with tears in his eyes for giving him the opportunity to take part in an event where he was able to express himself in every form, which was also made special because he experienced it with people who were there because they wanted to be there, and not because they had to.