Kaunas Pride march to return to Freedom Avenue in September with 5,000 participants

The Kaunas Pride march will take place on September 12 in Kaunas, with organisers expecting up to 5,000 participants, municipal authorities confirmed to LRT.lt.

The event will begin at the square near Kaunas Cathedral, with participants marching along one side of Freedom Avenue to E. Ožeškienės Street before returning along the opposite side to Independence Square. The march will conclude with a gathering between St. Michael the Archangel (Garrison) Church and the Mykolas Žilinskas Art Gallery.

Kaunas City Municipality issued a coordination permit for the event on May 30, allowing simultaneous participation of up to 5,000 people. Organisers have promised to release further details soon.

This will be the second Kaunas Pride march in the city. The first, held in 2021 under the slogan “We Are Everywhere,” initially expected around 1,000 attendees but drew double that number, according to police estimates. The event faced opposition, with counter-protesters gathering along the route and minor scuffles breaking out near the Freedom Avenue fountain. Police maintained a strong presence to ensure order.

Five years ago, organisers encountered resistance when first applying for a permit. The municipality initially refused, requiring two unfavourable court rulings before ultimately approving the march and its route along Freedom Avenue.