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Amsterdam Rainbow Dress

The Amsterdam Rainbow Dress is a project and piece of art, initiated in 2016 by Mattijs van Bergen, Arnout van Krimpen, Jochem Kaan and Oeri van Woezikln. The dress features the flags of all countries where homosexuality is punished by law, possibly by death. Whenever a country changes their laws and homosexuality is no longer seen as a threat, the flag of that country will be replaced with a rainbow flag. The ultimate goal is to have one big rainbow dress, meaning that queer people can live without fear throughout the world.

Esch-sur-Alzette, located in the south of Luxembourg, is the European Capital of culture 2022 under the slogan "Remix Cultures" and is the home city of the Luxembourg Pride. The name Esch dates to 1328 and has remained a relatively small town until the 1820-30s when the metal industry settled in the region. The typical red color and the name Rouges" or "Red Lands" respectively. Esch quickly became the 2nd biggest city of Luxembourg and attracted many foreigners and today, the city counts 110 different nationalities. The city has suffered greatly the last 100 years: the cruelty of both world wars and the fall of the steel industry in the 1970s have caused severe economic damage to the region. Despite these setbacks, Esch has never given up its fight. Due to its long history of social and economic struggle, its diverse cultures and Esch being the center of innovation and progress, it offers the perfect setting to display the Amsterdam Rainbow Dress. The LGBTIQ+ community is characterized by social struggles, our fight for equality and the right to be who we are as it is a human right.

The dress was captured by Pit Reding in 2021 in Esch-sur-Alzette with the luxembourgish singer Edsun wearing it. In July 2022, Edsun was performing while waering the Rainbow Dress at the commemoration ceremony in Esch-surAlzette.

Amsterdam Rainbow Dress

2021

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