For more information about ‘Memories of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998’, please contact Paul van Yperen, Initiative Group Gay Games Amsterdam 1998-2023.
PRESS RELEASE – 14 JULY 2022
Jubilee year 25 years Gay Games kicks off with mini-exhibition at IHLIA LGBTI Heritage
In 2023, it will be 25 years since the largest lhbti+ event ever took place in Amsterdam. During Gay Games Amsterdam 1998, the city turned pink. This will be commemorated in the first week of August this year, starting with a mini-exhibition as a kick-off. At the exhibition ‘Memories of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998’ various memories and memorabilia are on display, such as the Frau Antje costume of the Gay Games mascot. Also a website is presented with memories of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998 and the run-up to the event.
During Gay Games Amsterdam 1998, tens of thousands of gay men, lesbians and bisexuals from all over the world came to Amsterdam to take part in dozens of sports and cultural events. Internationally, the Amsterdam Gay Games are considered the most successful Gay Games ever, with over 3,000 volunteers, almost 16,000 participants and a total of around 275,000 visitors.
Memories
For the first time the story of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998 is told in the run-up to the 25th anniversary. What made the Amsterdam Gay Games so special internationally? To what revolutionary changes did the event lead? Dozens of participants, volunteers and organisers share their memories on the website https://gaygames98.ihlia.nl/.
These stories are also made visible in the exhibition ‘Memories of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998’, which can be seen on the IHLIA square during Pride 2022. Special objects are linked to funny, touching and sometimes revealing memories and photos.
Initiative group Gay Games Amsterdam 1998-2023
A group of former Gay Gamers – Marian Bakker, Marc van den Broek, Janine van Doorn en Paul van Yperen – has taken the initiative to pull this milestone of the Pink Revolution out of oblivion in 2023 and inspire new LGBTI+ generations. Together with Emma van Zalinge and IHLIA they have conceived and set up the remembrance website.
This site will be part of a small-scale but special anniversary programme that will bring the Amsterdam Gay Games back to life in 2023. The programme that will be announced in early 2023 includes congresses, exhibitions and a reunion. In addition, Paul van Yperen and Marian Bakker are working for national knowledge institute Movisie on a digital storytelling project with stories from various eyewitnesses (in Dutch).
Opening
Remembering Gay Games Amsterdam 1998 can be visited from 1-7 August at IHLIA LGBTI Heritage, 3rd floor OBA Oosterdok, Oosterdokskade 143, 1011 DL Amsterdam.
On 1 August 2022 at 17h the exhibition ‘Memories of Gay Games Amsterdam 1998’ will be opened informally. Entrance is free.