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Newsflash: There is more to Europe than London, Paris, Dublin, and Rome. That’s right, I’m getting adventurous with this one.
Parady Równośa, translated as the Equality Parade, is Warsaw’s entry into world gay culture. It is the perfect opportunity to visit one of the less-conspicuous countries of the European Union, and also see just how fast Gay Poland is coming into its own.
Warsaw, by the natives spelled Warszawa and pronounced “Varsava,” is one of the most vibrant cities of Europe’s east. The Polish capital was bombed flat in World War II, but the palaces and Old Town were meticulously reconstructed according to the original plans, and every place else was giving over to the sky-scrapers of stone and glass we see today. Split down the middle by the Vistula River, the Pride Parade (this year it falls on June 15) winds through some of the most historic streets on the western bank, the same part of town where much of the gay nightlife just so happens to be.
Note that I said “coming into its own.” Poland is part of Eastern Europe. The conservatism inspired by some 50 years of post-World War II Communist regimes did a real number on just about any sort of fun that was to be had across the entire region, so gay life in this part of the Continent is still doing a bit of catch-up compared to this side of the Iron Curtain. That being said, Warsaw is well ahead of the curve. It is a world capital, by far the most progressive city in Poland, and one of the most economically sound—which is saying something when talking about Europe. Finally, remember, this is the country that gave us kielbasa…and all the connotations that go with it. How repressed can they be?
The amount of clubs proves the point: Post-parade, the action shifts to a surprisingly diverse scene. Glam Club, M 25, Rasko, and the historic Fantom (the city’s longest running gay bar) all serve up the rainbow flag with a serious shot of Slavic pride; but it is at Toro, the premier club in Warsaw, located in the city center along Marszałkowska St, where all the sleazy fun we imperialist Westerners do oh-so well.
Go to http://paradarownosci.eu for more information. Steele Luxury Travel loves LOT Polish Airlines and we offer discounted business class airfare to Warsaw. Contact [email protected] for more details!