Iceland's new President to make speech at Reykjavik Pride

This is the first time that an Icelandic president takes …

This is the first time that an Icelandic president takes part in Reykjavik Pride. mbl.is/Ómar Óskarsson

President Guðni Th.Jóhannesson who signed the oath of office yesterday will be making a speech at Reykjavik Pride which takes place this week culminating in a Gay Pride parade on Saturday. This is the first time that an Icelandic President makes a speech at the event and will also be one of the first tasks which  President Jóhannesson undertakes in office.

Former president Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson declined such offers in previous years.

"We just asked him and we got this great reaction," says Eva María Þórarinsdóttir Lange, director of Reykjavik Pride to mbl.is. "He's flying from north Iceland straight to the festival."

She said that they were pleasantly surprised at his response. "I have to admit that I got goosebumps, in a good way," says Þórarinsdóttir.

Guðni Th. Jóhannesson became President of Iceland yesterday, August 1st.

Guðni Th. Jóhannesson became President of Iceland yesterday, August 1st. mbl.is/Júlíus Sigurjónsson

She adds that not only will the President be making a speech, he will also be flying the rainbow flag at the presidential offices in central Reykjavik.

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