UNITED IN PEACE AND DIVERSITY

The big closing parade of this year's Christopher Street Day will take place on 25 October 2025: A public event that for years has stood for the recognition of diversity, the right to self-determination and the defence of democracy and human dignity. This year, the 17th CSD Cottbus & Niederlausitz is deliberately organised under the motto United in Peace and Diversity and invites people to publicly stand up for these values.

Cottbus/Chóśebuz has always been a place of encounter and change. People from different regions and cultures have found a common home here over the centuries. Today, our city is characterised by its diversity in science, culture, sport and everyday life. This openness and internationality are part of our identity and characterise our future. We are committed to the fundamental values of our community: human dignity, equality, diversity, tolerance, democracy and the rule of law. These guiding principles are at the heart of our local commitment, which was reaffirmed in the Cottbus Declaration .

The CSD in Cottbus/Chóśebuz is under particular pressure this year due to planned counter-actions and calls for disruption. Freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are among the indispensable elements of our democratic culture; they protect both the CSD gatherings and every other peaceful event. We call on you not to misuse the freedom of assembly to marginalise or incite hatred. We firmly distance ourselves from right-wing extremism, queerophobia, racism and any form of marginalisation.

Cottbus/Chóśebuz is and will remain a city that sees diversity as a strength. We stand together - united in peace and diversity - for solidarity, for democratic debate, for respect. We enjoy living in this city in equal coexistence and invite everyone to publicly demonstrate this commitment at the end of CSD on 25 October 2025 - also as part of the accompanying "Faces against the right" campaign.

Cottbus/Chóśebuz, 15 October 2025 October 2025

"Cottbus ist bunt"
Brandenburgische Kulturstiftung
Cottbus-Frankfurt (Oder) / Brandenburgisches Landesmuseum für moderne Kunst
Staatstheater Cottbus
Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg
BVMW Brandenburg Süd-Ost
Cottbuser Aufbruch
DGB Südbrandenburg/Lausitz
DGB Jugend Berlin-Brandenburg
IGBCE Bezirk Lausitz
IG BAU Südbrandenburg
ver.di Cottbus district
LEAG
Medizinische Universität Lausitz - Carl Thiem
Piccolo Theater Cottbus
RA Benjamin Ehlers
Unteilbar Südbrandenburg