You may have read in some newspaper somewhere that Amsterdam is getting boring and that free thinking and creativity is disappearing. While it makes for popular conversation in the international press, the fact is we still have plenty of creative and inspiring activities from a wide range of communities that call Amsterdam home.

What better example then the Queeristan Festival, a celebration of activism, culture, art, debate and so much more. Led by the city's vibrant LGBT community, the festival is open to all as one of the main themes is inclusion and respect for all.

It begins Friday the 17th of June at 6:30pm with Lectures followed by the opening of an art exhibit at the celebrated nomadic creative space Schijnheilig. Saturday features workshops all day on a long list of topics from global politics to combating gender discrimination. In the evening there will be vegan food and live performances. Then it all culminates on Sunday with Vegan brunch followed by a march through the streets of Amsterdam.

For full details including directions to the venue, check the website.