Efteling has decided to remove the flag of Uganda from the Carnival Festival attraction. The reason is an anti-gay law passed in that country. “Normally we do not comment on political matters, but in this case we had to do something,” says Steven van Gils of Efteling. The flag was removed from the attraction after closing time on Wednesday evening.
The amusement park is now going to see if something new might replace the flag. “In any case, this flag will not return for the time being,” says van Gils. “We have removed it for a reason and that is why this flag will remain out of the attraction for the time being.” When, if and what that replacement would be, Efteling could not yet say.
Own decision
In Uganda, people can be sentenced to death if they are arrested because they are gay or part of the LGBTIQ+ community. Efteling thought that was going too far. “People should be able to feel at home in Efteling. That is why we could do nothing but remove the flag.”
The Ugandan flag was only there for a short time. Previously, the gorilla in the attraction had a South African flag. But because of criticism that most gorillas live in Uganda, that flag was replaced by a Ugandan flag. But that has now been removed.