Yosef Phelan for GAY TIMES

Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst caught up with GAY TIMES at EuroPride in Malta about the “incredible” celebration.

The star, who won the Contest representing Austria in 2014 with ‘Rise Like a Phoenix’, shared that it was her second time visiting the country.

“The vibe is on point and everybody is so friendly and the city is just incredible and I just love being here,” she added. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

Conchita was heavily involved with this year’s EuroPride and delivered a showstopping performance during its ‘Eurovision Night’ on 15 September at the Pjazza Tritoni.

She treated fans to intimate performances of an array of songs, including her Eurovision-winning anthem.

Katrina and the Waves, The Roop and Chiara were among the other Eurovision stars taking to the stage during EuroPride.

READ MORE: EuroPride Valletta 2023 in pictures: Thousands march for equality in Malta

As someone who has performed at an array of Prides all over the world, Conchita joked that Pride “is only 75 times a year” while asserting that it’s important to “celebrate it every time we can”.

“What a year this has been, it’s amazing,” she said.

@gaytimes 📍@EuroPride Valletta 2023 #conchitawurst #riselikeaphoenix #eurovision #conchitawurstedit #conchitawursttiktok ♬ original sound – GAY TIMES

Malta has been named the best place to be LGBTQIA+ in Europe

Malta was the hub of all things LGBTQIA+ in Europe this month while hosting EuroPride, the continent’s largest queer celebration, in its capital city of Valletta.

Recognised as one of the most welcoming countries in Europe, Malta has topped ILGA-Europe’s annual ‘Rainbow Map and Index’ for eight years running.

The list is a ranking of 49 European countries based on their respective legal and policy practices for LGBTQIA+ people, with Malta routinely hailed for its unwavering support of the LGBTQIA+ community.

The theme of this year’s EuroPride, ‘Equality from the Heart’, aimed to bring the Maltese and wider European LGBTQIA+ community together to celebrate diversity and advocate for equal rights, as well as a more inclusive world.

Click here to see some of the best pictures of EuroPride Valletta 2023.