The 15,000 people attending Milan Pride created a river of love on Saturday, as a flashmob held up bright red hearts.

At the end of the parade, as the crowd were listening to speeches, artist Angelo Cruciani distributed 15,000 hearts printed on paper that were then lifted into the sky. Before the official speech of Mayor Giuliano Pisapia, one of the main streets of the town stopped for 30 seconds of silence, and it turned full of hearts. The artist says that participants ‘created an image that will go down in the history of the city of Milan and in the history of Gay Pride events by using the universal symbol of love.’

‘No government, no religion, no culture can deprive man of the right of love,’ said Cruciani.