The renowned Exit Festival, one of Europe's prominent music festivals, is set to pull out of Serbia after its 25-year tenure, citing "undemocratic pressures" from the Serbian government. Scheduled for its last edition in Novi Sad from July 10 to 13, organizers have stated that a lack of governmental support, alongside sponsorship withdrawals under state influence, has prompted this decision.
The festival has linked these actions to its backing of ongoing student protests, which focus on anti-corruption initiatives in Serbia. Officials from the provincial culture secretariat refuted these claims, arguing that financial constraints led to the inability to provide necessary support.
Historically held at the scenic Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, the festival attracted over 200,000 attendees last year alone. Exit’s roots trace back to the pro-democracy movements that toppled Slobodan Milosevic during the Yugoslav era in 2000, maintaining its activist spirit by spotlighting themes like "Stop Human Trafficking" and "Loud and Queer."
The catalyst for the students' protests was a tragic incident at Novi Sad's railway station last November, which left 16 dead due to a canopy collapse. In solidarity, Exit Festival extended its support by joining protest marches and providing essentials to students, leading to significant financial repercussions for the festival. Founder Dusan Kovacevic emphasized that "freedom has no price," reflecting on the costly decision to withdraw.
Kovacevic urged fans to remember Exit not for its departure but for its message of unity, love, and freedom. As the future location of the festival remains uncertain, many await news on whether it will seek a new home elsewhere.
The Exit Festival has hosted well-known acts such as The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, and The Cure, and next month will showcase The Prodigy, The Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, and DJ Snake. Recognized with two European Festival of the Year awards, the festival has played a crucial role in elevating Serbia's creative landscape, significantly impacting its music culture while attracting an international audience.
The festival has linked these actions to its backing of ongoing student protests, which focus on anti-corruption initiatives in Serbia. Officials from the provincial culture secretariat refuted these claims, arguing that financial constraints led to the inability to provide necessary support.
Historically held at the scenic Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad, the festival attracted over 200,000 attendees last year alone. Exit’s roots trace back to the pro-democracy movements that toppled Slobodan Milosevic during the Yugoslav era in 2000, maintaining its activist spirit by spotlighting themes like "Stop Human Trafficking" and "Loud and Queer."
The catalyst for the students' protests was a tragic incident at Novi Sad's railway station last November, which left 16 dead due to a canopy collapse. In solidarity, Exit Festival extended its support by joining protest marches and providing essentials to students, leading to significant financial repercussions for the festival. Founder Dusan Kovacevic emphasized that "freedom has no price," reflecting on the costly decision to withdraw.
Kovacevic urged fans to remember Exit not for its departure but for its message of unity, love, and freedom. As the future location of the festival remains uncertain, many await news on whether it will seek a new home elsewhere.
The Exit Festival has hosted well-known acts such as The White Stripes, Arctic Monkeys, and The Cure, and next month will showcase The Prodigy, The Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter, and DJ Snake. Recognized with two European Festival of the Year awards, the festival has played a crucial role in elevating Serbia's creative landscape, significantly impacting its music culture while attracting an international audience.
