EXIT mulls exile from Serbia amid political pressure

Organisers of Serbia’s EXIT Festival have told IQ that the event may be forced to leave the country due to its stance in the current student-led protests.

Mass demonstrations have gathered momentum in the four months since 15 people were killed when a roof collapsed at a newly renovated train station in Novi Sad, Serbia’s second-biggest city and the home of EXIT.

Many Serbians blame the collapse on corruption and incompetence linked to President Aleksandar Vucic’s decade in power and the neo-liberal SNS party.

As a festival born from a student movement across Serbia, the EXIT team has publicly aligned itself with the protestors and provided them with food, sleeping bags and other necessities.

Now, organisers says that this year’s festival may be the last in Serbia, its home of 25 years, due to “mounting pressure and threats aimed at silencing our right to free expression”.

“For 25 years, EXIT has been a symbol of freedom and positive social change, born as a student and youth movement for peace and democracy in Serbia and the Balkans,” organisers told IQ.

“If we are forced to leave, we will do so with our heads held high, carrying the same spirit of independence and solidarity”

“Soon after its inception, we grew into one of the world’s largest music festivals, bringing multiple Best European Festival awards to Serbia, along with nearly €300 million in tourism revenue,” say organisers in a statement to IQ.

“To our deep regret, since standing in solidarity with students in their ongoing fight for a fairer, more just, and tolerant society, we have faced mounting pressure and threats aimed at silencing our right to free expression. As a result, we are now seriously considering leaving Serbia.

“However, we owe our hometown—and our devoted audience across the globe—one final dance on the Petrovaradin Fortress. That’s why our entire team is more determined than ever to make this year’s edition the most emotional and unforgettable one yet. If we are forced to leave, we will do so with our heads held high, carrying the same spirit of independence and solidarity wherever we go next.”

EXIT Festival was launched in 2000 as part of a student movement across Serbia, which played its part in bringing down Slobodan Milošević, former president of Serbia and convicted war criminal.

After the Yugoslavian general election in 2000, the festival moved to the Petrovaradin Fortress in 2001 where it has remained.

The 25th anniversary edition of EXIT is due to take place 10–13 July with acts including Eric Prydz, Amelie Lens, Sex Pistols ft Frank Carter, Tiësto, Nina Kraviz and more.

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