Europe’s acclaimed EXIT Festival has announced its 2025 edition will be its last in Serbia, citing mounting political and financial pressures. The festival, which originated from a student movement for peace and freedom, alleges that its public support for recent student-led anti-corruption protests led to government funding cuts and sponsor withdrawals.
A Legacy of Activism and Culture
Born 25 years ago from a student movement advocating for peace and freedom in Serbia and the Balkans, EXIT Festival evolved into a globally recognized cultural phenomenon. It has garnered numerous European festival awards, attracted international artists and fans, and significantly boosted tourism revenue for Serbia. The festival’s tradition of activism continued with themes like "Stop Human Trafficking" and "Loud and Queer."
Key Takeaways
- EXIT Festival’s 2025 edition will be its last in Serbia.
- The decision stems from alleged political and financial pressures.
- Festival organizers claim these pressures are a direct result of their support for student-led anti-corruption protests.
- The festival has reportedly lost government funding and seen sponsors withdraw under state pressure.
The Catalyst: Student Protests and Government Pressure
The turning point for EXIT Festival came after it publicly supported student-led anti-corruption protests following the tragic Novi Sad station collapse in November 2024, which claimed 15 lives. According to festival organizers, this alignment led to severe repercussions. Dušan Kovačević, the festival’s founder and director, stated that they have been "subjected to immense financial and political pressures aimed at stripping us of our fundamental rights to freedom of thought and expression." He emphasized that despite being cut off from public funding and facing sponsor withdrawals, they "refuse to be silenced."
"Freedom Has No Price"
Kovačević described the decision to leave Serbia as "the hardest in our 25-year history," but firmly asserted that "freedom has no price." He called upon cultural figures and institutions worldwide to stand in solidarity with EXIT’s stance against censorship and repression. Provincial officials at the culture secretariat have, however, attributed the lack of support to financial pressures, denying the allegations of political motivation.
One Last Dance at Petrovaradin Fortress
EXIT 2025 is scheduled to take place from July 10–13 at the iconic Petrovaradin Fortress in Novi Sad. Organizers are committed to making this final Serbian edition the most emotional and unforgettable yet, transforming it into a powerful statement of unity, resilience, and love. The festival team stated, "EXIT is not just a festival — EXIT is all of us who believe we can make a change."
The Future of EXIT
While the immediate future of EXIT Festival beyond 2025 remains uncertain regarding a potential relocation to another country, its departure from Serbia sends shockwaves through the global festival community. It raises critical questions about freedom of expression, the politicization of culture, and the vital role festivals play as platforms for activism. The 2025 edition is poised to be a significant moment in both music and political history.
Sources
- EXIT Festival Leaving Serbia in 2026 Due to Political Pressure and Censorship, EDMTunes.
- EXIT Festival pulls out of Serbia after expressing
support for student protests, Festival Insights. - Exit Festival To Leave Serbia In 2026, Alleging Government Pressure Campaign, CelebrityAccess.
- Exit festival pulls out of Serbia after backing student protests, BBC.
- EXIT Festival Announces Final Edition in Serbia Due to Undemocratic Pressures, Mixtape Madness.
