EXIT Festival considers leaving Serbia amid political pressure

Serbia’s EXIT Festival may be forced to leave the country due to its outspoken support for student-led protests.

Over the past four months, mass demonstrations have been sweeping through Novi Sad—Serbia’s second-largest city and the home of EXIT—following the tragic collapse of a train station roof that claimed 15 lives.

Many Serbian citizens hold the government accountable, blaming the incident on corruption and mismanagement under President Aleksandar Vučić and his ruling neoliberal SNS party, which has been in power for a decade.

As a festival rooted in student activism, EXIT’s organisers have publicly stood in solidarity with the protestors, providing them with food, sleeping bags and essential supplies.

Now, organisers warn that this year’s edition may be EXIT’s last in Serbia. Mounting political pressure and increasing threats against the festival’s freedom of expression have forced the team to seriously consider relocating the event after 25 years.

“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. 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. 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,” organisers told IQ Magazine.

“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.”

Founded in 2000 as part of a student movement across Serbia, EXIT played a key role in the downfall of former Serbian president and convicted war criminal Slobodan Milošević. Following the Yugoslav general elections in 2000, the festival moved to Petrovaradin Fortress in 2001, where it has remained ever since.

EXIT has a history of international ventures, from pre-parties in Istanbul and showcases at Amsterdam Dance Event to collaborations with Space Miami. The festival has also opened a nightclub in China and made Bulgaria the home of its other festival brand, Sunland.

With European festival brands like Untold Festival making successful inroads into the MENA region and EXIT already operating across three continents, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the festival eyeing MENA’s major markets as one of its future destinations.

The 25th-anniversary edition of EXIT Festival is set to take place from July 10-13 this year.