SERBIA

“PRESSURE WAS EXERTED ON THEM”: The statement of the Zaječar Gitarijada about the bands that canceled on them caused the anger of guitar lovers!

by Serbian Times24. August 2025.24. August 2025.

While most of the bands are withdrawing from the “Gitarijada” in Zaječar, the organizational committee of this event says that political pressure is being exerted on the bands.

The organizational committee of the Zaječar Gitarijada, chaired by Boško Ničić, announced that, assessing the current security situation in the country, as well as the infrastructural possibilities of the previous venue, they are making a decision that the 58th “Gitarijada,” instead of at Kraljevica, will be held at the late antique site of Felix Romuliana, at the previously agreed-upon date, from August 28 to 30, 2025.

The organizational committee annulled the previous decision on ticket prices and made a new one that states that by purchasing a ticket for entry to the site at a price of 300 dinars, a person will also acquire the right to enter the Gitarijada.

A traditional rock camp will also be organized, which will be located below the eastern gate of Felix Romuliana.

“Due to the unprecedented pressure on the competing bands and headliners of this year’s Gitarijada, organized by individuals and groups who are obviously instructed to politically obstruct the holding of the 58th Zaječar Gitarijada, which some have expressed in their statements, the Organizational Committee will announce the names of the participants, which include bands from the USA, Italy, Romania, and the former Yugoslav republics, a few days before the start of the Festival. Many will be pleasantly surprised by the names of the headliners, I am convinced of that,” the statement reads.

“The reason for this decision of the Organizational Committee is to spare the bands (both competing and headliners) from the abuse that many who canceled their participation felt on their own skin, by those who obviously still do not understand the significance of the oldest rock event in the world or the role of rock and roll in society. When I say that, I do not deny that rock and roll is rebellion, but it is not and cannot be violence and chaos. The great fighters for ‘assembly justice and fairness’ are obviously only interested in their ‘truth’ and do not care about the views and arguments of anyone who does not think like them. Shame on them for trying to destroy a brand that is a sacred thing for the city of Zaječar and every normal rock & roll lover,” Boško Ničić concludes.

Let’s recall, it all started when the band “Goblini” had their performance at this year’s “Gitarijada” canceled.

“They also canceled on us in Zaječar. We think you know why. We are going all the way! There are many of us,” the band stated. In previous months, they wholeheartedly supported the student blockade protests.

As a form of solidarity, the bands S.A.R.S, Električni orgazam, Kerber, and others then canceled their participation in this event.