Exit has issued a statement regarding the pressures on this year’s festival organization. We are publishing their announcement in its entirety:
25 years ago, EXIT was founded as a student movement for peace and freedom in Serbia and the Balkans. From its inception until today, it has grown into a global symbol of unity, tolerance, and youth power. Through music, creativity, and activism, we connected generations and nations, restored broken ties, and built bridges where many were tearing them down. We brought numerous championship titles to our country, as well as hundreds of millions of euros in tourist revenue along with promotion that successfully changed the catastrophic image from the nineties, and whose value is categorized as invaluable by world experts.
Nevertheless, since we publicly stood by the students and their struggle for a free and just society in Serbia last year, we have been subjected to immense financial and other pressures, with the aim of revoking our right to freedom of opinion and speech. Although we have been completely denied public co-financing at all levels of government, without which it is not possible to realize a festival of Exit’s size and renown in the long term within the limited Serbian economic framework, we do not agree to be silenced.
We believe that freedom has no price, and therefore, this year’s jubilee edition of the festival will be the last to take place in such a Serbia. Although we know we are welcome in many parts of the world, we owe our city and our audience one last dance at Petrovaradin Fortress, which is why our entire team is more determined than ever to make this year’s edition the most emotional and unforgettable yet.
It will take place from July 10-13 in Novi Sad, where we will celebrate 25 years of togetherness with the students. EXIT is not just a festival, EXIT is all of us who believe we can do better. And just as we ignited the spark of resistance a quarter of a century ago, which blazed into one of the world’s leading festivals, today we once again defend the right to live freely.
If this is indeed the last EXIT at the Fortress, let it be unforgettable. Let it be our strongest yet. A festival remembered not for its end, but for its unity. For love. For freedom!
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Source: Danas.rs, Photo: Exit Festival Team