Max HeyraudThe Serbian festival has launched a crowdfunding campaign as it faces “fierce governmental pressure” after publicly supporting ongoing student protests.
EXIT Festival, one of Eastern Europe’s most celebrated festivals, has launched a global campaign titled Save EXIT Freedom, aiming to safeguard its future as an independent cultural institution. The move comes in response to the withdrawal of over €1.5 million in public funding and government-linked sponsorships, reportedly triggered by the festival’s public solidarity with mass student protests in Serbia.
Founded in 2000 out of the student resistance movement against the Milošević regime, EXIT has long embodied the intersection of music, activism and social change. The festival now finds itself back in the political spotlight as it faces what organisers describe as “serious political and security threats” that could endanger its very existence.
“By defending independence and freedom for EXIT, we defend the freedom of all artists, music professionals and organisations in the music industry,” said Dušan Kovačević, EXIT’s founder, in a public statement. “This is a moment for the music industry to unite… and demonstrate that collectively it is stronger than any government in the world.”
In response to the financial fallout, EXIT has launched an international crowdfunding campaign at save.exitfest.org, where supporters can donate directly, purchase future tickets, or acquire digital assets to help stabilise the festival. The funds will go toward protecting over 100 permanent jobs and sustaining the festival’s long-term independence.
“The recent EXIT Festival is of immeasurable importance,” Kovačević added. “A historical moment when one music festival boldly stood up against fierce governmental pressure aimed at silencing our freedom of speech… and demonstrated that unity, solidarity and love still triumph over fear.”
