Exit Festival Ends Serbian Run Due to Political Pressure Over Protest Support

Exit Festival, one of Europe’s largest music events, has announced that its upcoming 25th anniversary edition in July 2025 will be its final one in Serbia. The decision comes in response to what organizers describe as ‘undemocratic pressures’ from Serbian authorities. They allege that the government withdrew financial support and pressured sponsors to pull out due to the festival’s public backing of recent student-led anti-corruption protests. Exit has historically maintained ties to activism, stemming from its origins in the movement that helped topple Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.

The festival’s continued support of student protests—especially after a fatal incident at Novi Sad railway station—has included participation in marches, donation of supplies, and public statements. Founder Dusan Kovacevic emphasized that while this stance had financial consequences, ‘freedom has no price.’ The local culture secretariat has denied political motivations, citing budget constraints.

Held in Novi Sad’s Petrovaradin Fortress, Exit attracted over 200,000 attendees in 2024 and has hosted global acts like The White Stripes, The Cure, and Arctic Monkeys. While the festival’s future location remains uncertain, its cultural impact in Serbia has been significant, according to industry voices. Exit is set to feature The Prodigy and DJ Snake in its final Serbian edition.