The Serbian event faces political pressure and over €1.5 million in withdrawn support.
Photo credit: Exit festival – Official
EXIT Festival has announced a global crowdfunding campaign following what it describes as intense government pressure and the complete loss of more than €1.5 million in public co-funding and government-linked sponsorships.
The move comes after the festival publicly supported ongoing mass student protests in Serbia, triggering political and security threats that organizers say aim to silence its voice and jeopardize its future.
Launched under the banner Save EXIT Freedom, the campaign seeks to secure the immediate stability of the festival’s operations and protect over 100 permanent jobs. “This is a moment for the music industry to unite, protect one of its own, and demonstrate that collectively it is stronger than any government in the world,” said EXIT founder Dušan Kovačević, adding that defending the festival’s independence means safeguarding freedom for artists and music organizations everywhere.
Founded in 2000 during student protests against political repression, EXIT has grown into one of the world’s most respected music festivals, winning the European Festival Awards’ Best Major Festival twice and holding its Take a Stand Award for advocacy in human rights and social justice. Organizers say the current situation is a defining test of the festival’s original mission to stand for freedom, unity, and cultural independence.
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