EXIT Festival 2026 and Beyond: When Culture Resists, What’s Next?

In 2026, EXIT Festival is set to leave Serbia for the first time
in its 25-year history — a landmark decision driven by mounting
political pressure, the withdrawal of public funding, and an
increasingly hostile environment for independent cultural
institutions.


Founded in 2000 as a student-led protest movement for democracy
and freedom of expression, EXIT grew into one of Europe’s most
renowned music festivals, symbolizing not just artistic
excellence but civic courage. Now, with the political climate
shifting and space for dissent shrinking, the festival faces a
fundamental question: Can it remain true to its founding values
without the support — or tolerance — of its home country?


In a 1:2 interview, founder Dušan Kovačević and a team member
reflect on this historic turning point: how to navigate exile,
rebuild vision, and defend cultural space under pressure in a
changing Europe.


Speaker: Dušan Kovačević (EXIT Festival)