Save EXIT Freedom: Global crowdfunding campaign launched by Serbia’s EXIT Festival

EXIT Festival, a cultural beacon born from Serbia’s student activism in 2000, has launched a brand new global campaign Save EXIT Freedom, seeking public support to defend one of the world’s last truly independent major music festivals.

Because of its solidarity with anti-corruption student protests, EXIT has faced full withdrawal of roughly €1.5 million in public funding and sponsorships. Despite political and financial pressures, the team is determined to protect its independence and safeguard over 100 permanent jobs. Through a global crowdfunding drive fans and supporters can either donate, purchase future tickets or digital assets and help secure the future of EXIT, for culture, art and free expression everywhere.

Last month EXIT hosted their 25th anniversary edition at the Petrovaradin Fortress, and it may be its final Serbia edition, that is unless the global music community stands together behind the festival’s critical campaign to remain free and independent.

“The recent EXIT Festival is of immeasurable importance – a historical moment when one music festival boldly stood up against fierce governmental pressure aimed at silencing our freedom of speech and suppressing our support for Serbia’s brave students. We stood stronger than any attempt at state repression and demonstrated that unity, solidarity and love still triumphs over fear, and that art cannot be silenced,” said Dušan Kovačević, the founder of the EXIT Festival group.

“Through this crowdfunding campaign, we are standing up for the independence of an entire organization and the people behind it. We strongly believe 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. By defending independence and freedom for EXIT, we defend the freedom of all artists, music professionals, and organizations in the music industry who might face similar pressures anywhere in the world.  Because the fight for freedom for one is the fight for freedom for all.”