EXIT Festival – Music, Freedom, and Politics

From its beginnings as a student-led protest against dictatorship to becoming one of Europe’s most iconic music festivals, EXIT has always stood at the intersection of culture and politics. Founded in Serbia in 2000 during a time of upheaval, the festival grew into a global stage for artistic freedom, social change, and youth culture. Today, while making global impact with events like the recently announced first ever festival at the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, EXIT once again finds itself in the political spotlight at home - its outspoken support for new student movements sparking fierce political backlash in Serbia.

In this keynote conversation with co-founder and CEO Dušan Kovačević, we’ll explore what it means for a festival to be more than just music. How can cultural institutions stand their ground in turbulent times? Where do organizers draw the line between entertainment, activism, and survival? And what role do festivals play as symbols of freedom in an increasingly polarized world?

Join us for a powerful dialogue on the risks, responsibilities, and resilience of festivals when music meets politics.