Blacklist festival to launch across 25 Serbian cities

The Blacklist festival is set to take place across more than 25 cities in Serbia from October 14 to October 21. Organized under the slogan ‘What culture can, it also dares to do’, the event was launched by artists from various fields who have faced loss of professional engagements, artistic spaces, or project funding due to their criticism of the current government. These artists have also reportedly been subjected to public demonization.

The festival aims to empower a creative front of free-thinking individuals and protect the right to free expression against pressure, blackmail, and intimidation. All programs are free to the public and will include theater performances, films, poetry evenings, concerts, podcasts, and stand-up comedy.

The opening night features simultaneous events in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Požega, and Šabac. Programming includes theater productions, a documentary film regarding police brutality titled ‘Presedan’, and musical performances. The initiative was founded by the ‘Glasnije od cenzure’ group, consisting of local bands and artists, in collaboration with the Exit festival.