The letter urges decisive action to safeguard “freedom of expression and independence of cultural workers in Serbia, as well as a civil society’s right to uphold democratic values.“
Addressed to the EU Delegation in Serbia and the Directorate-General for Enlargement, the letter stresses that the case of the EXIT Festival goes beyond a single music event and constitutes a test of the European Union’s ability to defend its own values across the continent: “This is not only about one festival, but about protecting core European values at the heart of Europe,“ the document states.
YOUROPE details the pressures EXIT has faced for publicly supporting the student protests in Serbia: the withdrawal of all subsidies at local, provincial, and national levels, the termination of sponsorship by the state telecommunications company that had been the festival’s leading partner for 22 years, threats by special police forces directed at key members of the organization, and direct pressure on companies collaborating with the festival. According to the letter, these measures have directly jeopardised the survival of the EXIT organisation, which employs over 100 young people in Serbia.
The association also warns that the repercussions are not confined to EXIT and that repression is spreading to all artists who have expressed solidarity with the students: “Artists who expressed solidarity with the students are seeing their concerts cancelled and are being barred from performing in Serbia, where most venues are under government control.“
YOUROPE’s message to European institutions is unequivocal: “If Europe wants to remain credible in its commitment to its own values, words must now be turned into action,“ the letter reads.
YOUROPE’s Secretary General, Holger Jan Schmidt, closes the appeal with a reminder that Europe faces a historic test: “When freedom returns to Serbia, it will matter whether Europe can say it stood by its values or remained silent as they were eroded.“
