San Francisco Frontiers - Serbian youth pumps up protest at last EXIT festival

Long a symbol of youth-led resistance, the four-day dance party came to an end this week and hundreds of thousands of festival-goers headed home re-energised to continue their struggle.

Within the walls of the festival's iconic fortress venue, and on the streets of Novi Sad, where the student-led movement began in November, symbols of resistance were everywhere.

An image of a bloodied red hand, a stark symbol of the protests, beamed down from screens onto heaving mosh pits throughout screaming punk sets, while the protest's rallying cry bounced over thumping techno.

The movement is nine months old and, for many, EXIT was a chance to renew their protest under a more international spotlight.

"This is basically about keeping the fire alive and responding to this regime," Srdan Kovacevic told AFP at on the bridge into the festival.

Festival-goers streamed past signs memorialising the 16 people killed in a train station roof collapse -- a tragedy that sparked anti-graft demonstrations against the country's right-wing government.

"I think it is very important to stand on this side and raise awareness not only domestically but internationally," said Vanja Manic-Matic, a French language teacher.

This could be the last time Serbian protest chants are heard at the festival's iconic Serbian site, after organisers announced a decision to leave their home country.

First launched 25 years ago in opposition to strongman Slobodan Milosevic's rule, organisers now accuse President Aleksandar Vucic's government of pressuring it to pull out of the Balkan nation.

Following their backing of the anti-corruption movement, the festival claims the government cut funding and sponsors were pressured to withdraw.

- 'Pumpaj' punks -

Since November, massive rallies, some drawing hundreds of thousands, have gripped Serbia -- triggering the collapse of a government faced with accusations of deep-rooted corruption.

But Vucic, in power since 2012, remains at the head of a reshuffled administration and refuses to hold new elections, a key demand of the protesters.

Instead, the government has trained its sights on EXIT, one of the country's most significant international tourism draws.

"This is a great thing because it shows how crooked everything is in Serbia," Filip Ubovic, a 23-year-old Belgrade student, told a press conference during EXIT.

On festival fences, rally photos were hung alongside protest banners, while crowds screamed the movement's chant: "Pumpaj!", or "Pump it up!" in English.

Local bands were joined by international artists, including punk legends the Sex Pistols, in encouraging the crowd to chant the protest slogan.

"Stand up for your rights, show that the people have power. Pump it!" shouted Italian singer Gala.

- 'Inevitable' -

"It's a great sign to Europe, to the world, that we are here. We are ready for the fight until we win," 22-year-old student protester Aleksa Savic said during the festival.

Following a massive rally in Belgrade in late June, major roads and public squares have been frequently blocked by roaming protesters in cities around the country.

Vucic has responded by calling for the arrest of demonstrators he alleged are "paid by foreign interests". Dozens have been detained in recent weeks.

As summer holidays begin and the cities empty, Kovacevic admitted turning out large numbers against the government was becoming difficult, but he nevertheless believed fresh elections were "inevitable".

"It's not just that it must happen, but it will happen," the 53-year-old lawyer said.

- Making an EXIT -

EXIT plans to move abroad, reportedly to the foot of the Giza Pyramid outside Cairo.

"This is the hardest decision in our 25-year history, but we believe freedom has no price," festival founder and director Dusan Kovacevic said.

It is part of a larger cultural exodus from Serbia. Several theatre and film festivals have been cancelled or defunded without explanation in recent months.

In June, a former paramilitary unit leader was installed as head of the national theatre company, triggering an outcry from artists.

"I think it will have a big cultural impact on both Serbia and Novi Sad. I'm simply sad that this is the last EXIT," 25-year-old Veljko said as he arrived for the festival's last day.

In the closing hours of EXIT, organisers issued an emotional farewell to the crowd.

"Thank you all for being brave enough to come this year -- to send a message to the whole world that love and light are unstoppable," EXIT's founder declared.

G.Miller--SFF