The European Alliance of Academies Declares its Full Support of the Protests in Serbia
The European Alliance of Academies (EAoA) asks for more attention and solidarity in Europe towards the movement of students, artists and citizens in Serbia, showing courage and imagination to achieve and preserve freedom and democracy in their country.
Following the Novi Sad railway station collapse tragedy in 2024, students (later joined by artists) in Serbia initiated a wave of protest gradually gaining the whole country. Without any access to national media, the students have been going all over the country, speaking to people in cities and villages, finding more and more support in the Serbian population.
On 1 November 2025 – the anniversary day of the catastrophe – a huge demonstration gathered dozens of thousands of people in Belgrade, asking for new elections. Many of them came to the Serbian capital on foot or by bicycle.
As a reaction, the Serbian government, which finds itself accused of corruption, is withholding support from important cultural events, canceling the BITEF Festival, a major theatre festival created in the sixties,for 2026, putting FEST, a prestigious film festival launched in 1971, under
threat. For the first time in three decades, financial support for cultural projects has been completely withdrawn by the Ministry of Culture and the City of Belgrade.
As a European Network of academies and cultural institutions representing 29 European countries and 72 institutions, defending democracy and artistic freedom, the EAoA declares its deep concern while the Serbian government is threatening or canceling major cultural
events and fully supports the increasing protests in Serbia.
The Villa Decius Association expresses its full support for the position of the European Alliance of Academies and stands in solidarity with the protesting students, artists, and citizens of Serbia in their peaceful struggle for democracy, freedom, and respect for cultural values.
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