Pumpen und Protestieren

On November 1, 2024, a massive construction blunder caused a station canopy in Novi Sad, Serbia, to collapse, killing 16 innocent people.

Since then, Serbia has been rocked by a wave of student-led protests against the government. This wave is sweeping across large parts of the divided country. The protesters are demanding criminal prosecution of those responsible for the accident in Novi Sad, as well as the exposure and end of the many cases of corruption attributed to the government of President Aleksandar Vučić.

Vučić’s response to the protests: deployment of police, sometimes with excessive force, arrests, intimidation of students and teachers, and the closure of many important cultural and educational institutions. All of this is on the agenda.

Nevertheless, the protesters are not giving up. Under their slogan “Pumpaj!” (English: Pump!/meaning: Keep going!), they continue to fight for justice and a better future for their country. Thus, the bicycle pump has become a symbol of peaceful but determined resistance.

This evening, authors Demjan Duran and Denijen Pauljević will attempt to put this movement into words and reflect the diversity of different personal perspectives. They will read texts they have written especially for this evening.

This will be followed by a discussion moderated by Iris Špringer from balkaNet e.V.. Tijana Grumić will talk about her experiences in Serbia. She is one of Serbia’s most successful writers and dramaturges and also a lecturer at the FDU (Academy of Dramatic Arts) in Belgrade. This is where the student protests began.

This event is part of the Spielart Festival’s invitation to God’s Entertainment’s performance Together or Apart? which will take place in front of the Habibi Kiosk. More information HERE.