Serbia is known as the “land of festivals.” During the summer, the big cities, small towns and villages of Serbia offer a variety of cultural and entertainment activities, events that promote the traditions, customs, culture and sports, but even more music festivals that bring together well-known local and international music artists. We introduce you the Top 10 August events in Serbia that could make your summer more interesting.
Guitar Festival in Zaječar (1st – 3rd August)
The oldest Serbian festival of unestablished rock bands dates back from the 60-ties of the last century, the time when first rock bands appeared not only in the world, but in our country as well, and became widely popular among young people. The Festival in Zaječar, that firstly was organized twice a year, was launched under the initiative of the local bands. In the late 70-ties and early 80-ties Zaječar’s Guitar Festival (Gitarijada) transformed from local into the most important festival of demo rock bands in the region.
Numerous local bands became famous at the Guitar Festival (Gitarijada) in Zaječar. Afterwards, they got the opportunity to record their first albums and got the appropriate media support. Besides, the Festival has also hosted world stars like Laibach, Steve Lukather, Uriah Heep, Wishbone Ash… “Gitarijada” gathers tens of thousands of participants and visitors from around the country and abroad, thus making it one of the most significant music events in the region. This year’s performers are:Neverne bebe, Serbian Jazz Bre, Zabranjeno pušenje, Parni valjak, Ritam nereda, Kanda kodža i Nebojša, Elemental, Darkwood dub… The entrance to all “Gitarijada“ programs is free.
Love Fest (1st -3rd August, Vrnjačka Banja)
One of the most visited music festivals in Central Serbia, Love Fest, has been organized at the Summer Stage in Vrnjačka Banja since 2007. This electronic music orientated festival aims to promote this music genre in this part of the country. Ticket prices are: 990,00 RSD – 1890,00 RSD.
Guča Brass Festival (5th-11th August)
Long tradition of trumpet in Serbia has given one of the most famous symbols of Serbian music. For a half a century authentic sound of trumpet, great time and the unique festival atmosphere in Guča have been attracting hundreds of tourists from around the world. The orchestras from around the country, region and abroad, head for Guča to compete for the best orchestra and the best solo performer. The festival is followed by numerous cultural and art programs, but surely the central event of the manifestation is the announcement of the winners. This year, the festival will host Emir Kusturica & The No Smoking Orchestra, Dejan Petrović Big Band, Goran Bregović and Wedding and Funeral Orchestra.
Belgrade Regatta (11th August, Sava River)
The Belgrade regatta offers a unique experience of the nation’s capital through a 6.5 kilometers long regatta from Makiš to Ada Ciganlija. The inseparable element of the regatta is great music thus the boat parade seems like a great floating party on the Sava river. Everyone can participate in the Belgrade regatta whether they have their own boats or not, as the its organizers provide boats for rent. All you need is to apply for the regatta, register your vessel with the organizers and have enough positive energy and love of nature.
Belgrade Beer Fest (14th – 18th August, Ušće)
Germany has Oktoberfest and Serbia has Belgrade Beer Fest. It is one of the biggest beer festivals in Southeastern Europe, and the British ”Independent” included it on a list of 20 events in the world to be visited. During the five days of Belgrade Beer Fest, around 500.000 people each year visit the festival that has already won numerous awards and just cannot stop growing. The festival has a unique concept: the entrance and all the concerts are free, and visitors can buy and enjoy beer of numerous brands from Serbian and the world.
Rambo Amadeus, Atomsko sklonište, Riblja čorba, Sunshine, Alen Islamović & kad bi bio bijelo dugme, Generacija 5, Masimo Savić, Kerber, Bajaga & Instruktori, Orthodox Celts, Partibrejkers as well as Zvonko Bogdan, Boban Marković and his Brass Orchestra will perform on this year’s Belgrade Beer Fest.
Nišville Jazz Festival (15th – 18.th August, Niš)
Nišville became the most prestigious jazz festival of Southeastern Europe thanks to its unique fusion of music from the Balkans and all types of jazz. Jazz festival in the city of Niš has a three decades long tradition, and for the last 18 years it bears the name of Nišville. The festival lasts for four days during which you can see performances of around 50 bands and 500 musicians. Each year it is visited by approximately 100.000 people who enjoy both the “traditional” forms of jazz and their mix with ethno traditions from around the world, especially from the Balkans. This Festival has hosted some of the biggest names of world and local jazz scene. The main stars of the Nišville 2013 are: Duško Gojković & Belgrade Summit Octet , Vasil Hadzimanov Band, Jazzanova Live feat. Paul Randolph, Nouvelle Vague, The Mambo Stars & Uroš Perić, Bobby Carcasses, Marius Neset and others. The ticket prices are: 1.000, 1.500, 2.500, 3.000, 4.000 RSD.
Šumadija Fest (23rd-24th August, Kragujevac)
One of the most visited manifestations in Central Serbia that unites music, art and sport. During two days of the Festival, numerous local bands and performers will perform on two stages, while different sport manifestations will take place at the plateau of “Kragujevac Fair”. The organizers have announced many popular artists: Serbian bands Van Gogh, Bad Copy, Montenegrin band Who See and many other, as well as very popular DJ Tom Novy and Geo Da Silva. Ticket prices are: 1200,00 -1400,00 RSD.
Niš Film Encounters (26th – 30th August)
Festival started back in 1966 after the initiative of the Organization of film actors of Serbia. Each year the Festival is visited by numerous legendary actors from our country but we can’t fail to mention surely the most famous acting pair Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor. Visitors will have the opportunity to see 10 films by local directors during 5 days of the Festival at The Summer stage in Niš.
Nušićijada (30th August – 1st September, Ivanjica)
Collage festival or Cultural festival “Nušićijada” was founded in 1969 as a Yugoslav Comedy Film Festival in Ivanjica. Manifestation inspired by life and work of Branislav Nušić – Nušićijada, is a spiritual response of later generations to the image of Serbian village and its mentality recorded by this legend of Serbian culture from the early 20th century, today a classic of national literature, in his prose and dramatic works. The Festival features theatre plays, concerts of classic, traditional, electro, rock, blues and ethno music, different performances, exhibitions, interactive workshops.
Leskovac Grill Festival (the end of the August)
The tradition of the Leskovac-made grill is more than two centuries long. Today it is not a classic grill festival like it was in the beggining , it is a well organized event which, besides great food, provides a cultural and art program as well,and of course – great fun.
