OFF DUTY - Summertime in Serbia/Belgrade

As the semester is approaching its end, lots of students are thinking of where to spend the upcoming summer holiday. We all know it can be a really hard decision to make, but brace yourselves, because ESN BelUPgrade has prepared a special for you. You don’t have to ponder any longer, Serbia is calling! There are various festivals and events during the summer in Serbia, but we have prepared several for you to learn about.

So, buckle up, here we go!

EXIT FESTIVAL (10-13 July 2014)
www.exitfest.org

EXIT is the biggest music festival in South Eastern Europe and has taken place since 2001. EXIT was proclaimed the ‘Best Major European Festival’ at the 2014 European Festival Awards, but has garnered other significant accolades over the years: the ‘Best Overseas Festival’ award at the UK Festival Awards in 2007, ’Best Major Festival Award’ in 2013 and was ranked one of the 10 best major festivals at the European Festival Awards in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. 
The unique side of EXIT, to which it owes much of its popularity, is the location - beautiful and magical Petrovaradin fortress, on the bank of the Danube River in Novi Sad. There are four big stages on EXIT FESTIVAL: Main Stage, mt:s Dance Arena, Fusion Stage and Explosive Stage. Depending on what kind of music you like, you will choose stage/s for yourself. But this year the EXIT crew prepared a special treat for you: it’s the SEA DANCE FESTIVAL which will take place in Budva, Montenegro (15-17 July 2014). More than 80 famous musicians will perform this year, such as Queens of the Stone Age, Gloria Gaynor, Hurts, Skrillex, Stromae, and many others. Don’t miss the chance to have a crazy time at one of the best festivals in Europe.

GUČA TRUMPET FESTIVAL (6-10 August 2014) 

www.cksguca.rs

In 2013, the festival lasted seven days with more than 400,000 visitors. Located in the picturesque village of Guča, each year it welcomes the best trumpet players and brass bands in Serbia, becoming the world's “undisputed trumpet capital”. Musicians have sent the audience into delirium with their spectacular performance at the last festival. The music program is accompanied by all-around folk dance, exhibitions of folk handicrafts, traditional dishes, painters and poets. With its roots in folk tradition the festival is becoming even more popular in the 21st century. For more than half a century, as this event takes place, Guča, the capital of the trumpet, has been visited by 16 million domestic and foreign tourists from more than 80 countries. Join the party in Guča – do not miss the opportunity for an unforgettable experience.

NIŠVILLE INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL (14-17 August 2014)
www.nisville.com

The jazz festival tradition in Niš started in 1981. Under the name Nišville, during its previous 19 editions, the festival has evolved into the most visited jazz festival in the region, welcoming names like Solomon Burke, Benny Golson, Incognito, The Brand New Heavies, De Phazz, Roy Hargrove, DuškoGojković and many others. The festival is now being held in an open space that can accommodate more than 4,000 people. Apart from the main program, the accompanying program, which is free for audience, features around 20 bands with 200 performers. During the festival, free jazz workshops are held for almost all jazz instruments. Set out on a jazz journey in one of the most beautiful, spacious and acoustic amphitheatres in Europe – The Summer Stage of the Niš City Fortress!

BELGRADE BEER FEST (13-17 August 2014) 

www.belgradebeerfest.com

Since its foundation in 2003, the Belgrade Beer Fest has attracted more and more people every year to reach the number of 900,000 in 2013. Staged annually, with more than 40 bands and individual performers, it has become one of the biggest summer parties in Europe. Set in a beautiful park on the bank of the Danube where the Rolling Stones, Madonna and the Police have had their concerts, it is rated among the 20 world events that should be seen – according to British newspaper “The Independent”. But, it's not all and only about partying – in the last two years the festival featured a social campaign “I choose to recycle” aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues. Join the fun to find your favorite taste among 70 beer brands during these five days of August in Belgrade!

ADA (All summer long)

For those who see summer as a time to relax and rest, we have a special recommendation. Many of you have probably heard of Ada Ciganlija, or as we like to call it, “Belgrade’s Sea”. This is a wonderful river island located in the Sava River’s course. It has an amazing beach, but also many sports facilities and coffee shops. Be one of the 100,000 visitors daily, and enjoy Belgrade’s most known summer resort.

RAFT CLUBBING (All night long)

Belgrade is famous for its exuberant nightlife. And raft clubs spreading along the banks of Sava and Danube are at its core. These floating clubs and bars have made Belgrade the regional and, as of recently, the European nightlife hub. The likes of CNN, BBC, The New York Times, the Huffington Post and Lonely Planet seem to think so, too. 
Boasting beautiful decor, a variety of music genres, cheap booze and uncontainable energy, Belgrade's "barges" are attracting an increasing number of young foreign visitors to the Serbian capital. If you are an avid partygoer, this is the place to be!

If you have visited Serbia during school months you definitely must be here during the summer. We have a lot to offer! All you have to do is pack the most important things – sunglasses & good mood, and we will provide you with the rest.

(Written by: Marko Stanić)