Nexus Festival 2025 Successfully Held in Zaječar

From August 13 to 22, the Youth Center in Zaječar hosted the Nexus Festival, which over nine days gathered more than 1,000 visitors and offered a rich music and accompanying program. The festival was organized as part of the Spaces of Freedom project, and once again confirmed Zaječar’s place as one of the key hubs of the independent cultural scene in the region.

Music Program

During the festival, the audience enjoyed performances from artists of different genres – from electronic music, through alternative pop and rock, to a musical tribute to one of the most significant authors from the Balkans.

• The festival opened with BRElectro (August 13), bringing to Zaječar their recognizable mix of trip-hop, industrial, and dark pop.
• The following evening featured performances by singer-songwriters Kika and Mag (August 15).
• The third festival night was marked by a concert from the Belgrade band Turbo Trans Turisti (August 16).
• On August 18, the audience enjoyed a performance by Artan Lili, one of the leading representatives of the contemporary alternative scene.
• On august the 20th - Spejs Noksi performed, presenting his unique “raprave” style.
• The next evening, August 21, the audience experienced an emotional concert by the Non-Governmental Organization of Vlada Divljan, honoring the timeless work of one of the greatest music authors from the Balkans.
• The festival closed on August 22 with concerts by Full Drive and Jutro, bringing energetic performances and a spirit of togetherness that lasted until the very end.

Accompanying Program: Workshops and Bazaar

A key part of the festival’s impact lay in its accompanying program, which included a range of workshops and joint activities. From August 15 to 22, workshops in analog photography, audio production, mural painting, and sculpting were organized, attended by more than 30 participants aged 12 to 45.

The workshops allowed participants to gain new knowledge and practical skills, develop creativity, and become familiar with modern techniques of artistic expression. For many, these were their first experiences working with professional equipment and mentors, opening new opportunities for growth and active involvement in the cultural life of the community.

The accompanying program also included a full-day Bazaar (August 17), where local creators presented their crafts, vinyls, art pieces, natural products, and clothing. This part of the festival emphasized the importance of connecting the local creative scene with the audience.

A Festival of Togetherness and Creativity

Nexus Festival 2025 confirmed that Zaječar not only has an active and dedicated audience, but also that the Youth Center is a place of encounters, exchange, and new cultural initiatives.

Over nine festival days, audiences enjoyed a diverse program, while the workshops left a lasting impression on participants – as spaces for learning, connection, and the creation of new ideas.

By hosting the festival, Zaječar once again demonstrated that the independent cultural scene in this region not only exists, but has an audience, support, and the potential to grow and thrive.