Protest disrupts opening of Nušićijada festival; minister cancels speech

The opening ceremony of the Nušićijada festival in Ivanjica, Serbia, was marred by a protest involving several dozen citizens. Demonstrators gathered near the stage, disrupting the speech of the local municipal president, Aleksandar Mitrović, with whistles and chants of "Studenti pobeđuju" (Students are winning).

Minister of Culture Nikola Selaković was scheduled to address the festival attendees but was unable to do so due to the protest. According to Ivanjički radio, the demonstrators' vocal opposition prompted Selaković to abandon his planned speech. Security and police attempts to disperse the crowd were unsuccessful, leading to an opening ceremony without the minister's address.

Despite the disruption at the opening, the Nušićijada festival, held under the slogan "Under Nušić's Hat," is proceeding as planned from August 21 to 23. The festival's program includes a variety of cultural events such as theater performances, concerts, exhibitions, and literary activities.