Rock Roll Feast festival in Lučani: Organizers claim cancellation, Cultural Center insists it will happen

A dispute has erupted over the fate of the "Sabor rokenrola" (Rock Roll Feast) festival in Lučani, Serbia, after its organizers announced its cancellation after a decade of regular events. The organizers cited financial and operational challenges, stating on the festival's Facebook page that, like larger festivals such as EXIT and FEST, their event could not survive due to similar reasons.

However, the Lučani Cultural Center, which finances the festival, has strongly contested this announcement. In a sharp rebuttal, the center labeled the organizers' statement as "malicious" and "gloating," asserting its own role as the definitive organizer due to its financial backing. The center insists that the festival will not be canceled and that the group "hiding behind the Sabor rokenrola logo" is responsible for the current situation.

The Cultural Center highlighted that the municipal budget for Lučani had allocated substantial funds for the festival this year. This included 2.5 million dinars for performers and an additional 1.7 million dinars for the stage, technical staff, sound, and lighting, along with funds for promotional materials. The center suggested that individuals within the organizing group are responsible for the festival's potential demise for reasons known only to them.

Organizers expressed their deep disappointment over the decision not to hold the festival, noting conversations with attendees who emphasized its significance. They described the past decade as a culmination of "arduous and dedicated work by a small number of people" who consistently overcame numerous problems. They expressed hope for "freer days for the entire society, and thus better treatment for all mentioned events."

The "Sabor rokenrola" festival, founded in 2015, was typically held in the latter half of July and offered free admission. It was conceived as a counterpoint to the more traditional Dragačevski Sabor (Dragačevo Assembly), aiming to provide a "harder sound" for the citizens of Lučani and Serbia. The conflict now centers on who truly controls the festival and whether it will take place.