Boskovic Makes His Exit

SERBIA – Exit Festival general manager and chief exec Bojan Boskovic has left the company and his role will be taken over by his former cell mate.

In 2004 Boskovic and Dusan Kovacevic, who was then the Serbian festival’s president, were jailed so they couldn’t “interfere with witnesses” while they were being investigated for “misuse of official position.”

That’s the country’s lowest grade of financial crime, and it is highly unusual for people to be held while under investigation for it.

After a brief legal battle and a howl of media and public protest, both were released without charge.
Apparently, the only problem was that the accounts for Exit 2003 didn’t have a complete list of the names of all the journalists who had been given free tickets.

Many in Serbia and the wider European live music industry felt their being jailed was less of a financial matter than a political intrigue.

Boskovic has moved to Brazil for personal and family reasons and Kovacevic’s succession isn’t expected to bring about any radical changes.

“Exit 2013 will pay tribute to its roots which was youth movement for positive change in society,” Boskovic said. “We will organise lectures and debates on issues of importance for democracy in the world and global human rights.”

This year’s Exit July 10-14 will be preceded by a series of concerts and club shows in the city of Novi Sad in a bid to give the festival a carnival atmosphere.