"Bezvremeni" – The First Art-Based Activist Festival in Serbia Addressing the Issue of Ageism

The "Bezvremeni" Festival, held on December 13th and 14th, 2024, at the Novi Sad Theater Újvidéki Színház, is the first art-based activist festival in Serbia dedicated to the fight against ageism, or the discrimination of older people. The festival was initiated by the "Novi Sad – European Capital of Culture" Foundation as part of the international project Age Against the Machine, in collaboration with the Artičoka Association and the Red Cross of Serbia. Its goal was to use artistic expressions to highlight the prejudices and discrimination faced by older people, which are often neglected but deeply rooted in society.
Festival Program
Day One:
- Premiere of the play "Waiting for the Rain": This play addresses various forms of ageism within the family, community, and institutions, as well as structural ageism. Through six scenes, the play depicts everyday situations in which older individuals experience discrimination, marginalization, and indifference, exploring how ageism affects their lives and dignity. The final act was interactive, allowing the audience to directly engage with and reflect on the issues presented.
Day Two:
- Play "Awakened": Produced by the ARTIČOKA Association, this play brings together women over the age of 65 who courageously speak about the challenges of aging, stereotypes, and discrimination they face. After the play, the audience enjoyed a concert by the legendary Biserka Veletanlić accompanied by jazz pianist Vasil Hadžimanov.
Additional Features and Objectives of the Festival
- Exhibition "Stop Violence Against Older People": Organized by the Federal Ministry for Social Affairs, Health, and Consumer Protection of the Republic of Austria, this exhibition shed light on the serious issue of violence against older people.
- Call for Dialogue and Intergenerational Solidarity: Through artistic performances, concerts, and speaking formats, the festival invited open dialogue on ways society can support older people, ensure equal rights and respect, and promote intergenerational solidarity.
The festival was supported by the City of Novi Sad, the European Commission (within the Age Against the Machine project), and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Serbia, which made its realization possible as an important step in raising awareness about the issues older people face and how art can effectively shed light on and analyze these challenges.
This festival represents a significant contribution to the fight against ageism and promotes equality, respect, and dignity for older individuals in society. The experts from the Red Cross of Serbia, Nataša Todorović and dr Milutin Vračević, were responsible for the expert part of the program.







Photo V. Veličković

Photo V. Veličković