Exactly one year ago, students of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts (FDU) in Belgrade were attacked while paying tribute to victims of the tragic canopy collapse at Novi Sad railway station. Following the attack, student-led faculty blockades spread across Serbia.
To mark the anniversary, FDU students have called on citizens to gather at 11:30 a.m. in front of the faculty building. The protest march will pass by several key locations, including Novi Beograd Municipality, Savski Trg, the Palace of Justice, Mostarska street, and finally the Radio Television of Serbia (RTS) building.
Students emphasized on social media:
“One year after the attack, no one has been held accountable. That is why on Saturday we will pass by every institution responsible. One year, same demand.”
Voices from FDU
Jovana Karaulić, a lecturer at FDU present during the incident, described the peaceful protest that day as a tribute to the victims, but noted that they unexpectedly encountered an organized and aggressive confrontation, calling it the first absurd event of a series by the regime.
Related Academic Reflection
A scientific conference titled “Blockade, If Not Now, Then When” will be held today at the Faculty of Philosophy to mark the anniversary. It will explore sociological, psychological, political, and media perspectives on the student protests. The conference will start after the tribute at 11:52 a.m. and is open to the public.
Background
The original student protests on November 22, 2024, were part of the “Stop, Serbia” initiative, involving 15 minutes of silence and traffic blockades nationwide. During the protests, several drivers confronted the students, and evidence circulated on social media identified members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party among the attackers.
The students’ main demand remains: full accountability for those responsible for the attack, which has yet to be fully realized.
