AGP Executive Report

Student Solidarity: Hundreds gathered outside Belgrade’s Faculty of Philosophy to back Dean Danijel Sinani after an attack, with speakers framing it as an attack on university autonomy and the student movement. Mental Health & Youth: A new Serbia-focused conference warns children and young people face a mental health crisis, calling for earlier support and better links between schools, families, health and social services. Culture Diplomacy: The National Museum of Serbia opened a Belgrade exhibition of Hebei cultural relics from China, using ancient “smiles” to underline shared human experience and friendship. Kosovo Verdict Watch: In The Hague, a war crimes tribunal is set to deliver a verdict in Hashim Thaci’s case, while thousands rally in Kosovo ahead of the decision. Serbia–Azerbaijan Ties: President Vučić received Azerbaijan’s new ambassador and stressed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, culture, education and tourism, including EXPO 2027. Religion & Community: Serbian Orthodox clergy report ongoing pressure on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, while pilgrims and hierarchs hold joint prayers for peace. Design & Travel Culture: A profile of Dutch studio MDESIGNS highlights how river-cruise interiors are shaped by social and cultural trend forecasting, alongside news of a new Amsterdam–Belgrade river cruise for 2027.

Culture & Stage: Soulpepper’s docu-concert The Secret Chord—a Leonard Cohen experience—returns to the Segal Centre in Toronto (Oct. 5–25), with rewritten storytelling and a live band reworking Cohen classics through soul, blues and gospel. Youth & Care: A Serbia-focused conference warns that 20% of children aged 9–18 meet criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder, calling for earlier, prevention-first mental health support and better links between schools, families, health and social services. Education & Gender: A global map shows women more often than men go to college in most countries, with the gap widening in many major economies. Serbian Identity & Heritage: In northern Serbia, Banat Bulgarians gathered in Ivanovo for folk performances and cultural diplomacy, highlighting centuries-old community roots. Religion & Community: Serbian Orthodox leaders in Montenegro and Ukraine speak out against alleged persecution of the UOC, while Patriarch Porfirije urges that a monk’s death not be used as a political weapon. Politics in the Region: Kosovo lawmakers installed Albin Kurti’s new government after June elections, but the wider political impasse continues. International Cooperation: Serbia and China launched joint police patrols in Hainan to improve safety for tourists. Sports & Pride: Serbian judoka Mihajlo Simin reached the -81 kg final and booked a place in the gold-medal bout.

Kosovo Court Drama: Thousands rallied in Pristina to back former KLA leader Hashim Thaci and three co-accused ahead of a war-crimes verdict in The Hague, with crowds chanting “in the name of the people, declare them innocent.” Serbian Orthodox Church: Patriarch Porfirije sent condolences over the murder of a monk at Sviatohirsk Lavra, calling the monastery a refuge and warning against turning the death into a political weapon. Museum of Yugoslavia: Belgrade’s Museum of Yugoslavia abruptly canceled its “Summer in Muzey” screening plans, including Jasmila Žbanić’s film “Bloom,” raising questions about cultural programming and artistic freedom. Banat Bulgarians: A Banat Bulgarian cultural gathering in the Serbian village of Ivanovo brought folk ensembles from Serbia, Romania, and Bulgaria, spotlighting shared heritage and language. Belgrade Jazz Festival: Belgrade Jazz Festival 2026 announced a packed lineup of 13 concerts, keeping the city’s music scene moving into mid-September. Sports & Culture: Nikola Jokić spoke about becoming “ruder” to fans as fame wears him down, while Serbian judoka Mihajlo Simin reached a -81 kg final after a strong run. Charity & Food Culture: Italy’s ambassador joined Belgrade’s “Mangia. Dona. Ama.” charity festival to support children and adolescents with cancer through Italian cuisine and fundraising.

Serbian Orthodox Church: Patriarch Porfirije sent condolences over the murder of a monk at Sviatohirsk Lavra, calling the monastery a refuge for displaced people and urging that the killing not be used as a political weapon. Culture & Museums: The Museum of Yugoslavia abruptly canceled its “Summer in Muzey” program, including a planned Jasmila Žbanić film screening, sparking debate about artistic freedom and museum leadership. Film & Awards: Serbia’s Oscar race heats up as “Excursion” is reported as a Serbian candidate—while the Film Center of Serbia reportedly withdrew the news, with questions about approvals. Sports & Community: Nikola Jokić says he’s becoming “ruder” to fans because constant attention is exhausting—an off-court look at fame’s pressure. Food & Charity: Italy’s Ambassador Luca Gori joined “Mangia. Dona. Ama.” in Belgrade, a charity festival raising funds for children and teens with cancer. Belgrade Education: The dean of the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš was attacked and robbed, with the incident tied to ongoing harassment of academics. Belgrade Arts: ne:Bitefa returns with international artists after a clash with institutional Bitef, leaning into civil disobedience and independent programming.

Kosovo Court Showdown: Tens of thousands rallied in Pristina demanding the acquittal of former KLA leader Hashim Thaci and three co-accused ahead of a war-crimes verdict in The Hague, with supporters chanting “UCK” and calling them “liberators.” Serbian Orthodox Church: Patriarch Porfirije sent condolences over the murder of a monk at Sviatohirsk Lavra, urging that the killing not be used as a political weapon and calling the monastery a refuge for displaced people. Belgrade Culture & Arts: The Belgrade Jazz Festival returns for its 42nd edition (Oct 21–24) with 13 concerts and a “Jazz Confluence” theme, while a Belgrade screening event brought Chinese Cinema to Serbian audiences, linking filmmakers across generations. Education & Youth: Serbia’s Mathematical Gymnasium marks 60 years with a celebration of its long-running student community, and Serbia’s student list politics continues to gather support ahead of elections. Film & Culture Policy: The Film Center of Serbia reportedly withdrew news about “Excursion” being Serbia’s Oscar candidate, with claims pointing to pending Ministry of Culture approval. Accessibility & Justice: A report highlights how children with developmental disabilities face barriers to reporting violence and accessing justice in Serbia’s institutions.

Academic Violence in Belgrade: The dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Danijela Sinani, was attacked and robbed near Čika Ljubina Street, with students warning that violence against academics must be stopped. Bitef Defiance: The ne:Bitefa festival lineup for Sept. 20 is taking shape as international artists who skipped the institutional edition still plan to come, keeping the event’s spirit of civil disobedience alive. Justice Access for Disabled Children: A new report says children with developmental disabilities face major barriers to reporting violence in Serbia’s judiciary, from inaccessible spaces to poor communication and weak coordination between services. Expo 2027 Cultural Row: A competition meant to showcase Serbia’s cultural creativity for Expo 2027 has stalled amid a conflict between the Ministry of Culture and Expo 2027 management. Belgrade Jazz Festival 2026: The 42nd edition (Oct. 21–24) returns with 13 concerts under the “Jazz Confluence” slogan, including headliner Ana Popović. Belgrade Politics & Elections: Vučić’s snap election push is paired with pre-vote pay and pension increases, raising fresh questions about the line between state policy and campaign strategy. EU Fallout Over Mladic Funeral: Bosnia’s UN letter and wider European criticism continue after Ratko Mladić’s burial with military honors in Belgrade. Belgrade Pride & LGBT Rights: Activists are renewing calls for same-sex union legislation ahead of Pride events.

Serbian Cinema: “The Outing” (Izlet), directed by Nenad Pavlović, has been chosen as Serbia’s candidate for the 99th Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category, with the story following a young artist fleeing a totalitarian society. EU & Regional Politics: Serbia’s EU path is again in the spotlight after Bosnia and Herzegovina sent a UN letter urging member states to respond to the “institutional glorification” of Ratko Mladić, while EU leaders and others continue to condemn the hero’s funeral and military honours. Culture & Heritage: An exhibition of Hebei “Smiles” cultural relics opened at the National Museum of Serbia in Belgrade, featuring 8,000-year-old artefacts and a message of shared human experience. Education & Daily Life: Across the Balkans, schools are easing heavy schoolbags with lockers and digital textbooks, with Serbia cited among places where children still carry far more than recommended. Youth & Activism: Serbia’s student movement launched its election campaign in Novi Sad ahead of October 25, presenting candidates and promising a door-to-door push. Sports: Nikola Jokić urged families to focus on values for children, stressing role models should be friends and family.

EU Integration Talks: Serbia’s Marko Đurić says the Western Balkans should shape EU accession pace now, not wait for “major players,” framing it as a win-win regional push. Kosovo-Metohija: Petar Petkovic meets Italy’s envoy Thomas Botzios, stressing Pristina’s standstill on the Community of Serb Municipalities and citing arrests, demolitions, and threats to Serb rights and the Serbian Orthodox Church. Culture & Heritage: A new exhibition of Hebei cultural relics opens in Belgrade, using 8,000-year-old “smiles” artifacts to spotlight shared human experience and friendship. Arts & Film: Serbia’s Oscar hopeful is Nenad Pavlović’s “The Outing,” selected as the 2026 Best International Feature Film entry. Student Life & Activism: The Serbian Student Movement launches an election campaign in Novi Sad, presenting candidates and planning a door-to-door push ahead of October 25 polls. Minority Rights: Calls grow for stronger political representation for Roma voters, urging concrete commitments on jobs, education, healthcare, and anti-discrimination. Sports: Serbia’s Kristina Trifunović wins gold at the Para shooting worlds, while the country’s athletes secure LA28 quota places. International Spotlight: The Ratko Mladić funeral continues to spark regional and EU backlash over Serbia’s “glorification” of a convicted war criminal.

Ratko Mladić Funeral & EU Backlash: Serbia’s state-backed, military-style send-off for convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić in Belgrade—led by Patriarch Porfirije and attended by senior officials—has triggered sharp EU criticism and renewed questions about Serbia’s EU path and its handling of the past. Politics & Elections: With Vučić dissolving parliament and calling snap elections for October 25, the funeral has also been framed inside Serbia as part of the wider campaign mood. Jewish Heritage in Focus: Foreign Minister Marko Đurić marked the centenary of Belgrade’s Sukat Shalom Synagogue, praising the community’s long cultural and social contribution. Art & Culture Abroad: Serbian American painter Dragana Crnjak’s “Forest” solo exhibition opens at the Medici Museum of Art in Ohio, exploring time, memory, perception and landscape. Film Festival: Fine Line Film Fest returns in Belgrade (Sept 18–20) with 23 short films across international and Balkan competitions. Sports & Paralympics: Serbian shooter Kristina Trifunović won gold at the WSPS Worlds in Changwon, while Mona Agarwal secured an LA28 quota place. Serbia in Space: Vučić said Serbia wants deeper involvement in the European space ecosystem, including cooperation with France and a structured relationship with ESA. Online Rights & Safety: UN Women warns AI could deepen inequality for women, while separate reporting highlights risks around spyware targeting activists and students. International Culture & Travel: UN General Assembly adopted the “Correct the Map” resolution (Equal Earth-style), and Serbia-related travel chatter includes ticket guidance for Germany vs Serbia UEFA Nations League matches.

Jewish Heritage in Focus: Serbia’s FM Marko Đurić marked the 100th anniversary of Belgrade’s Sukat Shalom Synagogue, praising the Jewish community’s role in science, culture, and national life. EU Accession Under Pressure: The Ratko Mladić funeral continues to spark backlash, with EU leaders and regional voices condemning Serbia’s “glorification” and questioning its EU path. Snap Elections Set: Serbia’s parliament is dissolved and elections are scheduled for October 25, with electoral-list rules and deadlines now moving into place. Church, Politics, and Fallout: Patriarch Porphyry’s role at the Mladić service draws calls for EU entry bans, while Montenegro prosecutors open a case over a Serbian Orthodox metropolitan’s remarks. Academic Life Under Strain: Staff at the University of Niš Faculty of Philosophy say reaccreditation is being used to pressure the institution, including concerns tied to Serbian Studies. Culture & Film: The 5th Fine Line Film Fest returns Sept. 18–20 in Belgrade with 23 short films and director Q&As. Digital Safety: A UNICEF-backed study highlights how many teens across Europe face online sexual exploitation, with Serbia included among the countries compared.

EU–Serbia Clash: EU leaders slammed Serbia over Ratko Mladić’s “shocking” hero-style funeral, saying it shows a failure to confront a dark past and contradicts EU values. Legal/Church Pressure: Montenegro prosecutors opened a case against Serbian Orthodox Metropolitan Metodije for praising Mladić as a “holy knight,” while Serbia’s own prosecutor reportedly moved against a church figure for glorification. Politics at Home: Serbia’s parliament was dissolved and snap elections were set for October 25, with Vučić urging campaigns to avoid violence. Online Safety: A UNICEF-backed study highlights how teenagers across countries, including Serbia, face technology-facilitated sexual abuse, with social media and messaging apps named as key channels. Culture & Identity: A debate continues over how Serbian history is portrayed in film, alongside coverage of Belgrade’s architecture scene and upcoming regional cultural events. International Ties: Serbia and Uzbekistan signed agreements on mobility and labor migration, deepening Central Asia links.

UN “Equal Earth” Map Vote: The UN General Assembly backed the “Correct the Map” resolution, encouraging use of the Equal Earth projection to show Africa’s true size; 164 countries supported it, with the US the only no and Serbia among the abstainers. Ratko Mladić Funeral Fallout: EU leaders condemned Serbia’s hero’s funeral for convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić, saying official support and senior attendance show a failure to confront the past; the backlash is also spilling into diplomacy, with Bosnia expelling Serbian embassy officials and suspending regional cooperation plans. Children Online Safety: A UNICEF-focused report warns that around 20 million children experienced online sexual exploitation or abuse in a year, with social media and gaming platforms playing major roles and reporting to authorities staying extremely low. Workplace Corruption: A new commentary spotlights “workplace corruption” as a hidden, everyday problem where workers face pressure to stay silent or risk their jobs. Serbia–Uzbekistan Cultural Ties: Serbia and Uzbekistan exchanged multiple agreements, including a culture cooperation programme for 2026–2028 and a cinematographic cooperation deal. LGBT Rights Push: An LGBT activist argues same-sex unions should be legally recognized in Serbia, stressing practical protections without threatening others.

UN Map Reform: The UN General Assembly backed the Equal Earth projection (164-1), with Serbia among the six abstainers, reigniting debates about how “flat” maps shape history and power. LGBT Rights & Law: LGBT activist Helena Vuković says same-sex unions should be legally registered in Serbia to handle practical issues like inheritance, arguing it won’t threaten others. Mladic Funeral Fallout: Ratko Mladić’s Belgrade burial with military honours drew sharp EU condemnation, with Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa calling images “shocking” and warning it clashes with EU values; Bosnia also moves to cut diplomatic presence. Regional Church Scrutiny: Montenegro prosecutors opened a case against a Serbian Orthodox bishop for praising Mladić during a service, citing incitement of hatred. Culture & Education: Chinese Cinema screenings bring Yugoslav classics like “The Bridge” to Serbian audiences, while RT Academy announced a free online South Asia journalism course. Local Culture Scene: Bitef’s “no:Bitef” returns as a civil-disobedience-style festival across 60 Belgrade locations.

Cartography & Education: The UN backed the “Correct the Map” push, endorsing the Equal Earth projection to better show Africa’s true size, with Serbia among the abstainers—another reminder that how we draw the world shapes what we believe. Serbian Orthodox Culture & Community: In Sydney, the Greek-Serbian Orthodox & Cultural Friendship Day returns on Sept. 20 with liturgy, food stalls, and traditional dance—an upbeat bridge between faith and heritage. Film Industry Watch: After NAFFIT ended, filmmakers are still waiting on promised Film Center of Serbia competition announcements, raising fresh concerns about stalled funding cycles. Belgrade Funeral Fallout: Thousands attended the funeral of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladić in Belgrade, led by Patriarch Porfirije and marked with military honours—sparking EU warnings about glorification and deepening divisions at home and abroad. Politics & Protests: Serbia’s PM proposed dissolving parliament for early elections, seen as a bid to tighten control after months of unrest. International Ties: Uzbekistan’s President Mirziyoyev visited Belgrade with state-level ceremony and new cooperation talks, including labor-mobility plans.

War & Memory in Belgrade: Thousands gathered at St. Luke Church and later Topčider Cemetery to bid farewell to convicted Bosnian Serb war criminal Ratko Mladić, with Serbian Orthodox Patriarch Porfirije leading services, military honours, flags, and large crowds—scenes that drew sharp EU condemnation over “glorification” and prompted cancelled visits and warnings from Brussels. Regional Culture & Identity: Reports from Republika Srpska show how Mladić is still framed by many locals as a defender of Serb rights, with memorials and public tributes reigniting old divisions. Belgrade Pride 25 Years: Activists marked 25 years of Pride in Belgrade with renewed calls for legal recognition of same-sex unions and stronger protection against hate and police violence, linking the moment to broader threats to human rights. UN Map Reform: The UN backed a “Correct the Map” push to use projections that better reflect Africa’s true size, a move aimed at reshaping how children and the public visualize the world. Tech & Security Backdrop: Separate coverage highlights ongoing controversy around spyware allegations targeting Serbian students and activists.

LGBTQ Visibility in Belgrade: Belgrade held its Sept. 5 Pride March with thousands of people and allies, rainbow flags and messages like “There Is Room for Us All” and “Visibility is not propaganda,” while organizers warned of threats and unmet demands amid rising attacks. Ratko Mladic Funeral Fallout: The Sept. 7 burial of convicted war criminal Ratko Mladic in Belgrade is already reshaping public life, from a Sept. 5 Army Hall commemoration to reports of state and church framing that critics say sanitizes genocide language. EU Scrutiny Over Surveillance: An EU Greens MEP called Serbia’s alleged spyware against students and activists a criminal attack on democracy, urging a clear EU response. Culture Exchange in Leskovac: The Greek “Arnaia Wedding” brought Aristotelia folklore to Serbia, with traditional textiles, music, and a symbolic ceremony led by a priest. Film Spotlight: Manaki Brothers 2026 announced its competition lineup, including Serbian and regional co-productions and a major honor for Danish cinematographer Dan Laustsen. UN Map Debate With Serbia in the Mix: The UN backed “Correct the Map,” promoting equal-area projections; Serbia abstained, while India stressed that any depiction must match its official territory. UNICEF Child Safety Alert: A UNICEF report says about 20 million children aged 12–17 across 21 countries faced technology-facilitated sexual abuse or exploitation, with Serbia included in the research.