Source: Blic.rs
Ivana Kupek | 09. 07. 2010. - 00:02h | Foto: S. Vojinović

Crowds of young people in multi-coloured clothes, fuzzy hairs moving about in groups, usually with an easily discernable British English accent, have descended on Novi Sad. That can mean only one thing – the annual music Exit Festival is about to kick off. While some couldn’t be bothered to leave the comforts of the official festival campsite, pacing themselves for the opening night at the Exit 2010, others were walking around Novi Sad asking around what fun content they could experience away from the festival. They opted either for the proven McDonald’s food or for the Serbian trademark barbecue takeaway meat. “The burgers are great!” said a young man, obviously from England.

- “We’ve been waiting for 8 July to come for three months and it’s finally here. We feel great here, we arrived yesterday, settled and now the party can begin. We’ve bought everything we need for today, so we’re going to hang out here until we make for the Fortress. The only thing that bothers me are these wristbands. At least I won’t lose my ticket,” says Paniari, a first-comer to the Exit Festival.Although those foreigners we met at the campsite have never visited the music festival before, there are those at the campsite who have come to Novi Sad for the past eight years. A group from Szeged have come here since 2002 and say Exit is the best festival in Europe. 

- “It’s so relaxed. People in Serbia are really nice and they always greet us well. Everything is allowed here and no one stares at you if you’re having fun, laughing, drinking beer, and simply being young. The Sziget can’t compare with the Exit because there it’s all uptight and rigid,” a Hungarian guy from Szeged compares the two great neighbouring festivals, enjoying his time with a ten-man crew.Not far from their campsite is a small party from Australia, practicing their first words of Serbian – cursing words, naturally – and by walking through the camp one can see the popularity of Exit is not waning among the young British folk. Natalie and Janet are trying to save up as much space as possible for the thirty-odd friends of theirs who they are expecting to see at the Exit Village.

- “We took our drinks and came to this partying area in the camp and we had a great time. Although I haven’t seen the festival itself, I am sure I will be returning home thrilled with the experience,” says a young British girl. Festival-goers are also buying memorabilia and visiting the second annual wine exhibition and tasting in downtown Novi Sad. 

- “I’ve bought a hat because I need it. It’s really lovely and I just couldn’t resist. It’s great here, with the city so small and lovely and everything is so cheep,” says a Petra Oaksville. 

The local people of Novi Sad have already got used to having thousands of foreigners roaming the streets during the four festival days and they promise to be good hosts this year again. On offer right there in the street for those who come from away will be lodging, sandwiches, boiled corn, cold drinks, fresh fruit, home-baked cookies, rain coats, shawls, clothes, light sticks and flashing caps, whistles.