First day of KROKODIL Festival 2024

03 Jun First day of KROKODIL Festival 2024

The sixteenth edition of the KROKODIL Festival, titled “Gimme Shelter,” will kick off on Friday, June 21, at 12 PM in the Debate Zone in the park in front of the Museum of Yugoslavia with the first edition of international meetings for publishers called “Meet me in Belgrade.” For the first time at KROKODIL Festival, publishers from Serbia, the region, Europe, and Latin America, from over twenty different countries, will have the opportunity to connect, discuss, exchange experiences, talk about challenges and trends in publishing, and explore possibilities and spaces for collaboration. The program is designed to encourage constructive exchange of opinions and open doors for future initiatives in the literary world.

From 5 PM in the Debate Zone of the festival, you will have the opportunity to attend a discussion on the format of stage readings of dramatic texts today. Participants will include actor Svetozar Cvetković, theater director Bojan Đorđev, dramaturge Dimitrije Kokanov, and screenwriter Tanja Šljivar. Following the discussion, there will be a 25-minute stage reading of the dramatic text “Conspirators” by Igor Štiks and Vladimir Arsenijević, performed by students of FMK under the direction of Ivana Milenović Popović from DAH Theater.

At 8 PM, the program moves to the main stage at the amphitheater in front of the Museum of Yugoslavia. The first to take the stage will be young writer Nađa Petrović. We will discuss her work on novels, short films, and series, and, of course, her latest novel “Jellyfish Live Forever Until Caught,” which has attracted great attention and made it to the shortlist for the 2024 NIN Award.

Next, we will hear Marko Tomaš, the author of some of the most striking poetry collections, with a total of 16 published poetry books. His works, such as “May 39th,” “Let’s Shorten the Story by a Head,” and “Poems from the Vending Machine,” have become regional hits. Last year, he published his novel “Book for Maja.”

The main literary star of the evening is the renowned French writer Mathias Énard, with whom we will discuss his literary opus, including the novel “Annual Banquet of the Gravediggers’ Brotherhood.” Critics have proclaimed his novel “Zone” as one of the most original books of the decade, while “Compass” won the prestigious Goncourt Prize. That same evening, Faruk Šehić, a writer of the “trampled” generation and winner of prestigious literary awards, whose works have been translated into sixteen world languages and published in twenty countries, will also be featured.

The sofa interview for this evening is reserved for the renowned rock photographer Brian Rašić. Over the years, Rašić has photographed some of the biggest names in music, from Muddy Waters and Frank Sinatra to Robbie Williams and Coldplay. His photographs have captured not only stage performances but also intimate moments offstage, such as portraits of Kate Bush and Beyoncé. Known as a great fan of the Rolling Stones, he has followed their work for years, documenting unforgettable moments of this legendary band.

Between the talks, you will have the opportunity to enjoy a mini-concert by Duda Buržujka, who will further enhance the atmosphere with her unique musical style.

Mima Simić and Daško Milinović will be in the role of hosts and ensure good entertainment.

Program download HERE

Tickets are available through the GIGS TIX sales network and online at new.gigstix.com, as well as at the KROKODIL Center (weekdays from 12 PM to 8 PM) and at the festival box office one hour before the start of the program.