Loud Silence
Student protests in Serbia
What began as a spontaneous act of mourning in 2024 evolved into the largest student-led protest movement in the history of Serbia. The immediate catalyst was the tragic collapse of a canopy at the Novi Sad train station on November 1st, which took 16 lives. Following the tragedy, students across the country united protesting on the streets in grief and calling for justice and accountability. Their protests have remained steadfast and peaceful, even as those in power persistently dismissed their demands and refused to take responsibility.
Over time, this collective action grew into a lasting civic movement, challenging the deeper roots of corruption and institutional failure. More than just a political outcry, the protests sparked a renewed hope that a fair and just society could be built on new foundations.
Through sixteen minutes of silence and raised lights in honor of the victims, the students created a visual poetry of dissent - one that resonated far beyond national borders and captured the attention of the world. To be heard without shouting, to resist in ways that are not always loud, but are never truly silent - became the core of their expression.
By using a restrained, black and white, photography this project focus on the emotional and symbolic language of resistance serving as a quiet witness and visual testament.
Student protest in Novi Sad marking three months since the tragedy. A view of the students from inside a tractor cabin.
Student protest in Novi Sad marking one month since the tragedy. Red handprints are left behind as a powerful symbol, delivering the message to the Government: 'Your hands are bloody''.
Protest at the Old Sava Bridge in Belgrade. A flower offered to the police officers, who refuse to accept it.
Police cordon on the Old Sava Bridge. The police are protecting the bridge from demonstrators who are trying to protect it from demolition.
Students at the largest protest in Serbia’s history, held on March 15, 2025. The vandalized tractors with slashed tires were the work of pro-regime youth from the nearby Pionirski Park, intended to portray the students as violent.
Protestors at the largest protest in Serbian history organised by students. Later, the same day, the Serbian government used illegal weapon - sound cannon to disperse the protestors who were silently paying tribute to 15 victimes. The Government denied using the sound weapon. After the protest the 16th victim of the train station tragedy - 18 year old man lost battle for his life in hospital. 15.3.2025. Belgrade, Serbia.
Teachers protest “Educators Stand with Students" in central Belgrade, at the Plato square in front of the Faculty of Philosophy, where several student protest began in the last 60 years. United students and teachers called for general strike next to the mural of the late reformist Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic, who was assassinated in 2003, only two years after he assumed that position following the ousting of Milosevic regime.
Sociologist, Prof. Jovo Bakic one of the harshest critique of Vucic regime, advocating for the revolutionary justice at the protest in front of pro-regime media ''Informer''
