Loud Silence

Student protests in Serbia

What began as a spontaneous act of mourning in November 2024, following the collapse of a canopy in Novi Sad that claimed 16 lives, evolved into the largest student protest movement in Serbia’s history. After the tragedy, students across the country united, protesting in the streets in grief while calling for justice and accountability. Their protests remained dignified and peaceful, even as those in power persistently dismissed their demands, refused to take responsibility, and relentlessly attacked them — often physically. By organizing sixteen minutes of silence every day and raising lights in honor of the victims, the students created a visual poetry — one that resonated far beyond national borders and attracted the world’s attention.

Over time, this collective action grew into a comprehensive civic movement, questioning the deeper roots of corruption and institutional abuse. In this way, the protests transcended mere expressions of political dissatisfaction and awakened hope that society could be rebuilt on new, fairer foundations.

Since the early 1990s, regional relations have been systematically undermined, and Vučić’s regime continued to manipulate divisions and fabricate nonexistent threats to Serbia’s sovereignty, such as the slogan “Vojvodina is Serbia,” which dominated Vučić’s (counter) rallies held from early 2025. While Vučić exploited the dominant nationalist patterns of the last three and a half decades, the students awakened and raised awareness throughout Serbia from a long-standing nightmare, spreading messages of love, unity, and solidarity. Traveling the country on foot, both lengthwise and crosswise, they reached the most isolated places, greeted by touching scenes of local hospitality. They succeeded in bridging a great divide and embracing various nationalities and religions, not only in Serbia but throughout the entire region, in a fight for a just society based on mutual respect and the richness of diversity.

Undoubtedly, Vučić’s last line of defense is his fortress in the center of Belgrade, called Ćacilend, inhabited by people who, in any orderly society, would be marginalized — those with questionable backgrounds, criminals, hooligans, blackmailed individuals, socially vulnerable people, as well as all those willing to fiercely defend what they deeply know does not belong to them — power, authority, and privileges. It is only a matter of time before Vučić’s stronghold collapses like a house of cards under the force of the winds of radical change for which the students consistently stand, successfully resisting all attempts to manipulate and undermine their struggle.

A student's hand during the protest in front of the Constitutional Court in Belgrade.

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.

16 minutes of silence in front of Constitutional Court in Belgrade.

Police cordon on the Old Sava Bridge. The police are protecting the bridge from demonstrators who are trying to protect it from demolition.

A young student from the Art Academy at the protest in front of the pro-regime TV station RTS.

Student protest in front of the pro-regime TV station RTS.

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.

Police cordon at the largest protest in Serbia’s history, held on March 15, 2025.

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.

Students during protest in front of the pro-regime media ''Informer''.

15 minutes of silence in front of the pro-regime media ''Informer''.

A couple during protest in front of the pro-regime media ''Informer''.

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''

Pro-regime media ''Informer''.

Students direct lasers to the building of pro-regime media ''Informer''.

Loud Silence

Student protests in Serbia

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