EXIT festival cancels music event in occupied Kyrenia

The Serbian production company EXIT Festival has officially withdrawn from the 'Nexus' music event, which was scheduled for September 18, 2026, at the historical Kyrenia Castle in the occupied territories of Cyprus. The decision follows widespread political and diplomatic pressure from the Republic of Cyprus, including interventions by MEP Loukas Fourlas and members of the ELAM party, who argued that holding a major international event in the occupied north would legitimize the illegal status quo and undermine the sovereign rights of the Republic.

In an official statement, EXIT expressed deep regret for its initial involvement, acknowledging that it had not fully understood the sensitivity of the region's geopolitical history. The organizers emphasized that while their mission is to promote peace and reconciliation through music, the controversy surrounding the site made it impossible to proceed. Government sources in Nicosia confirmed that discrete diplomatic efforts were successful in highlighting the risks of such a venue. There is now a possibility that the event could be relocated to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus, as the organizers acknowledge their responsibility regarding the historical and cultural significance of the castle.