10 Years of Cirkuliranje: When People Circulate, Change Begins
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Some festivals last for a day.Some projects last for a few years. But some ideas continue to live through the people they bring together.
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More Than a Festival.
Cirkuliranje has never been just the name of a festival. From the very beginning, it has represented the belief that people, knowledge, culture, sport, art and positive energy should continuously circulate, connect and create new value. For ten years, this simple idea has been bringing together generations, professions and communities, proving that meaningful change begins when people connect and create together.
Over the past decade, this vision has grown into educational and community platforms such as Pupin’s Challenge, international projects like Digital Challenge, numerous cultural and artistic programmes, participation in international platforms and festivals including Burning Man and Timișoara – European Capital of Culture 2023, as well as sports and community initiatives that have connected hundreds of young people from Serbia, Romania and across the region.
Today, all of this forms one growing story that continues to inspire new people and new ideas.
Two Pillars of the Anniversary
We celebrated the tenth anniversary of Cirkuliranje in the way that best reflects who we are – through meeting people, sharing ideas, sport, art and creating together.
This year’s anniversary was built around two flagship programmes that perhaps best represent what Cirkuliranje has become today: an international cycling ride and the first comics art colony ever organised by Cirkuliranje.
The Vršac Mountains – A Potential Ready to Be Recognised
The international cycling ride was designed to showcase the extraordinary potential of the Vršac Mountains for cycling, outdoor recreation, sustainable tourism and healthy lifestyles. Its message was clear: this remarkable natural area has reached the moment when its potential deserves to be recognised and responsibly developed while preserving the unique environment that makes it so valuable.
We believe that the Vršac Mountains are among the greatest natural treasures of our region and have everything needed to become a recognised destination for cycling, outdoor activities and nature-based tourism for visitors from Serbia, Romania and beyond. Protecting this landscape is not only an environmental responsibility, but also an opportunity for the sustainable development of Vršac and the wider cross-border region.
Through initiatives like this, we hope to encourage greater international recognition of the Vršac Mountains and support their future as a destination where nature conservation, recreation, education and tourism can successfully grow together.
The international cycling ride – participants getting ready to start
Sport That Brings People Together
The programme began at the Army Hall in Vršac, where participants enjoyed an impressive demonstration by the Karika Fencing Club. Young fencers showed how discipline, dedication and passion for sport can inspire new generations.
Visitors also had the opportunity to discover the work of the Društvance Sports Association, which presented archery and invited participants to experience this unique sport firsthand. Once again, Cirkuliranje demonstrated that sport is much more than competition—it is a space for learning, inclusion, friendship and building stronger communities.
Archery practical demonstration
The First Comics Art Colony of Cirkuliranje
While cyclists promoted the importance of preserving the Vršac Mountains through movement and direct contact with nature, artists explored the very same message through the language of the ninth art. Two completely different forms of expression, united by one common idea: nature is not only where we live—it is a value we have the responsibility to protect.
Artists working at Comics art colony
This year’s art colony marked the first comics art colony ever organised by Cirkuliranje. As comics colonies are relatively rare, we were especially proud to celebrate our anniversary by introducing a programme dedicated to the ninth art.
Under the theme “What Hides Among the Bushes”, participating artists explored ecology and environmental protection through different creative approaches. Their works connected people, the Vršac Mountains and nature itself, reminding us that even in the digital age, the natural world remains one of our greatest sources of inspiration.
People Are Cirkuliranje’s Greatest Achievement
This year’s comics colony was directed by Bojan Zavišin, making the programme particularly meaningful for all of us. His first solo exhibition was organised within Cirkuliranje back in 2017, and today he returned as an established artist and the artistic director of the colony. Few stories better illustrate the true spirit of Cirkuliranje than seeing young creators who once took their first steps here return to lead new programmes and inspire future generations.
Work of Bojan Zavišin – comic that reveals “secrets” of Vršac mountains
A particularly memorable contribution came from Sale Grujić, who transformed a story by Dušan Belča into a compelling short comic, while the other participating artists presented a series of inspiring concepts that confirm the great potential of this artistic programme to become an important part of future editions of Cirkuliranje.
A comic by Sale Grujić, inspired by the writings of Dušan Belča
Where New Ideas Begin
After the international cycling ride, participants gathered once again at the Army Hall to exchange impressions and continue the conversations that had started throughout the day. The programme then continued over a shared lunch hosted by one of the festival partners, in the relaxed atmosphere that has always been one of Cirkuliranje’s defining characteristics.
It is often during these informal conversations that new ideas, future collaborations and lasting friendships are born. Over the past ten years, many of Cirkuliranje’s initiatives have grown from exactly these moments—people meeting, exchanging experiences and deciding to take the next step together.
Connecting, Sharing Ideas & Planning New Adventures
An Evening of Community
The evening programme was dedicated to celebrating ten years of Cirkuliranje.
Together with the Zvončići Music Centre, the poetry of Mika Antić, and the traditional performance of the Cirkuliranje anthem, we celebrated a decade of an idea that continues to bring together people of different generations, professions and interests.
The wonderful Zvončići delighted everyone in attendance
Ten Years Later
Ten years later, Cirkuliranje is no longer simply a festival.
It is a community built through friendships, partnerships, international cooperation, educational and community platforms, cultural initiatives and sports programmes. Above all, it is a community of people who continue to create opportunities for others and contribute to the development of the places where they live.
Gratitude to Those Who Build Cirkuliranje
Our deepest gratitude goes to our long-standing friends and supporters—first and foremost Etno kuća Dinar, which has stood beside Cirkuliranje since its very beginning, as well as Swisslion Takovo and the Orlić Family Winery, whose continued support has helped this idea grow year after year.
We also extend our sincere thanks to the partners who helped deliver this year’s programme—Karpas Sports Club for its contribution to the cycling programme, the Zvončići Music Centre, the Karika Fencing Club, and the Društvance Sports Association, whose dedication, expertise and enthusiasm gave this anniversary its unique character.
A special thank you belongs to the people of Vršac who have never sought recognition or wished to stand in the spotlight. Many have chosen to remain anonymous, yet their quiet support has often been essential to everything Cirkuliranje has achieved. At some of the most important moments throughout these ten years, their trust, generosity and encouragement made all the difference.
This anniversary belongs to them as much as it belongs to everyone else who has been part of this journey.
When People Circulate, Change Begins
Because when people circulate, ideas circulate.
When ideas circulate, change begins.
That is what Cirkuliranje has been about for the past ten years.
Cirkuliranje anthem!
