Jerma Art Festival '26 (JAF26)

The Jerma Art Festival is a cultural and ecological gathering held each summer in the village of Vlasi near Pirot, at the entrance to the breathtaking Jerma River canyon. Set in one of Serbia’s most striking natural landscapes, the festival was created with the idea of bringing art beyond city walls and into rural spaces, making culture accessible to all while honoring the environment that surrounds it.What makes the festival unique is its location and atmosphere. Instead of stages and galleries in crowded urban settings, visitors find themselves surrounded by mountains, forests, and the sound of the Jerma River. Here, music, film, workshops, and art blend seamlessly with the natural world. The result feels less like a conventional festival and more like a communal retreat, where creativity thrives in the open air.The festival’s program is multidisciplinary, spanning music, film, and visual art, as well as creative workshops for both adults and children. Local residents, visiting artists, and travelers from abroad come together in a shared space, erasing the boundary between audience and performer. Artistic presentations and workshops are often outdoors or in old barns and village spaces coverted into ateliers and exibitons.The atmosphere is simple, open, and inclusive. Admission is free, reinforcing the belief that culture should belong to everyone. Visitors often camp by the river or stay with families in the village, sharing meals, music, and stories. For a few days, Vlasi transforms into a cultural hub where generations and nationalities meet. Families with children, local villagers, young travelers, and international guests all coexist naturally, forming a temporary community built on creativity and trust.Equally important is the festival’s ecological spirit. Organizers place a strong emphasis on sustainability, encouraging visitors to respect the environment and reduce their footprint. Art and ecology are seen as partners, showing how creativity can inspire people to live more consciously and harmoniously with the natural world.For the local community, the festival brings renewed life and attention to a region often overlooked, while for visitors, it offers a rare opportunity to step away from modern routines and rediscover the essentials: art, nature, and human connection. Without the pull of constant connectivity, the festival becomes a space to recharge, reflect, and embrace a slower rhythm of life.One of the festival’s most refreshing qualities is the absence of constant digital connection. There is no Wi-Fi, and cell service is patchy at best. Rather than being a drawback, this has become part of the festival’s charm: visitors take a break from the endless notifications, scrolling, and noise of the everyday digital space, and instead find themselves truly present in the moment. Freed from online distractions, guests engage more deeply with the performances, the workshops, the natural surroundings, and, most importantly, with one another. Conversations by the river or around a campfire replace virtual chats, and the sense of being unplugged enhances the intimacy and authenticity of the experience.Looking ahead, the Jerma Art Festival seeks to grow thoughtfully, expanding its cultural and ecological reach while preserving its core values: openness, sustainability, and authenticity. It is not a festival of mass tourism or commercial spectacle, but of meaningful exchange. It is an event that leaves both the land and the people enriched.In essence, the Jerma Art Festival is more than just an event. It is an experience of reconnection. With creativity, with community, with nature, and with oneself. In a world that moves too quickly and demands constant digital attention, Jerma offers something rare: a pause, a breath, and a chance to simply be present.