Serbian Professor's Silent Protest: Award Win Highlights Student Activism

Serbian Professor's Silver Lion Award Highlights Student Protests Against Corruption On May 10th, 2025, Vladan Joler, a professor from the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, won a prestigious Silver Lion award at the Venice Architecture Biennale. However, Joler notably chose not to attend the ceremony. Instead, he dedicated the award to his students actively protesting against what they describe as a corrupt regime in Serbia. This bold act has sparked debate about academic freedom and political activism in the country. The video reveals that Joler's colleague, Ivan Kljajić, contacted various Serbian media outlets, including Radio Television of Serbia (RTS), to report on Joler's win and its political significance. However, while some online portals reported on the story, RTS did not, leading to accusations of bias and censorship. This inaction has fueled criticism of RTS's role as a public service broadcaster. "We contacted all the major media outlets, but only one online portal responded," says Ivan Kljajić, a colleague of Joler's at the University of Novi Sad. "The lack of coverage from RTS is deeply concerning, especially given the importance of this event." Joler's decision to dedicate his award to the student protestors underscores the growing discontent with the current political climate in Serbia. The contrast between his international recognition and the apparent suppression of the story within Serbia highlights the ongoing struggle for transparency and accountability.