The organisers of Serbia's EXIT Festival have confirmed they are withdrawing from NEXUS, the major electronic music event scheduled to take place on 18 September 2026 near Kyrenia Castle.
In a written response to Parathyro, EXIT expressed "sincere and deep regret" over its initial decision to take part in the project, acknowledging that it had not fully understood how deeply the consequences of Cyprus' conflict and division continue to be felt.
"For all these reasons, we express our sincere and deep regret that we agreed to participate in this project and wish to inform the Cypriot public that EXIT has decided to withdraw from it."
EXIT does not back Geadi's claim
The confirmation comes a day after ELAM MEP Geadis Geadi publicly announced EXIT's withdrawal, presenting the development as the result of contacts and actions he had undertaken.
EXIT, however, did not confirm that account.
Although Parathyro specifically asked whether there had been communication with Geadi and whether it played any role in the decision, EXIT did not mention him by name. Instead, it said it listened to concerns raised and spoke with people representing different perspectives as well as institutions in Cyprus.
"We did not understand how deeply the consequences are still felt"
EXIT began its statement by referring to its origins.
The organisation noted that it was founded 26 years ago as a student movement promoting freedom and peace in the Balkans, a region that experienced some of Europe's bloodiest conflicts since the Second World War.
Over time, it said, it evolved into an international music festival and a symbol of bringing together people from countries once divided by war, promoting tolerance, reconciliation and coexistence among different nations, cultures and religions.
According to EXIT, that philosophy was also behind its original decision to join NEXUS.
The organisers said they were aware of Cyprus' history and the division of the island that followed more than half a century ago. However, they admitted they had not fully understood "how deeply the consequences are still felt today".
EXIT said that the fact international artists and major brands had staged events in the northern part of the island in recent years led it to believe that music could, as it had in the Balkans, serve as a bridge between people.
After the NEXUS announcement, however, the organisers said they came to see the context differently.
"It became clear that the context surrounding the project was far more complex and sensitive than we had originally understood."
The significance of Kyrenia
EXIT devoted particular attention to Kyrenia and Kyrenia Castle.
The organisers said discussions and reactions following the announcement helped them understand the "deep historical and emotional significance" of both the town and the castle for the Greek Cypriot community.
They clarified that the event had not been planned inside the castle walls but in close proximity to the site.
Nevertheless, EXIT acknowledged that this did not alter the broader context or symbolism associated with the location.
The festival also pointed out that withdrawing from a project already underway carries "serious legal and financial consequences".
Despite that, it said that based on what it had learned since becoming involved, withdrawal was "the responsible and correct decision".
"We do not want people on opposing sides"
EXIT stressed that its decision was not directed against any community in Cyprus.
"Our intention from the very beginning was to bring people together, and under no circumstances do we want an EXIT event to become another reason for people to find themselves on opposing sides."
The organisers added that, coming from the troubled Balkan region, they understand that cultural projects do not exist in a vacuum, particularly in places where the past remains strongly present.
EXIT said its decision is not aimed at any community, nor at "the people or cultural scene in any part of the island".
At the same time, it expressed hope that there may be another opportunity in the future to appear in Cyprus under circumstances where the focus can remain on "the people, the music and the experience we share".
Support for NEXUS continues in the north
EXIT's withdrawal comes as NEXUS continues to enjoy political backing in the north.
According to a report by Haber Kıbrıs published on 19 August, "tourism minister" Fikri Ataoğlu supported the event, arguing that cultural and artistic activities should not be sacrificed to political considerations.
Ataoğlu described an event associated with the scale of EXIT as important for tourism, international visibility and cultural activity in the north. He also argued that initiatives promoting cooperation, mutual respect and contact between the two communities should be encouraged.
The same report also included comments from La Nouba, the company working with EXIT on the NEXUS project.
"We believe in the unifying power of music," La Nouba said, describing music and culture as a universal language capable of bringing people together rather than dividing them.
The company pointed to Zamna North Cyprus, held at Palm Beach in Famagusta in May 2025, which proceeded despite controversy and reportedly attracted more than 6,000 participants.
In essence, both La Nouba and Ataoğlu maintain that international cultural activity can transcend political divisions.
EXIT, while also promoting reconciliation as part of its identity, now says that in this case culture cannot be separated from the location, its history and its symbolism.
The unanswered question over Geadi
Geadi had publicly stated that he had been in communication with EXIT and later announced the festival's withdrawal, linking the outcome to his own intervention.
EXIT has now confirmed its withdrawal, but not Geadi's claim regarding his role in the decision.
In its response to Parathyro, EXIT neither mentioned his name nor clarified whether any communication took place, despite being asked directly.
Instead, it described a broader process in which it listened to concerns, engaged with people holding different viewpoints and consulted institutions in Cyprus before reassessing its participation in light of the historical and political context.
EXIT withdraws, but what about NEXUS?
One key question remains unresolved.
EXIT has confirmed only its own withdrawal from NEXUS and has not announced the cancellation of the event itself.
Its wording was specific:
"EXIT has decided to withdraw from the NEXUS project in the northern part of Cyprus."
The distinction is significant because La Nouba was still publicly defending NEXUS just one day earlier.
For now, it remains unclear whether the local organisers intend to move ahead without EXIT or whether the withdrawal of the international festival brand will ultimately lead to the cancellation of the event.
