Osijek's Liberty Festival takes place between the 25th and the 27th of August, 2017.
This morning the organisers of the inaugural Liberty Festival elaborated on this coming weekend's events in Osijek. With the support of City of Osijek, Osjecko Pivovara, local DJs and The Water Mill, Osijek, all systems are go!
Event organiser Damir Katusic explained that the festival is a vision to bring together alternative ideas, people and more importantly, to encourage positive migration. Osijek and Baranja region has witnessed a diminishing population, one that can be contributed to lack of industry. In days gone by, this region was a hive of industry and delivered its products around the world. Today is quite a different story, with the remnants of derelict factories scattered all over the region.
In addition, the region is a major contributor to the agriculture sector, but in reality, this seems to heavily depend on one or two industry players. Many farmers are struggling to meet their own obligations, as they carry debt due to the crisis with Agrokor. Unfortunately, they appear to have been sold a dream and have ended up in a nightmare. This trend is changing today, as many farmers have formed alliances and networks so that they can cooperate without relying on one or two options. On the horizon is perhaps a white light, in the form of an Ethical Bank which is currently seeking to obtain a banking license in Croatia. Their vision is
one of clarity, owned by its members.
The bank focus is on contributing to a better society and the well-being of its co-owners, a pleasant change from traditional banking resources. Liberty Festival begins on Friday 25th August at the Catacombes in Osijek at 1400. Opening with a conference ''Empower Yourself'', the organisers will show the type of future that is possible in the region.
On the back of a cooperation agreement with innovator Tomislav Tesla, a descendant of Nikola Tesla, the conference will present ''Tesla Sustainable Village and Tesla Innovation Centre''. In addition, representatives of the Ethical Banking Association (SEF) Toni Tvrtković and Danijela Šunić, will share how important their role is in the community and how they can help.
Other highlights include Alan Slapar, who will present the GOGreen Marketplace, a concept that shows how to build your own distribution system. Ivan Bertović will be communicating the ideology of freedom, along with Luka Pejić, who will share the history of Anarchism in Croatia. There will be an open Q&A session, where the audience can ask their questions of the panel.
Finally, the conference will be handed over to AIESEC – a group of 7 young students who chose Osijek to study. They will be presenting their cultures through different means; clothing, figurines, and food. During the night hours, the catacombs will be transformed into a musical extravaganza called ''History Edition''. A group of local DJs have joined resources to present their style of electronic music across the decades. The DJ list is quite impressive and is made up of some of the more famous local icons of electronic music. DJs Flegma, Sub Effect, and Marko Felinger, will take to the stage from 20:00 until 06:00.
Liberty Festival has also incorporated an International Bicycle event, bringing together cyclists from all over the region. Up to 100 cyclists and their supporting crew, are expected to participate in a race from Batina to Osijek. The award ceremony will take place at Vodenice on the Drava, where, as part of the festival will also be home to some education programs for the younger generations. Simultaneously at the Catacombs will be another day of ''Empower Yourself'', an impressive list of speakers and topics awaits.
First to the stage is Mario Nakic of Liberal.hr, who will discuss globalisation, the advantages, and disadvantages, myths and omissions. Followed by Darko Balaš, who will talk about tourism and how to capitalise on it through customer satisfied service. Roger Ver will join by video call and will discuss the new parallel systems that are slowly, but surely making their presence known around the world. He will discuss Bitcoin, Steemit and the future of Block chain technology, and its importance for the evolution of man. Finally, Aleksandar Popović will stimulate the mind with an open discussion around DMT – The Spirit Molecule.
To close the festival will be yet another group of local DJs who will present part two of History Edition ''The Regeneration – Urban Tribe''. DJs 3TT, Tranceportedman and Mind Manifest will take to the stage and take the festival to 06:00 on Sunday 27th August.
For further details of the festival, click here or visit their Facebook page.
