GITARIJADA is the oldest and one of the largest international Youth festivals in South-East Europe. Its dedication lies in the promotion of demo rock bands. This year (2007.) is 41st Gitarijada. The goal of this Festival is encouragement and affirmation of music creativity of young people - rock based audience, as an aspect of an essential part of contemporary culture. It leads to gathering of thousands of young people from Serbia and the rest of the Balkan Region, thus increase in cooperation and multicultural aspect amongst them.
The history of this festival dates from the late 60's. Smaller towns follow the principle of Gitarijada (rock festival), which was first held in 1966 in Belgrade, by organizing similar happenings all over the country. The initiative of local bands led to forming of Gitarijada festival in Zajecar. In the beginning, this Festival was organized twice a year. By the end of the 70's and the beginning of the 80's, Zajecar's Guitar Festival (Gitarijada) transcends from local to most important festival of demo rock bands of Ex-Yugoslavia. Hundreds of bands enter the qualification to compete for the title, increase in the number of visitors and ever growing media attention - these are some of the reasons which led to the organization innovations of the Festival. From 1988 festival was held in the town venue, accompanied by numerous of side-programs.
Through out fourthy years of its duration, Gitarijada launched the carriers of many of the bands from the Ex-Yugoslavia. All the winners of the Gitarijada's ‘'Battle of the demo bands'' were awarded with studio time and record deal with major record companies and significant media air-time and promotion. During the years, festival program included the line-up of numerous established bands: Stan Web's & CHICKEN SHAKE, IGHTWING, GIRLSCHOOL (all from England), PIROMANIA and AXAT (Bulgaria), ATOMSKO SKLONIŠTE (Croatia), RUTH HOST (USA), DISCIPLIN A KITCSHME (from Serbia and also England), LEB I SOL (Macedonia), HYPODUST (Canada), HRIAH HEEP (England), etc.
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