Belgrade Philharmonic Union Calls for Leadership Change as Suđić Threatens Legal Action

Belgrade Philharmonic Union Calls for Leadership Change as Suđić Threatens Legal Action
Employees at several Serbian cultural institutions have recently demanded changes in leadership, including at the National Theatre, Atelje 212 and the Belgrade Philharmonic. The Philharmonic’s Syndicate of Musical Artists called for the resignation of acting director Bojan Suđić and the entire Management Board, alongside a public competition for a permanent director.

The dispute follows Suđić’s appointment in January by the government of Đura Macut. At the time, 102 of the orchestra’s 114 members reportedly called for the institution’s permanent leadership to be selected through an open competition. The union later said his tenure had brought tighter controls, reduced professional autonomy, disciplinary pressure and delays in season planning. It argued that the Philharmonic, which employees had built into an internationally respected institution, needed leadership based on “professional integrity” rather than political appointment.

Suđić rejected the union’s account in a response to Danas. He said he could not accept calls for his resignation because he was not unworthy of the position and maintained that his eight months as acting director had improved the institution, its employees and Serbian musical culture. He also said that announcing a director’s competition was necessary and had never been disputed by him.

The acting director denied the allegations in the open letter, describing them as false and malicious. He said the Philharmonic had operated in accordance with the law, that problems had been addressed through communication with employee representatives and that meeting minutes and witnesses supported his account. Suđić announced a possible court case to defend his “truth, honor and reputation.”

The Philharmonic dispute is part of wider unrest in the cultural sector. Atelje 212 employees held a warning strike on October 29 seeking the resignation of acting director Ljubiša Ristić, while National Theatre unions demanded the dismissal of its management and board, citing damage to working conditions, public trust and artistic policy.