Sabor of Serbian Folk Music 2026: Who Hosts Both Nights
Marija Veljkovic, Stefan Mrvaljevic and Ivana Milenkovic, who makes her debut, host the eighth edition. Two nights, 32 new songs and prizes of up to 300,000 dinars.
“I bob along to some of the songs, of course… Marija has even had to rein me in a few times when I overdo it,” admits Stefan Mrvaljevic, one of the three hosts of the eighth Sabor of Serbian Folk Music. He said it laughing, but it describes the job waiting for him in the television studio at Kosutnjak: running a competition without pretending to be indifferent to a song he likes.
His co-host Marija Veljkovic says she is in the same position. “I truly love hearing a good folk song, in the competition and in the showcase part alike. I don’t even try to hide my delight when a song appeals to me,” she says.
Who hosts the eighth Sabor of Serbian Folk Music?
RTS announced on October 9 that the festival will be hosted by Marija Veljkovic, Stefan Mrvaljevic and Ivana Milenkovic. Marija and Stefan already know the Sabor atmosphere, while Ivana is hosting it for the first time. RTS and the Association of Serbian Pop and Music Artists (SEMUS) organize the festival together, and it is a competition.
Ivana Milenkovic, who makes her hosting debut, does not promise a cool head:
“I am aware of how important it is to remain completely neutral, because every performer and author deserves equal treatment and maximum support. Still, I believe it is impossible to switch off empathy. I will be cheering for each of our 32 contestants this year to give their very best.”
The number she mentions is the total across both nights: 16 new compositions are presented on each.
When is it on, and what is sung each night?
The first night is on Tuesday, October 13, and is devoted to old-town songs and romances. The authors of 16 new compositions compete for prizes. Zvonko Bogdan and the ensembles Tamburica 5 and Svilen konac perform in the showcase part, and Aleksandra Ivanov Cake performs last year’s winning song in this category. The contestants are accompanied by the SEMUS Sabor Orchestra and the Large Tamburitza Orchestra of Radio Television of Vojvodina.
“Old-town songs take us to an older and, I would say, more romantic time, without phones and today’s speed,” says Marija Veljkovic.
The second night, Thursday, October 15, brings another 16 newly composed folk songs. Milance Radosavljevic opens the showcase part, Snezana Kopunovic sings last year’s winning song of this category, and Ana Bekuta performs a medley of her best-known songs. The contestants are backed by the SEMUS Sabor Orchestra and the Folk Ensemble of RTS Music Production. Stefan Mrvaljevic describes the change of pace: “On the first night of the eighth Sabor program we bring elegance, tradition and that wistful, timeless emotion that stays with you. On the second night we pick up the rhythm, with newly composed folk songs.”
The broadcast runs on RTS programs and platforms and is recorded in the studio at Kosutnjak in Belgrade. Sources differ on the start time of the second night. RTS’s text of October 9 gives RTS 2 at 9:30 p.m. for both days. An earlier RTS announcement of the festival says 9:00 p.m. for October 15 and gives no time for October 13. Since the time has already changed once, check the TV schedule shortly before the broadcast.
How much does a win pay?
Three compositions are rewarded in each category: 300,000 dinars for first place, 200,000 for second and 100,000 for third. Special awards are also given for lyrics, interpretation and arrangement.
Viewers choose the “Audience Winner” by text message, and it pays 100,000 dinars in both categories. RTS directs its share of the revenue from those messages to humanitarian purposes. SEMUS’s annual awards are also presented during the festival, and the recipients include violinist Branko Belobrk.
RTS’s announcements do not name the 32 contestants or their songs; the lists of participants were published separately.
What do the hosts tell the contestants?
Stefan Mrvaljevic has advice that fits in one sentence: “Sing from the heart, enjoy every note and, if you get stage fright, turn to us.” Marija Veljkovic has a wish for the whole event: that this year’s Sabor will “bring forth another new hit”.
