OKTOH – Oktobru hododarje 2026–2027 in Kragujevac – Chamber Music & Remembrance

Welcome to OKTOH – Oktobru hododarje 2026 in Kragujevac

OKTOH – Oktobru hododarje (Chamber Music Celebrations, “A Gift to October”) has run without interruption since 1975 and is one of Serbia’s longest-standing music series. The 52nd edition in 2026 takes place from 1 to 30 October in Kragujevac, organised by the Memorial Park “Kragujevački oktobar”. The word “hododarje” expresses the idea of offering art in memory of the innocent victims of October 1941. Concerts are held mainly at the First Kragujevac Gymnasium (Prva kragujevačka gimnazija) and in other cultural and sacred venues across the city. Admission to the concerts is traditionally free.

Highlights & Attractions at OKTOH in Kragujevac

• Unbroken tradition since 1975: chamber music as an act of remembrance and a message of peace and humanity.
• Free concerts featuring artists and ensembles from Serbia and abroad – from chamber orchestras and vocal groups to international string quartets.
• Main venue: the historic First Kragujevac Gymnasium (Daničićeva 1); other locations include the Cathedral Church of the Assumption and the Museum “21 October” in the Memorial Park.
• 2026 programme includes Divna Ljubojević and the Melodi ensemble, the City Chamber Orchestra Šlezinger with Bulgarian cellist Atanas Krastev, the male vocal ensemble Kanon, the Austrian quartet Acies, and students from the Music School “Dr Miloje Milojević” and FILUM.
• Embedded in the wider October commemorations: close to Bdenje (20 October) and the central ceremony Veliki školski čas (21 October) at the Memorial Park.
• Repertoire ranging from Orthodox spiritual and Byzantine tradition through classical works (including Haydn and Grieg) to contemporary and educational formats.
• Quiet, reflective atmosphere in historic halls – well suited to classical music listeners, remembrance tourism and cultural visits to central Serbia.

Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2026

The 2026 edition runs through October. Confirmed dates: 1 October, 19:00 – opening concert with Divna Ljubojević and Melodi at the Cathedral Church of the Assumption; 6 October, 20:00 – City Chamber Orchestra Šlezinger and Atanas Krastev at the First Kragujevac Gymnasium; 16 October, 20:00 – male vocal ensemble Kanon at the Museum “21 October”; 23 October, 20:00 – Acies Quartet (Austria) at the Gymnasium; 30 October, 20:00 – closing concert with music-school pupils and FILUM students at the Gymnasium. Individual concerts usually last about one to one and a half hours; detailed programmes are announced by the organiser.

OKTOH forms part of the broader October commemorations and is scheduled around the Veliki školski čas. The 2027 edition has not been published in detail yet; the series traditionally returns to Kragujevac every October. Updates appear on spomenpark.rs.

Tickets & Admission for OKTOH – Oktobru hododarje Kragujevac

Admission to OKTOH concerts is traditionally free; in previous years this also applied to reservations. There is no standard paid ticketing system. For information and any notes on seating capacity, contact the Memorial Park “Kragujevački oktobar” (phone +381 34 335 607, website spomenpark.rs). Halls are limited in size, so arriving early is advisable, especially for international guests and the closing concert.

Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Kragujevac

• Getting there: Kragujevac sits in the Šumadija region and is reachable by bus and train from Belgrade (about 1.5–2 hours). The First Kragujevac Gymnasium is central at Daničićeva 1; the Memorial Park and Museum “21 October” are at Desankin venac bb. By car, the city is linked via the main motorway south from Belgrade.
• What to wear: October evenings in Kragujevac can be cool – bring a light jacket or coat. Modest dress is appropriate in the cathedral and historic halls. Keep phones silent during performances.
• Where to stay: Central hotels and apartments offer short walks to the Gymnasium and theatre; for the Memorial Park and Museum “21 October”, staying near Šumarice is practical. Book early in October, as it is a major commemorative period.
• Combine concerts with a visit to the Memorial Park “Kragujevački oktobar”, the Museum “21 October” and – if you are in town on 20–21 October – Bdenje and Veliki školski čas, linking chamber music with the city’s historical context.
• Check programmes and any changes only via spomenpark.rs and local cultural media. For 2027, wait for the Memorial Park’s autumn announcements; the series is expected to return in October as usual.