Dear colleagues, professors, parents, students, and fans of the art of classical guitar!

It is our great pleasure to announce the upcoming 20th VOJVODINA GUITAR FEST, which will take place from April 6-9, 2026, in Novi Sad.
The coming year marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Jovan Jovičić, the most significant guitarist from this region, and part of the festival program will be dedicated to celebrating this important jubilee.
At the same time, the Guitarists Association of Vojvodina, the umbrella organization for classical guitar, will celebrate its 20th anniversary. This occasion will be marked by a retrospective of the organization’s development and its influence on establishing Novi Sad as a regional center for classical guitar.
The festival’s organizing team has also carefully considered all your suggestions regarding the competition segment. As a result, the International Competition “Dr. Jovan Jovičić” will introduce numerous innovations and improvements at several levels—some of which will be implemented for the first time in guitar competitions in our country, and even beyond.
In addition to the competition, you can look forward to concerts, masterclasses, presentations of new publications, exhibitions of guitar makers, and inspiring gatherings with renowned musicians.
More information will soon be available on the AGV website and social media channels.

Join us in celebrating these milestones — welcome to the 20th VOJVODINA GUITAR FEST!

PROGRAMME

Monday, April 6

SKCNS
^{Student Cultural Center Novi Sad
⚐ (Vladimira Perića Valtera 5)}
10:00–18:00 Registration and participant check-in (registration fee payment) / Expo Altamira Day

NSDKC
^{Novi Sad Children’s Cultural Center
⚐ (Radnička 20)}
10:00–18:00 / Masterclasses

KS EĐŠEG
^{⚐ (Antona Čehova 4)}
20:00 / Concert – Marko Erdevički, guitar

Tuesday, April 7

SKCNS
^{Student Cultural Center Novi Sad
⚐ (Vladimira Perića Valtera 5)}
08:00–18:00 / International Competition “Dr. Jovan Jovičić”

NSDKC
^{Novi Sad Children’s Cultural Center
⚐ (Radnička 20)}
08:00–18:00 / International Competition “Dr. Jovan Jovičić”

KS EĐŠEG
^{⚐ (Antona Čehova 4)}
19:00 / Award Ceremony and Winners’ Concert
20:00 / Concert – Humans Duo (Elizaveta Medvedeva, Nikolay Larin)

Wednesday, April 8

SKCNS
^{Student Cultural Center Novi Sad
⚐ (Vladimira Perića Valtera 5)}
08:00–18:00 / International Competition “Dr. Jovan Jovičić”

NSDKC
^{Novi Sad Children’s Cultural Center
⚐ (Radnička 20)}
08:00–18:00 / International Competition “Dr. Jovan Jovičić”

KS EĐŠEG
^{⚐ (Antona Čehova 4)}
19:00 / Award Ceremony and Winners’ Concert
20:00 / Concert – Croatian Guitar Duo (Melita Ivković, Edin Karamazov)

Thursday, April 9

NSDKC
^{Novi Sad Children’s Cultural Center
⚐ (Radnička 20)}
08:00–18:00 / Masterclasses

KS EĐŠEG
^{⚐ (Antona Čehova 4)}
19:00 / CD Promotion “Reverie” (Slobodan Milivojević, Vuk Dragičević)
20:00 / Concert – SonArs Trio (Sunčica Trkulja Šušnjar, Igor Motl, Dragan Marinković)

Lecturers / jury / concerts:

EDIN KARAMAZOV
MELITA IVKOVIĆ 
Hrvatski gitarski duo
SANEL REDŽIĆ
ZORAN KRAJIŠNIK
MILOŠ JANJIĆ
SLOBODAN MILIVOJEVIĆ
PETAR POPOVIĆ
MARKO ERDEVIČKI
MARKO SARIĆ
VUK DRAGIČEVIĆ
EMA KAPOR
BELMIN OKANOVIĆ
LJUBICA BUKVIĆ
STEVAN JOVIĆ
IGOR MOTL
SUNČICA TRKULJA ŠUŠNJAR
DRAGAN MARINKOVIĆ
SonArs Trio
ELIZAVETA MEDVEDEVA 
NIKOLAY LARIN
HUMANS Guitar Duo

COMPETITION RULES – “DR JOVAN JOVIČIĆ” 2026

1. The competition is open to the public and is held live in accordance with the COMPETITION RULES.

2. Competition categories:

First Category – born in 2015 or later
Two or more compositions of different styles and character, with a total duration of up to 5 minutes.

Second Category – born in 2013 or later
Two or more compositions of different styles and character, with a total duration of up to 8 minutes.

Third Category – born in 2011 or later
Two or more compositions of different styles and character, with a total duration of up to 10 minutes.

Fourth Category – born in 2009 or later
Two or more compositions of different styles and character, with a total duration of up to 12 minutes.

Fifth Category – born in 2007 or later
Two or more compositions of different styles and character, with a total duration of up to 15 minutes.

No age limit – professional category
Two or more compositions of different styles and character, with a total duration of up to 20 minutes.

Amateur Category – for participants who do not attend a regular music school
Two or more compositions of different styles and character, with a total duration of up to 7 minutes.

3. The application form is completed online HERE. (competition & masterclasses)
   
   Massterclasses only (without compettion) application is HERE
   
4. The deadline for submitting applications is Sunday, March 15, 2026, by 8:00 PM.
   
5. Donation amount

– for participation in the International Competition “Dr. Jovan Jovičić”:

• Category I – 4,000 RSD / €35
• Category II – 4,500 RSD / €40
• Category III – 5,500 RSD / €45
• Category IV – 6,000 RSD / €50
• Category V – 6,500 RSD / €55
• Category VI (No age limit) – 10,000 RSD / €85
• Amateur category – 3,500 RSD / €30

– for seminars:

• 3,000 RSD / 25€ for a 40-minute lesson
• 3,600 RSD / 30€ for a 40-minute lesson with Z. Krajišnik

6. The donation is paid in two installments:

First installment (reservation):
The amount is 1,000 RSD per candidate and is paid to the following bank account:

Account number: 160-929755-46, Banca Intesa
Purpose of payment: Donation for the Festival
Recipient: Association of Guitarists of Vojvodina, Novi Sad

Proof of payment of the first installment does not need to be submitted.

Payment of the reservation fee is mandatory even for candidates applying exclusively for seminars.

Second installment:
The remaining amount of the donation is paid in cash before the start of the competition.

NOTICE: Participants from outside Serbia can pay full amount (without the reservation) at check-in in Novi Sad

7. By submitting the application, competitors accept the Festival terms and the Competition Rules.
8. By registering for the competition, each participant agrees that the organizer may use the competitor’s personal data for promotional purposes on the official website and on social media.
9. Jury decisions are final and irrevocable.
10. In case of cancellation by the candidate, the donation is non-refundable.

• The company Altamira awards a “Ganadora” guitar valued at €3,000 to the winner of the No age limit category.
• Altamira also provides prize packages for the most successful competitors.
• Merchandise prizes are provided by „Savarez„.
• Material prizes are provided by SMS Music, Novi Sad.
• GEWA Music (Hannabach) is giving away merchandise prizes. 
• The company Strings By Mail provides shopping vouchers with a total value of $350.
• Guitar Salon Belgrade provides 2 hours and 1 hour of professional studio audio-video recording.
• The Art of Classical Guitar provides an online masterclass.
• Special Prize: A solo concert organized by Belgrade Guitar District.

12. This year as well, AGV awards the prize for the most successful teacher at the competition, entitled “ANNA-MARGARETHE VUČAK”.
    The monetary value of the prize is 30,000 RSD.
    The sponsor of the prize is Elvira Veselinović.
    Rules for awarding the “Anna-Margarethe Vučak” prize
    
13. As part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the most important Serbian guitarist, Dr. Jovan Jovičić (1926–2013), at the 2026 competition AGV awards a Special Prize for the best performance of a composition by Jovan Jovičić.
    The prize, in the amount of €300, is provided and awarded by his daughter, Prof. Dr. Dubravka Jovičić.
    
14. All information regarding seminars and the competition schedule will be published in due time on our website, Viber community, and social media.

Notes:

– The organizer reserves the right to make changes.
– The schedule of all activities will be published on the website: http://www.agv.org.rs
– The Festival is held with the support of the City of Novi Sad Department of Culture and the Provincial Secretariat for Culture.

SPECIAL INVITATION FOR COMPETITORS

As part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the most prominent Serbian guitarist, Dr. Jovan Jovičić (1926–2013), a Special Award for the Best Performance of a Composition by Jovan Jovičić has been established for the 2026 competition.

The winner in this category will receive the award as the performer who demonstrates exceptional artistic quality and depth of interpretation when performing a composition by Jovan Jovičić.
The prize, in the amount of 300 euros, is provided and awarded by Jovan Jovičić’s daughter, Prof. Dr. Dubravka Jovičić.

The selected composition by Jovan Jovičić is not included in the official time limit of the competition program; instead, the candidate performs the piece as an addition to their regular program. For evaluating the quality of performances of Jovičić’s works, the jury will apply the same criteria as for the rest of the competition, in accordance with the Competition Rulebook.
Eligible participants are candidates born in 2010 or earlier.

List of published editions containing compositions by Jovan Jovičić:

– Dr. Jovan Jovičić: Kompozicije na folklorne teme I, Radnički univerzitet u Knjaževcu, Knjaževac, 1969

– Dr. Jovan Jovičić: Kompozicije na folklorne teme II, III i IV, Izdavačka organizacija Nota, Knjaževac, 1970

– Dr. Jovan Jovičić: Škola za gitaru 3, Muzičko izdavačka „Nota“, Knjaževac, 1973

– Dr. Jovan Jovičić: Kompozicije na folklorne teme za solo gitaru, Album V, Izdavačka organizacija „Nota“, Knjaževac, 1991

– Dr. Jovan Jovičić: Kompozicije na folklorne teme za solo gitaru, Album VI, Muzičko izdavačka organizacija „Nota“, Knjaževac, 2005

– Dr. Jovan Jovičić: Kompozicije na folklorne teme Balkana i Španije za klasičnu gitaru, Zajednica muzičkih i baletskih škola Srbije, Belgrade, 2005

The Guitarists Association of Vojvodina invites all teachers and students to apply for this part of the competition and thus participate in marking this significant anniversary!