An Exhibition Honoring the Life and Legacy of EKV's Margita Magi Stefanović
Exploring the Life and Legacy of EKV's Iconic Keyboardist
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Kad krenem ka,
da idem na
Ja pitam za,
da se vidim sa
Pa čekam da u,
i mislim da je
Kažu da ne prepoznaju me
(When I start to go,
to head towards
I ask about,
to meet up with
Then I wait for, and I think it is
They say they don't recognize me)
These are the lyrics of a song by a band named Katarina II, whose debut was released 40 years ago. The opening lyrics were used to name an exhibition titled “Magi – Kad Krenem Ka.” Eventually, the band changed its name and became Ekatarina Velika, or EKV, one of the cult rock bands of the '80s in the burgeoning Yugoslavian scene.
The exhibition “Magi – Kad Krenem Ka” pays tribute to one of the early heroines of the former YU rock scene, keyboardist Margita Magi Stefanović. This spectacular exhibition also commemorates the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Belgrade Youth Center. The exhibition’s curators, renowned journalists, organizers, and producers, Zorica Kojić and Dragan Ambrozić, have carefully selected 113 photographs by several renowned photographers and musicians: Goranka Matić, Srđan Vejvoda, Goran Vejvoda, and Aleksandar Kujučev.
Kojic and Ambrozic have previously organized various exhibitions at this location, the plateau in front of the Art Pavilion "Cvijeta Zuzorić" at Kalemegdan Fortress in Belgrade, such as the ones commemorating the Novi Talas u Beogradu: Paket Aranzman and Koja: Disciplina Kichme.
From candid snapshots of her early days as a student of architecture to electrifying performances with Katarina II (later known as Ekatarina Velika), every photograph speaks volumes about Margita's journey. Her magnetic presence on stage, her infectious laughter backstage, and the quiet moments of reflection—each image captures a different facet of her multifaceted personality.
The Ekatarina Velika band marked a brilliant decade from 1984 to 1994 with their exceptional work, leaving an indelible mark on the Yugoslav music scene. Their legacy is still present in contemporary music today.
But beyond the music and the fame, it was Margita's pioneering spirit that left the deepest impression. As the first woman to carve out a permanent place in the male-dominated world of Yugoslav rock, she shattered stereotypes and blazed a trail for future generations of female musicians. Her legacy as a trailblazer and a visionary resonates even today, inspiring countless artists to follow their dreams and defy convention.
Eventually, her life was cut short at the age of 43 in 2002 due to an unhealthy lifestyle and AIDS. This exhibition is an opportunity to remember and pay tribute to one of the first and greatest heroines of the modern rock scene – Margita Magi Stefanović. Through her life and musical career, her artistic imprint and influence on modern culture remain indelible.
She was very striking-looking.