It is not easy to capture half a century of concerts, workshops, volunteers, friendships, and music in a single sentence. Yet that is precisely what the City Assembly of Zagreb did on 23rd of April 2026 by awarding KSET the City of Zagreb Award. "Throughout its half-century of activity, KSET has made a significant contribution to the formation of independent culture in Zagreb and to establishing Zagreb as a European metropolis of independent culture", stands in the explanation of the reward.

This award is granted to citizens, associations, and institutions for outstanding achievements in promoting culture, science, art, and all areas of social life in Zagreb. The fact that it was granted to KSET this year is no surprise, but it is certainly a recognition we have long known to be well deserved.

This recognition comes in a year when KSET celebrates 50 years of activity in its home, the former boiler room of FER, as well as more than half a century of existence as one of the most recognizable student and cultural communities in Zagreb. From 1976 to the present day, KSET has grown from a student club into a place that has shaped generations, influenced the city’s cultural scene, and left a profound mark on the lives of countless students, volunteers, artists, and friends of the club.

In its official decision explanation, the City Assembly emphasized that KSET has made a significant contribution to the development of independent culture in Zagreb and to establishing the city as a European capital of independent culture. It is precisely this recognition, perseverance, and the dedication of the community that KSET has built from generation to generation that makes this award especially meaningful.

From Ritam 87 and Elektrijada, through Brucošijada FER and ZEZ, to the KSET Concert Program and the KSET Open Air Festival, the explanation states that KSET has for decades been a laboratory where ideas, careers, and friendships were born. Thanks to its sections and workshops in programming, photography, graphic design, and crafts, generations of students have gained skills they carried far beyond the walls of the ex-boiler room.

For KSET, this award is not only a confirmation of the work done so far, but also great encouragement for everything that is yet to come. It belongs to all the generations that have created, maintained, and developed KSET, as well as to everyone who has recognized in its story a space of freedom, creativity, and belonging.

Thank you to the City of Zagreb for this recognition. Thank you to all the volunteers, visitors, partners and friends of KSET who have written this story with us and who continue to write it today. Because KSET is not a space, KSET is a community. KSET is an experience. And now Zagreb officially knows it too.

In the year when KSET celebrates its 50th anniversary, the KSET50 programme, in collaboration with other concert venues across Zagreb, recreates landmark events and brings back the artists who helped build the reputation of this ex-boiler room, all with the aim of collectively imagining the next half-century.

Find out more about the KSET50 programme at the link.