“The collapse of dirty money’s reign”

Novi Sad, SERBIA. May 2025.

At the corner of Primorska 3 in Novi Sad, where vendors at an informal NAJLON PIJACA flea market lay out used clothes and household items on the pavement, a new mural has appeared. It shows a burning crown, painted directly onto a low wall beside the rag-tag but prim market. The work is by French-German artist MTO, known for his precise technique and sharp social commentary.

The mural follows a national tragedy. On November 1, 2024, at 11:52 a.m., the concrete canopy of Novi Sad’s central railway station collapsed, killing 16 people. The incident was widely seen as a consequence of poor oversight and alleged corruption, particularly involving foreign construction firms. In response, students organized protests that quickly grew into a national movement. Their actions included campus shutdowns, an 80-kilometer march from Belgrade to Novi Sad, a bicycle ride to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, and daily 15-minute silences at the time of the collapse.

MTO’s mural, though unsanctioned, has become part of the response. “The painting of the crown on fire,” he writes, “is not a portrait of grief, but a declaration—that the monarchy of impunity must burn.” The crown isn’t aimed at royalty, but at what the artist sees as unchecked power. The mural now sits among other public expressions of remembrance, including flowers and candles at the station.

MTO, originally from France and based in Berlin, is known for its large-scale grayscale portraits, which often incorporate symbolic elements. His work has appeared in cities such as Lisbon, Berlin, Miami, and Sarajevo, usually featuring political and social critique. The mural in Novi Sad continues that approach. It also connects to broader public sentiment: in the U.S., the recent “No Kings” marches have voiced similar calls for accountability and limits on concentrated power. In both cases, public space becomes a site for protest and reflection.

From MTO; “Big up to ROSH and many thanks to Bibi for her amazing help.”

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