Young people from all over the world came to Novi Sad last week to share in the music and energy of the EXIT Festival. Now in its eighth year, the event has come a long way from its origins as a series of ad-hoc summertime concerts. Today it is a major international event, drawing well over 100,000 people with its mix of music, political activism and revelry.

The 2007 festival had barely ended before bloggers and forum members were at their keyboards, comparing this year's event to previous ones. EXIT 2007 was a "pale shadow of last year," complained Skyen at last.fm.

B92 blogger Gordanac also was less than impressed. Still, he writes, the event must be considered a success, and the organisers achieved the standards they sought.

Others pointed to great concerts by the Beastie Boys, Snoop Dogg and others. "Wu Tang was awesome," wrote Asthmaflow, a 22-year-old Serb.

Ivy Emancipated, posting from Croatia, considers this year's festival the best ever. EXIT was "too good and I will definitely be there next year". Another Croat, Miss Conception, says she lived the "four greatest days ever".

Bulgarian blogger Felixkotkov expressed similar sentiments. EXIT 2007 "was phenomenal", he wrote.

Generally, foreign bloggers -- especially Croatians -- had hardly a negative word to say about EXIT, whether discussing the music, food, accommodations or the overall experience. All the criticism seemed to come from within Serbia, with domestic bloggers arguing over whether the festival has stayed true to its original spirit.

At the electronic music portal Jacbri.com, Zen Master from Croatia says he has experienced something he'll remember "until the end of life". XXX, also from Croatia, praises the local hospitality. "Such kind and helpful people I haven't met for a long time. The food was so inexpensive, taxis too."

Dark Sign sums up the viewpoint shared by many. "At EXIT you can feel free and enjoy everything," he writes.