According to Breitbart News, following the assassination of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk in late 2025, street artists in Belgrade, Serbia, have created at least three murals commemorating the conservative activist. The tributes, which blend American conservative iconography with Serbian cultural elements—including a depiction of Kirk in an Illinois White Eagles baskettball uniform with the nickname "Ševa Kurković"—have been repeatedly defaced by leftist activists, prompting a cycle of destruction and restoration. The latest mural, completed by artists Dusan Curich and Dario Radich of BalkanWatch.com, was finished shortly before Breitbart visited the city.

The third mural in Belgrade's defacement cycle

The most recent mural, painted on a highway overpass, is the third such tribute to appear in the Serbian capital. Breitbart reported that the original mural, which featured the text "Charlie Kirkovich, 1993-2005 RIP," was defaced shortly after its creation. A second mural suffered the same fate. The artists, Dusan Curich and Dario Radich, told Breitbart that their motivation is to counter leftist destruction and continue promoting Kirk's principles of open discourse. Serbian officials provided documentation of the defacements and supported the new mural, framing the project as a symbol of U.S.-Serbia conservative solidarity.

Why a Chicago-born activist became an 'honorary Serb'

Kirk's connection to Serbia stems from his childhood in the Chicago suburbs, where he played basketball on a team with many Serbian-American players. According to the report, Kirk adopted the nickname Ševa Kurković and would sing Serbian songs after matches . This personal link, combined with his advocacy for patriotism, Christianity,and free speech, has made him an "honorary Serb" in the eyes of local conservatives. Artists and officials alike emphasize that Kirk's values resonate deeply with Serbian conservatives, especially amid ongoing leftist protests in Belgrade. The murals are therefore not merely tributes to a slain activist but also a local political statement.

Serbian officials' role in the mural saga

Serbian government officials have played an active role in the mural cycle, as reported by Breitbart. They provided documentation of the defacements and publicly supported the new tribute. This backing places the murals firmly within the context of Serbia's internal political struggles, where conservative and nationalist factions often clash with leftist and pro-European Union protesters. By endorsing the Kirk murals, Serbian officials are signaling alignment with American conservatives and leveraging the symbbol to push back against domestic opposition. The artists, Dusan Curich and Dario Radich, explicitly said their work is a stand against leftist destruction.

What the defacement reveals about local political divisions

The repeated defacement of the murals underscores the intensity of political polarization in Belgrade. Leftist activists, according to the Breitbart report, have targeted each mural almost immediately after its completion. the artists and officials interpret these acts as an attack on conservative values and free speeech . However, the source does not include comment from the defacers or leftist groups, leaving their motives unstated. This silence raises an open question: Are the defacements a reaction to Kirk specifically, or to the broader conservative symbolism the murals represent? Without input from the other side, the full picture remains incomplete.

Another unanswered question is whether the mural cycle will continue. With two defacements and three murals already, the pattern suggests a stalemate. The report does not indicate any deterrent measures or legal actions against the vandals, leaving the future of these tributes uncertain. Additionally, it is unclear how much broader Serbian public support exists for honoring an American political figure, as the source focuses only on the conservative narrative.