20 May 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković said on the occasion of the 13th anniversary of the restoration of Montenegro's independence that on 21 May 2006, 100-year-old historical injustice was corrected and that Montenegro was returned to the world's political map, and that Montenegro then turned to the future instead of the mythological past, as well as that all the events that followed confirmed the correctness of our strategic commitment to integrating Montenegro into the most advanced communities of the modern world: NATO and the European Union.

19 May 2019 - "Convinced that the values ​​of the Bokelj Navy, which is considered to be the oldest existing maritime organisation in the world, overcome national and regional borders, we have nominated this cultural heritage for the inscription on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity, as Montenegro's first nomination for the inscription on this prestigious list," Deputy Prime Minister Zoran Pažin noted while opening the exhibition "Bokelj Navy Kotor - 1210 years of history, spirituality and culture" in Cetinje.

He explained that this initiative was launched by the organisation itself, and that the nomination process was in deep agreement with the members of the organisation and was conducted in line with its basic principles that indicate that the Bokelj Navy can be accessed by any person accepting its Statute, regardless of their ethnic, religious, or any other identity, and that it is an organisation focused on respect for human rights and mutual respect for religious, national and cultural diversity.

The Deputy Prime Minister underlined that the members of the Bokelj Navy, their family history and traditions of the local community preserved this cultural heritage for the generations to come in spite of all the challenges the Bay of Kotor had faced throughout its history.

He recalled that for over twelve centuries the Bokelj Navy has managed to resist the strong influences that overwhelmed the area, stressing that the maritime tradition that permanently marked it was the true and fundamental value of the organisation itself.

DPM Pažin emphasised that the essential value of the Bokelj Navy is immaterial. "The value transcending all material traces, which is passed on from generation to generation and which is a key cultural value that recommended this organisation for the status of Montenegro's cultural property of national importance."

He concluded by saying that only by preserving local communities, supporting their identity and the initiatives that come from them, such values ​​can be preserved and passed on to future generations.

 Parenting Festival “The Family Fest”, which was held on Saturday in the park Krusevac, brought together more than ten thousand children and parents. The largest family event in the country was organized by the Parents Association and its social enterprise “Kreativa Lab”, in partnership with the Capital City and PG Sound. Like the previous two years, the Festival was opened with the biker’s parade of all generations, organized by the non-governmental organization Biciklo.me, followed by children soloists Luka Bajovic, Masa Paovic, Una Stankovic, Ivan Vojnic and Melani Mitrovic.

Danijela Knezevic from the association “Parents” said that the Family Festival was carried out perfectly and that we have all together enjoyed together in the park, in nature.

"The beautiful atmosphere was not disturbed even by the rain, which made us a little worried in the afternoon, but the visitors were with us at that time. This event confirms how much we want as a family - more entertainment, educational, sports and creative content in the open, where children and parents can participate together, without the technology and the equipment that steals our free moments together," Knezevic said in a statement.

This year's special guests of the Festival were HAOS animators from Novi Sad who were particularly delighted the audience at closing, featuring special LED suits.

Two mini concerts were held in the park, by the band “Red and Black” and Quartet Unique, and two theatrical performances, by Podgorica City Theater – “Ah, all that must be done by the poor child” and the NGO Training Center Taraba – “They wanted something completely different”. The pupils from the school Helen Doron Montenegro also performed the play “Tale of Two Tails”.

Psychotherapeutic counselor Darija Petovic Bambur talked with her parents about how to support a child's independent play, and Ana Ljuljdjurovic, the famous make-up illusionist in Montenegro, known to the public as “Cedoviste”, showed her skills.

This year the program segments in the park were organized according to thematic zones.

In the zone 'Hanging out in the Nature', the Scout Association of Montenegro organized a Scout Day, the company Zelenilo a workshop, kindergarten Bambino a sport class “In contact with the nature”, the Center for Bird Protection an educational workshop “Meet the Birds of Montenegro” and the Montenegrin Astronomical Society Podgorica an educational workshop “Astronomical observation”.

In the area Game and entertainment, the well-known animator for children Zarko Zabac played forgotten games with the children, NGO Brljok organized a workshop with table games, dance school Dream a workshop “Dance for everyone”, entertainers a party for entertainment, and the dance club Sonrisa presented their dance groups.

In the area 'Creative Educational Corner', the team from “Igrackoteka” and the Development Center of the Parents Association organized a program of workshops throughout the day, the Alfa Center a Traffic class “Safe step”, the NTC Centers of Montenegro a polygon program by NTC system, and the small programmers who participated in “Igramiranje” Education, organized by the association Parents, Zzi and Arhimed, presented their projects.

In the Artistic corner, visitors were welcomed with music and art workshops. Music school “Ton Ton” had music workshops in the morning and afternoon, Professor Masa Jovovic and students of the Faculty of Visual Arts held a large format Collage Art Workshop, and Ksenija Skerovic, an academic painter, with the students of the Faculty of Fine Arts, organized an art workshop “How Do I Paint Myself?”.

In the Culinary Corner area, a culinary workshop was organized with Zarko Zabac, for which the food was donated by the companies Skorpion and Bonella Agro group, and the Picnic was organized with HiPP juices.

The team from the Association of Students - Support Program for the Education of the Socially Disadvantaged Children of the Association Parents also participated, and with the help of volunteers from the Gymnasium "Slobodan Skerovic", they sold lemonade, water, and coffee.

The equipment and supplies were donated by Andjelić plast, Kopa, Bonella Agro group and Suza water. The money from the sales will be used to provide books, accessories and toys for the Classroom “Druzionica” and the children participating in that program.

The Sports Zone was attended by the Table tennis club Spin, the Volleyball section of "Pavle Rovinski", Yoga studio Podgorica, Podgorica Women's Handball Club, Dadex Sports Center, Infinity Sports Studio, Karate Club Iskra, Judo Club Kodokan, Sports Recreational Club PG Sport, and Aikido Club Buducnost.

At the end of the festival program, there was a cinema in the open. All generations had the opportunity to enjoy the screening of the film” Hedgehog’s house” thanks to the Montenegrin Film Center and with the support of the Croatian Audiovisual Center and the Production House Bonobo.

Participants of the Festival were also companies that offer family products and services on the domestic market as well as creative workshops dealing with the production of products for children and family. Therefore, presentations were held by the Kindergarten Bambino, Argeta, Helen Doron, Tosama, Party Time, Atelier Manufaktura, Sebamed, Leader Kids, Angie & Me, Pharmacy Angelica Osmi Red, BrainOBrain Mozgalica, Moje krpice, EXPO, Drni Design, Amicus Pharma, KidsLand, Glosarij, Srna , Meditas, Podravka, Imlek, Baby Atlas Kids Store, Suza Water, TAMU, Tegla'S, Mali Studio of Photography and Medikid.

In addition to their partners, the Organization of the Festival helped the Center for Contemporary Art of Montenegro, Metropolis, Zelenilo and Cistoca of the Capital City.

The Parenthood Festival celebrated the International Family Festival in Montenegro.

Text by MINA News, on May 19th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

Locals from the villages along the Bukovica river gathered this morning at the site of the Hydra MNE, which started preparatory works on the construction of the mini hydroelectric power plant "Bukovica 1" and "Bukovica 2" on that river.

They told “Vijesti” that there were indications that Hydra MNE would continue the works this morning.

In a telephone conversation, they said they would do anything to stop the works and save the river. The contractor tried a few days ago to continue works by breaking the road through a private estate, despite the fact that the lawyer of the property owner asked the court to impose a temporary ban. The locals stepped in front of the workers and prevented them from working, and the owner of the property filed a lawsuit. On Saturday, several hundred citizens protested in Donja Bukovica, requesting that the river is not to be put into a pipeline.

Text by Jelena Jovanovic, on May 20th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

With the music from the opera "The Blind Mouse" by Johan Straus, 220 graduate students from the high school "Ivan Goran Kovacic" danced the quadrille at the square "Nikola Djurkovic".

The graduates were dressed in yellow and green t-shirts, thus giving their contribution to the jubilee celebration - 50 years of Mimosa Festival. Ana Ercegovic led the graduate's dance.

So far, around 400,000 graduates from more than 100 European cities have participated in this event. All graduates dance the same choreography at the same time, and music is broadcasted over satellite radio. All together they are part of the project of dancing with the same goal in Europe, connecting and cooperating, as well as spreading togetherness, love and peace.

After dancing at the square, the graduates continued the celebration at Kanli Kula, and on Saturday, 25^th May, there will be the graduate’s parade through the city and the graduation party.

Graduates from Herceg Novi first danced the quadrille on May 16^th in 2008, and so far over 350,000 students from more than 100 European cities have participated in this event, and seven times they have succeeded in breaking the Guinness record.

"Herceg Novi sends a picture of youth, beauty and communion in the world," said the secretary of culture and education of the Municipality Herceg Novi, Ana Zambelic Pistalo, addressing graduates, professors, numerous gathered parents, relatives and friends.

"Herceg Novi has young people full of potential, and many of them today are united in the beauty of dance, and we are trying to support young, prospective citizens of Herceg Novi through various activities. To make Herceg Novi a city in line with the needs of the young people which offers quality and opportunities, this is our basic task and obligation," the secretary for culture said.

The general sponsor of the event is the Municipality Herceg Novi.

Text by Slavica Kosic, on May 17th 2019, read more at Vijesti

The Montenegrin society has to make efforts in the struggle for human rights that every citizen would be accepted as equal before law and society, regardless of sexual and gender differences, said the Center for Civic Education (CGO).

On the occasion of the International Day against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, they said that institutions also have a special responsibility.

As stated, LGBT people in Montenegro, despite the declarative ban on discrimination, still lack the necessary support to enable them to obtain their rights and live without fear of having discomfitures due to their different sexual orientation or gender identity.

"This year's International Day Against Homophobia focuses on justice and protection for everyone, and UNDP also emphasizes the support to the development of initiatives to end exclusion, discrimination and violence against LGBT people," the statement said.

It is stated that this is imperative and is more than ever necessary, and on that line are the efforts of the CGO, which are currently strengthened within the framework of the project "NO to discrimination, YES to differences".

The CGO research conducted in February this year indicates a positive shift that should be used to move the position of LGBT people in Montenegro from declarative tolerance to full acceptance and appreciation.

As reported, the fact that 81 percent of the respondents state that they would help a LGBT person in case of witnessing an act of violence against him is inciting in the process of fighting against discrimination and violence.

When it comes to the law on the life partner of the persons of the same sex, about which the deputies will vote soon, 55 percent of citizens have a positive attitude towards adopting that act.

It is reported that this is a significant change compared to less than a fifth, or 18 percent from 2016.

The CGO argued that this should also be a source of encouragement for those delegates who are still in the process of measuring of how much it would impact their polls rather than being leaders in the promotion of human rights culture. The CGO survey also indicated that just under a third of citizens would accept their child completely if they find that there is a different sexual orientation than heterosexual.

As stated, middle age is the most fertile factor for influencing attitudes on various issues, values, and principles, but also their ability to fight for their own and the rights of those who cannot.

"Throughout the 11 workshops we had the opportunity to get acquainted with the attitudes of young people who positively surprised us, but some of them are seriously anxious because traditions, prejudices and stereotypes continue to spread among young people in Montenegro," the statement said.

That is why, as they say, it is necessary to continue the struggle for LGBTI rights, on the social scene and in the Assembly, and to adopt good legal solutions that will create the legal premise for the equal living of LGBT people in Montenegro.

"The CGC today celebrates the diversity that is treasured in every society, celebrating lesbians, homosexuals, trans, nonbinary, intersexual and queer people, activists and LGBT rights organizations, who with their own example stand against any form of discrimination in Montenegro," concludes the statement.

Text by MINA News, on May 17th 2019, read more at Vijesti

The Norwegian National Day was celebrated at the Institute "Dr Simo Milosevic" in Igalo, where 150 patients from this Scandinavian country are on vacation and treatment. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Norway is celebrated since May 17^th, 1814, when the Norwegian Constitution was voted after gaining independence.

First, the Norwegian guests walked through Igalo in a parade, then the local music Djenovici with majorettes, kids from the Children’s Home "Mladost", members of KUD "Ilija Kisic", as well as many friends of the Norwegian people from Herceg Novi and Igalo. In front of the Institute’s National Restaurant, a program that began with the sounds of the national anthems of Montenegro and Norway took place.

On behalf of the local government, the holiday to the guests from Norway was congratulated by the Deputy Prime Minister of the Municipality Danijela Djurovic.

"On the map of our friends, Norway has had a special place for years. The reason for this is the brotherhood with the city Levanger, which lasts more than five decades and the Norwegian program at the Institute "Dr Simo Milosevic", thanks to which thousands of guests from Norway have visited our town for more than 40 years.

"Connecting our states has begun as a networking of cities and business cooperation, to link the relationship with the people and in years it became the foundation for the exchange of cultures, experiences, improvement of local community life, the close relationship between people and families. Citizens of Herceg Novi will never forget the assistance they received from Norway after a catastrophic earthquake exactly 40 years ago, as well as all of the support projects that followed, primarily in the field of municipal equipping and education," said Djurovic and emphasized that they will continue to work on strengthening the link between the two states.

This year, the Institute celebrates 70 years of existence and 42 years of cooperation and programs we have with your state. This jubilee is proof that our joint program, with the expertise and professionalism of the staff in the Institute in Igalo, faces all the challenges. We wish that during your stay in Igalo and Montenegro you will feel the hospitality and the warmth of our people. Although we have been experiencing you as our fellow citizens for a long time, we have organized the program to at least celebrate the atmosphere of the holiday season in your country," said the director of the Medical sector in the Institute in Igalo.

"The Constitution Day is very important to us Norwegians - as well as to all who understand the significance of their own freedom and their constitution. We are grateful for everything it has been done in Eidsvold, and we are happy to enjoy the fruits of their work - that our society could, and still can, develop better for the people who live in it. We are very happy that our friends here in Igalo make our holiday so beautiful for us as we are away from home - thank you for that!" said the chief nurse in the Norwegian program Inger Hansen.

Text by Slavica Kosic, on May 17th 2019, read more at Vijesti

May 18, 2019 - Within the program of marking the Independence Day of Montenegro, in the 1210th Anniversary of the Boka Navy Kotor, the most representative exhibition on the oldest organization of seafarers in the world was opened in Cetinje.

Deputy Prime Minister, Zoran Pazin, Copyright: Government of Montenegro/ S. Matic

Boka Navy Admiral, Dr Antun Sbutega, Copyright: Government of montenegro/ S. Matic

Andro Radulovic, the director of the Maritime Museum of Montenegro Kotor, Copyright: Government of Montenegro/ S. Matic

Navy's Performance in Cetinje, Copyright: Government of Montenegro/ S. Matic

Socially responsible business is the way of doing business at CentreVille Hotel & Experiences, a hotel that was declared as the best in the Capital city by the Tourist Organization Podgorica.

"In addition to experienced colleagues in the field of hospitality developing their career path at the Hotel CenterVille, we provide the young people who represent the future of this industry in Montenegro since the establishment of the hotel a chance to learn and make progress," said Jelena Ognjenovic, General Manager of the Hotel CenterVille.

The CenterVille Hotel & Experiences participates every year in the Government's vocational training program for graduate students. The smile on the faces of both guests and employees is one of their priorities.

"A friendly, however, professional approach is what distinguishes our business. From the beginning of hotel operations to the present day, a great number of young people have been trained through our hotel facility. In addition to performing their primary duties, all hotel sector managers are continually taking some part of their time on a daily basis to help young colleagues in their work, and through concrete examples of practice they have made it easier for them to start their career, present their work as attractive as possible and have them trained so they could work in any hotel in the world, given that CentreVille operates in accordance with international, corporate standards," said Slavica Stojkovic, Human Resources Manager at Hotel CenterVille.

In addition to the professional training program, the praxis at the hotel CenterVille is also carried out by pupils from the secondary school "Sergije Stanic", the secondary vocational school "Spasoje Raspopovic" from Podgorica and the students from the Faculty of Tourism of the University Mediteran, and so on.

"Thirty high school pupils will finish their practice at our hotel in the dual education system this year and through regular practice. Out of them, ten service technicians, thirteen chefs, six pastries, and one baker. We are very much concerned with the quality of the time they spend with us, with the highlight on the skills they acquire," added Stojkovic.

Slobodan Lukovac, a student who has been carrying out the praxis at CenterVille Hotel & Experiences for two years, was the absolute winner in the discipline bar and bar business at the 12^th National contest of Catering Schools in Montenegro, held on 23^rd and 24^th April in Budva.

"The competition was very strong, and I scored the best placement among 22 contestants. I had the highest, maximum number of points. I have perfected my abilities that I have shown in the competition, I developed in “The Living Room”, the lounge bar at the CenterVille, where I improve my skills daily, together with my colleagues and mentors," said Slobodan Lukovac, a student attending praxis at the CenterVille hotel.

Help in the education and training of young hospitality staff is something that the hotel welcomes with joy, and something that they are particularly working hard on.

"Since we are a country with a highly developed hospitality industry, it is clear to me that this kind of staff is very much needed. In this connection, it is our pleasure to give some contribution to the creation of hotel staff through competent types of mentoring, who will be competent, skillful and representative. Whether these young people are coming to work with us or in another Montenegrin hotel - we will do our utmost to make them complete tourist workers after graduation," concluded Ognjenovic.

As a credible employer, CentreVille Hotel & Experiences is a trusted partner to all educational institutions in the field of tourism and therefore invites all responsible to a co-operation to achieve a common goal - creating quality, domestic staff - to the satisfaction of employees and employers. For the second year in a row, the school for medium and high-level education "Sergije Stanic" cooperates with the Hotel CenterVille when it comes to the practical teaching of dual education students.

"The students from the “cooking” section had only praise for the head of the kitchen, Mr. Sasa Popovic, while the students from the restaurant/service technician learned all their knowledge in practice from Mr. Dragan Grnovic and Stojan Karadzic, who were their instructors during the school year. This kind of cooperation with an eminent hotel such as the CenterVille means a lot to our students because they have the opportunity to see and learn something that they cannot master in school, but only in practice among a large number of people and at a higher level of work when the practice is concerned. Therefore, we thank the hotel on behalf of the school and we hope for the same successful cooperation in the future," said Marija Grujucic, Coordinator of practical teaching at the secondary school “Sergije Stanic”.

At the moment, the CenterVille Hotel & Experiences, 38 students and graduates gain their first working experience through various programs of practice and work training. The CenterVille Hotel & Experiences currently employs 87 workers, which fully represent the Montenegrin workforce, which the hotel is particularly proud of.

Text by Promo sadrzaj, on May 16th, 2019, read more at Vijesti

The seventh Montenegro pride will be held on the 21^st of September in Podgorica, calling for the unification of people in a common struggle for equality, justice and freedom, the representatives of the Organizing Committee said, stating that LGBTIQ people should be recognized and respected.

A representative of the Organizing Committee of Montenegro in 2019, Hana Konatar, at a press conference, said that Montenegro would, in its history, proudly record the seventh Montenegrin pride on Saturday, September 21^st.

"I wish to greet you all on behalf of the Organizing Committee, which this year brought together a large number of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, gender variants and people who are traditionally proud, together with our male and female friends, members of our families in the preparations of the 7th Parade of Pride," Konatar said in the PR Center. This year, as she said, more than forty people took an active part in the Organizing Committee.

"We have been preparing a rich program since March, which we will be organized during June, the month of the proud for LGBTIQ people, as well as the eve of the pride itself, during the Week of Pride in September," Konatar said.

A representative of the Organizing Committee of Montenegro in 2019, Nikola Ilic, said that on May 17^th, the International Day of Combating Homophobia and Transphobia, "which is" of special importance to us because it is the day we celebrate our struggle against social oppression over LGBTIQ people".

Ilic said that the month of the struggle against homophobia and transphobia was marked by various activities and events, such as the playwrights, art workshops, film evenings, and community empowerment workshops.

These activities will continue until the end of the month, but also during the international month of pride in June, so we invite all those interested to visit, and information on events can be found on the social networks of the organization Queer of Montenegro, NGO’s SPEKTRA and Juventas", said is Ilic. This year, as he adds, the Organizing Committee prepares various events on the eve of the Week of Pride, and, as he adds, a large number of workshops, film projections, performances, exhibitions, social gatherings, and parties are planned.

"We try to make the activities suitable for all, younger and older, for all male and female members of the LGBTIQ community, for their families and friends, for our partners, co-workers and colleagues. This year's news is that we will walk for every town, realizing numerous events outside Podgorica. It is about six cities and we are waiting for the days painted with rainbow colors, and everything will be crowned with the biggest Montenegrin pride so far," Ilic said.

He announced that a big Queer party would be organized in the garden of the Ethno jazz Club Sejdefa tonight at 11 p.m.

A representative of the Organizing Committee of Montenegro pride in 2019, Marija Jovanovic, said that fifty years after the organization of the first pride in the world, in Montenegro will be organized the seventh Montenegro pride. "Like the previous years, this year, we will be able to communicate the universal values ​​that we stand for. Human rights LGBTIQ people must be recognized and respected in a democratic society, as ours aspires to be," Jovanović said.

This year, Pride calls on the unification of people in a common struggle for equality, justice, and freedom as she said.

"We are gathering a community that, alongside all the obstacles it faces, courageously and decisively is holding together in the struggle for equal status in society, for the right to partnership relations, which are not yet recognized by law, the right to free movement, the right to security, happiness," Jovanovic said.

She said that Montenegrin deputies have a task to support the Law on the Life Partnership of the same gender, by which they will, as it seems, show a willingness to fulfill their human and moral obligation to protect the rights of all citizens.

"In this case, they are the basic human rights of LGBTIQ people. It is for all of us to show that support is the family value that lies in the root of our culture and that it must be present in every struggle for social equality," Jovanovic said.

The representative of the Organizing Committee of Montenegro 2019, Marica Vlahovic, 2019, said that despite the slight improvement in the situation compared to previous years, members of the LGBTIQ community are still exposed to discrimination, hate speech and violence.

"We strive to fight against violence, and our efforts in this period are geared towards an adequate prosecution of hate crimes. We are proud of the fact that we have managed to build strong support services, such as providing free legal aid and counseling to people who experienced violence motivated by homophobia and/or transphobia," Vlahovic said.

For the LGBTIQ community at the moment is, as she said, the most important issue is the adoption of the Law on the Life Partnership of the same gender.

"The voting is still pending, and we believe that the representatives of the people in the Montenegrin Parliament will recognize the importance of this law. It covers and regulates the rights and obligations of same-sex partners in terms of material maintenance, joint immunity, inheritance and health care system," Vlahovic said.

The campaign ahead of this year's pride will, among other things, focuses on the united communities and the influence of the Law on the everyday life of all persons who live or want to establish a same-sex community.

"If the law is not adopted at this session of the Assembly, it will seriously jeopardize the democratic values ​​on which our society is founded. In that case, we will show that we do not like it and continue to be stronger and tougher for the respect of our human rights," Vlahovic said.

Text by Vijesti online, on May 17th, 2019, read more at Vijesti