Myrtill Micheller, the best Hungarian female vocalist, performed last night in Porto Montenegro with her band "Swinguistique".   

"Our biggest goal is to bring the cultural values ​​of Hungary and Hungarian artists closer to the citizens of Montenegro, because we are convinced that our two countries' bilateral relations do not consist of political and economic cooperation only, which is usually mentioned”, said Hungarian Ambassador to Montenegro József Négyesi, welcoming guests to concert.

The event was staged at pier 1 as part of the Hungarian Culture Week in Montenegro, sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organized by the Hungarian Embassy in Podgorica, and also included in the program of the 18th Don Branko Days of KotorArt Music.

 “We should emphasize developing relationships in other areas, among which culture is certainly in a prominent place. The "Hungarian Culture Week" will run until the end of September. Within 24 different programs in many Montenegrin cities, Hungarian musicians, dancers and many other artists will be presented,” said the ambassador. He thanked the Montenegrin partners, the city of Tivat, the KotorArt Festival and Porto Montenegro, emphasizing that without their support it would not be possible to organize the programs.

Speaking about Myrtill Micheller, the ambassador pointed out: “Despite the French pronunciation of her name, Myrtill does not come from a French family. However, her band brings to life the atmosphere of France from the last century with her songs in French and English, including the chansons by Edit Pjaf in a cheerful gypsy swing manner. Their first album of 2012 was awarded a gold record and they have since performed in front of full halls in Budapest and throughout Hungary. ”

Myrtill Micheller is a graduate of jazz singing at the Franc List Music Academy in Budapest. It gained public attention after the release of the music for the movie The Dreamcar, for which the soundtrack was hired as a singer. She made her debut album I Just Found Out About Love in 2004, with jazz standards. Today she is one of the most engaged Hungarian vocalists and has sung on more than 40 albums. She presented her latest project Swinquistique in 2013, with selected songs in French and English, arranged in jazz and swing-jazz style.

"This is dance music, dance with us," said Myrtill, addressing the audience and introducing the band members. The audience enjoyed French chansons and Hungarian and other popular songs, with some of the visitors singing and dancing with the performers in the lovely July night.

July 31, 2019 - Explore Lustica Bay with The Chedi, a new promo video highlighting the natural beauty and activities to be enjoyed on this spectacular peninsula.

I have travelled a LOT around the Balkan region in the last 12 months. From southern Albanian to northern Slovenia, the lovely 'short' cut from Split to Belgrade via Bosnia, as well as all over Montenegro and Croatia. Some days are more exhausting on the road than others, but as I get older and grumpier having dealt with people online and face to face, there are two things I particularly treasure when I come to relax in the evening. 

Peace and space. 

These are two things that many travellers look for on holiday, and yet they are not that easy to find together in one place, particularly if you are looking to stay somewhere with excellent service. My favourite find in Croatia is Falkensteiner Punta Skala, just north of Zadar, whose spacious 15-hectare resort is easy to get lost in nature. But after a long day on the road or in meetings, nothing quite beats - for me at least - passing through the barrier at Lustica Bay and heading down to the first phase of the largest investment in the history of Montenegro. I have never stayed at The Chedi, the luxury 5-star hotel there, but I have been fortunate to have stayed a couple of times in one of the apartments close by. 

The peninsula is a natural paradise, and once completed, the 700-hectare Lustica Bay complex of 7 hotels, 2 marinas, 18-hole golf course and village of 2,500 people will arguably the best such development in the entire region, preserving those two precious things this grumpy correspondent seeks - peace and space. 

But that is not to say that there is nothing to do once you arrive. Far from it. In fact, I had no idea just how much there was to do until I saw the new promo video from The Chedi - Explore Lustica Bay with The Chedi. 

Sailing, jetski, hiking, biking, scuba diving, snorkelling, chilling, quad biking, stand up paddleboarding to no less than 13 caves. Seven fortresses to discover and some 20 churches, with authentic Montenegrin dining options in traditional restaurants, before heading home for more relaxation at The Chedi. Gorgeous video, check it out below.

Learn more about Lustica Bay and The Chedi on the official hotel website.

Delta City Shopping Center will start charging parking tomorrow, 40 cents per hour.

Delta City Manager Dragan Perisic said that the works on the access ramps have been completed as planned.

Protective posts and curbs have been installed, as well as islands with toll ramps. Self-charging stations are set up at the property at all checkpoints/exits which will ensure easy operation and movement of vehicles through the parking space. Shopping mall parking charges practices are commonplace, not only in the region but in all European destinations.

Prices for both employees and visitors are based on operating costs. The decision to charge parking is not motivated by profit, but solely by the desire to provide sufficient parking space for our visitors. Our goal is to provide enough parking for the maintenance of this system, which is demanding by itself,” Perisic said.

A letter recently sent by Delta management to employees says employees at the mall's stores will be able to purchase a monthly parking ticket for a price of 30 euros but will need to attach a certificate of employment beforehand.

Delta City Shopping Center has a total of about 1,200 employees, and only on weekends, it is visited by 18,000 to 24,000 people, as management officials said earlier.

The Delta City shopping mall has 80 tenants, half of which are international brands. In 2016, Delta City shopping mall became part of the Hyprop Investments Group. Hyprop Investments is Africa's largest investment fund for shopping malls, and the Delta City shopping mall in Podgorica is managed by the newly established Hystead Limited, based in London. In the Delta Mall, over 90 events are held annually, ranging from fashion, children, entertainment, art to educational and humanitarian events.

Text by Ana Komatina, on July 31st, 2019, read more at Vijesti

July 31, 2019 - Continuing our look at the real estate possibilities in Montenegro, through the RE/MAX catalogue, a visit to Donja Lastva by Tivat.

Tivat has undergone tremendous change in the last 15 years since the arrival of the Porto Montenegro project. And now with Lustica Bay also under construction close by, it is becoming one of the most fashionable places to be on the coast. It is lively all year, and it is not uncommon to find residents of Dubrovnik coming for the weekend in the winter months as there is more life. 

This week's RE/MAX Property of the Week comes from Donja Lastva, which lies between Tivat centre and the ferry, a nice spot. With a very nice view from this spacious 308m2 house on a 376m2 plot. As RE/MAX explains:

The house has three entrances. The main one is from the parking space, the second is up to the stairs, and the third is from the terrace.

For sale is a very beautiful family house in Donja Lastva, with special comfort and style. There is a pleasant combination of colors, a spacious terrace covered with flowers, and a breathtaking view of the sea. When you need not just a house by the sea, but something special, this house is just what you need. It will surely find a response in your hearts.

On the 1st floor, we come from the entrance hall to the living room with a fireplace, here we have a kitchen room, a sauna for 6 people, a spacious bathroom with a jacuzzi and a shower. At the same level, there is a laundry room with a window, a storeroom-workshop, and a guest toilet.

We go the stairs and get to the 1st floor, on the right is a dressing room, on the left is the exit to the spacious hall, which is divided into the living room, and the dining area with modern kitchen (Bosch appliances, furniture is custom-made). Comfortable sofas in the living room, armchairs, a large plasma TV, a white piano - everything has to have pleasant evenings in this house.

From the living room, we get to a huge summer terrace, immersed in flowers. There are many cozy places where you can retire for a cup of coffee, there is a large dining area with a pergola for all families and guests, a barbecue made to order, a fountain with a mini pool surrounded by flowers. You truly feel in paradise, because the terrace offers stunning views of the sea, the Bay of Tivat, Porto Montenegro and the green mountains. On the terrace, at the edge of the site, there is an unfinished pool, but all the materials for it are available.

In front of the house, there is no possibility to build something so that you can close the view. This is one of the main advantages of this property.

From the living room up to the stairs, we get to the 2nd floor. But the house also has a third entrance - from the side of the gate. We enter the entrance hall, here is the guest toilet and access to the living room. We climb the stairs and get to the 2nd floor, here around the hall there are 4 bedrooms and 2 spacious bathrooms. Two large bedrooms and a guest bedroom - all overlooking the sea, as well as a nursery with a window on the green wall.

Air conditioners are installed in each room. Internet, satellite TV. Everywhere warm floors.Water. House owners buy 35-40 m2 of water - this is enough for the spring and summer period. At other times of the year, rainwater is used, water filters are installed.

For electricity, in the winter they pay a maximum of 400 euros per month (if you include all heating devices), but on average - 200 euros. On the 2nd floor, there is a wood-burning stove that warms the house perfectly. It is also possible to install a fireplace in the living room (optional).

Every year, a house tax of about 1,300 euros.

Price: 799,000 euros

For more information, photos and to book a viewing, check out the original RE/MAX listing. 

30 July 2019 - Budva Municipality gets an official mobile application within the #DynaMob 2.0 project – says the statement of the PR service of the local government of Budva Municipality, in which they announced that they developed an interactive Dyn-APP smartphone application.

The mobile application will allow residents and tourists to have accurate and timely information on all contents that Budva has to offer: timetables and public transport stations, pedestrian and bicycle paths, free parking spaces, etc. It aims to bring together all city services in one place and provide immediate information tourists are interested in, which promotes the commercial sector and generates value to citizens.

Users will also be able to choose the most convenient means of transportation from their location to the desired hotel, restaurant, cultural and historical monument or some other place they prefer to visit.

The application will contain the most important data on all places in Budva, as well as weather forcast and other valuable information for citizens, which will both improve their quality of life and generate wealth.

You can view the presentation and application interface on the official Facebook profile of Budva Municipality.

The #DynaMob 2.0 project is part of the EU-funded Interreg IPA CBC Italy-Albania-Montenegro program through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA II). It represents a joint initiative of five municipalities: the Municipality of Budva and the municipalities of Copertino and Campobasso in Italy, the municipalities of Skrapar and Tirana in Albania, as well as the Italian company Agenzia Formativa Ulisse and the Tirana Chamber of Economy.

This project aims to promote the use of sustainable means of transport in the area of its implementation. In the coming months, the Municipality of Budva announced that two fully viable routes would be designated and equipped, the use of which will be intended exclusively for pedestrians and cyclists.

Read more information useful for travelling to and through Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

The Rowing Story TV series, or 'Na veslu priča', during seven years and eighty episodes in which literary authors tell stories of nature and mentality while rowing, returned to RTS - Radio Television Serbia for a direct communication with authors, spirit and nature. It also brought back the documentary tradition of a direct recording of cultural and natural heritage that is disappearing.

In the fourth season, which is currently being broadcast, after Novi Sad and Budva, the author team "What do you want" takes us to Kotor in six Rowing Story episodes, which are broadcast on the national RTS 3 channel and the RTS World satellite program from Thursday, August 1, 2019, as announced from NGO “Matica Boke”.

The author of the concept and director of the series, Rastko Šejić, says: “We met and peeked into every corner of the UNESCO-protected town of Kotor. Today, he looks more like a boardwalk for curious tourists from giant cruisers casting shade on the walls and palaces of the ancient city center.

Gift shops and passing services dominate one of the cultural centers of the region.

After all, statistics say that 70% of Montenegro's cultural treasure lies in Kotor. And that spirit feels a bit carnival. It was a joy to become aware of the fact that three cultural organizations of the 19th century continue to operate. That the Square of Arms was a Theater. Missing originals. But Kotor is still alive. Spirit and stone, cunning defends itself. How he always defended himself. We shot great people, wonderful places from land, air and water. In a political moment of unnecessary tension between Titograd and Belgrade, cooperation at the spirit level must be vital."

Creators of this ancient city spoke about it. Dejan Dedovic Deda, half of the hip-hop duo Who See, discusses the legend of the Three Sisters – Tre sorele in the story "3 in 1 love" (1 August.), and curator and writer Radojka Abramovic considers fate of the Buća family in the episode "And Souls Talk "(2 August). Faculty of Drama Art in Cetinje professor Darko Antović tells about Filip J. Kovacevic in "Idealisao "(5. August.), doctor of philology and songwriter Isidora Milivojević talks about love using her poem and poetic story "Source of modernity "(6. August). Dragan Đurčić, a longtime Yugoslav water polo worker and general secretary of the Serbian Singing Society "Jedinstvo", founded in 1839, presents the legend "Primorac" (7. Aug.) about water polo in Kotor. In a joint episode of "How Can It Be" (8/8), all actors in the Kotor series confront opinions about the modern world, creativity, ecology and mentality.

Rowing Story executive producer Željko Komnenović (Matica Boke); composer Vladimir Lesic; director of photography Aleksandar Kalezic; cinematographer Djordje Obradovic; editor Milan Pejnović; art director: Zoran Mujbegović; announcer: Aleksandar Novakovic; barkarjoli - rowers Vinko Vujovic, Filo Biskupovic, Davor Lakicevic; intro animation Kosta Milovanovic, Miroslav Spajic. Production: What You Want © 2019. wdoyouw.org, Nut Boke. Project supported by: Kotor Municipality, Kotor TO, Luka Kotor, Herceg Novi Municipality

30 July 2019 - Hotel Hilton Podgorica announced that the hotel has installed a charging station for guests to conveniently and safely charge their electric vehicles.

Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora is one of 5,700 Hilton hotels worldwide that is implementing the Travel with Purpose guidelines aimed at cutting environment imprint in half and doubling the investment in social impact by 2030, which are the backbone of the Hilton corporate responsibility strategy developed over the course of 100 years of business.

Travel with Purpose is the extension of the drive of Hilton’s management to positively change the world. Taking this concept into consideration, Hilton hotels are focused on leading the way in ensuring the destinations where their guests live, work and travel are vibrant and resilient for generations to come. Notably, they are the first major hotel company to both set science-based targets to reduce carbon emissions in line with the Paris Climate Agreement and to commit to sending zero hotel soap to landfill. And importantly, they plan to double their investment in inclusive growth for all through programs that help women, youth, veterans, refugees and people with disabilities around the world – so that different communities can realize the full economic benefits of travel and tourism. By strategically installing electric vehicle charging stations throughout Hilton’s vast network of properties, the company is aiming to help road warriors travel with purpose by feeding their wanderlust and need to help the environment – a goal Hilton shares.

Electric vehicle drivers are notably growing in number, and Montenegro is trying to keep up with the latest trends. The newly installed charging station in Hilton will be the second station of this type in Montenegro. The first electric vehicle charging station introduced in Montenegro was the station located in Tivat, which was opened earlier this month.

The electric vehicle charging station in Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora, according to the hotel’s PR service, is positioned in the hotel’s underground parking garage, and at the station, users can charge one electric vehicle of any kind (cars, motorcycles, scooters, bicycles) for 90 minutes.

For more information on Hilton Podgorica Crna Gora, please call the hotel at +382 20 443 443 or visit the hotel’s website at http://www.podgoricacrnagora.hilton.com.

30 July 2019 - During the working visit to the city municipality of Golubovci, where he presented encouraging results of the Government's support to plant production, in particular to tillage and vegetable farming, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović and his associates met with representatives of city municipality Golubovci headed by Tanja Stajović.

The meeting discussed the current Government policies focused on the further development of business, especially agricultural production and entrepreneurship, job creation and improvement of infrastructure and the living and working conditions in this area.

Deputy Prime Minister Milutin Simović particularly expressed satisfaction with the effects of the Government's capital development projects, such as the construction of a new boulevard from Podgorica to Golubovci and a secondary vocational school worth more than 10 million EUR.

Furthermore, the meeting discussed enhanced control in order to eliminate the illegal exploitation of gravel and sand in the lower stream of the Morača River, as stated in the announcement by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Montenegro.

Finally, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Milutin Simović stated that the Government of Montenegro has already allocated 1,23 million EUR of grants for 1.800 farmers from 21 municipalities for the development of tillage and vegetable farming, while the processing of requests for an additional 800.000 EUR is ongoing.

As a result of one of the measures – a public call for support to vegetable farming – a total of 384 agricultural producers from 14 municipalities were supported, who invested almost 1 million EUR and received non-refundable support of 415.000 EUR. Investments covered the purchase of seeds, seedlings, foils, while the support amounted to 40 to 50%. In Podgorica, 122 producers received 125.000 EUR, or 30% of the total amount of support.

Read more news about business in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

30 July 2019 - The public consultation was organized in Podgorica by the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro, with the support of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, the Council of Europe and the European Union Delegation to Montenegro on the proposal for the law on Audio-Visual Media Services. Participants included representatives of media companies and NGOs dealing with issues related to media.

In a lively debate, it was concluded that Montenegro, as a European Union candidate country, has to align its legislation with the EU’s Audio-visual Media Services Directive.

Minister of Culture Aleksandar Bogdanović recalled that in 2018, a legislative review was initiated to align the media law with international standards, supported by experts from the European Commission, the Council of Europe and the OSCE, and followed by a broad dialogue among all stakeholders.

“Due to the rapid development of the media industry, additional issues relating to the free and unobstructed work of electronic media need to be regulated by law. The draft Law on Audio-Visual Media Services, implementing the Directive of the European Parliament and the Council and amending the Audio-Visual Media Services Directive, was adopted at the end of 2018 by the European Parliament. In addition, the draft recommendations from the JUFREX Analysis of the Media Sector of Montenegro have been implemented,” said Minister Bogdanović, as Ministry of Culture of Montenegro reported.

He also emphasized that the Government is an constructive partner in the field of democratic and reform processes, based on EU standards of a regulated media environment and as an essential precondition for building an open, multicultural society, with full readiness for European integration.

Head of the Co-operation Section at the EU Delegation to Montenegro Hermann Spitz said that Montenegro, as an EU candidate country, has to align its legislation with the EU’s Audio-visual Media Services Directive and that the process needs to be inclusive, coordinated and transparent.

“The EU, together with our partners in the Council of Europe and the OSCE, is happy to provide expertise and help Montenegro with the Draft Law on Audio-visual Media Services. The set of three new laws, which are being prepared by Montenegro, as well as the ongoing call for a new Council of the Agency for Electronic Media, represent very good opportunities for improving Montenegro’s track record in the media field. This is something that citizens expect and that the EU will continue to monitor very closely,” said Spitz.

Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro Maryse Daviet recalled that two other media round table discussions took place this year: the first in February on the Draft Law on Media, and the second in March on the Draft Law on the public broadcaster, RTCG.

“Both roundtable discussions gave the public the opportunity to discuss the proposed amendments, as well as to hear the analysis of a number of international media legislation experts. With this third roundtable discussion, we hope to provide you with the same opportunity,” said Daviet.

Key recommendations of the Media Sector Analysis from 2017 were the basis for the legal reforms in Media law, said Lejla Dervišagić, Co-ordinator for the Council of Europe delegation.

“These reforms will be implemented in the second phase of the Council of Europe and EU’s joint JUFREX project: Freedom of Expression and Freedom of the Media in South-East Europe, over the next three years,” she concluded.

Read more news about lifestyle in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

The E-mobility Days, with the motto “The Future is Electric”, will be organized on August 2 and 3 in Pristan, Ulcinj.

On the first day, models of electric cars, motorcycles, bicycles and scooters will be presented to citizens and tourists, while the second day, as announced from the Municipality Ulcinj, is reserved for owners of restaurants and fast food shops, to whom will be presented models of electric motorcycles for food delivery.

"The aim of the activity is to educate and raise citizens' awareness of the importance of using electric vehicles in traffic, the positive impact they have on the environment, on the quality of air in the city, as well as on the relief of jams and crowds in the inner-city centers," the municipality said.

The E-mobility days in Ulcinj are organized as part of the project "e-GUTS - Electric, Electronic and Green Urban Transport System", funded by the European Union within the Danube Transnational Program.

Text by CdM, on July 29th 2019, read more at CdM