Simon Des Etages is a seasoned attorney, working as Deputy General Counsel, Global Retail Banking & Wealth Management at HSBC Bank USA in New York. He has extensive international experience advising on a broad range of legal and regulatory matters, with particular expertise in wealth management and private banking. He is also proud of being a team player with a commitment to developing experienced teams of attorneys.

 Apart from his profession, he is also a musician (plays and composes), a poet, who also likes to draw and paint. His father had come from his native Trinidad to England, where he had met his future wife of Serbian descent and they made their family nest in London.

His site is called "Simon's Place", where he says about himself: “Born in London, UK in 1964 and currently living in New York City.  My adopted spiritual home.” 

 But another faraway place was responsible for building up his spirit as it is. A tiny place on the coast of Montenegro, in Boka Kotorska, just opposite of Perast - Stoliv, (meaning 100 olives), where he used to spend his summers together with his mother, brother, and relatives on his mother’s side.

He spoke about this exclusively for Total Montenegro News.

 “This was another life, a parallel existence, where people lived forever and the little "chocolate boy" was loved unreservedly by his favourite uncles, mother and sisters, the colourful fish that swam in his front garden and sea squids, starfish,  neighbours and strangers, where he’d walk barefoot on baked roads next to the Adriatic, growing hard blisters like tortoises emerging from soft sand, traverse high mountain passes into emerald green vistas, slip around dried snake skins hanging like old socks in the bushes and duck away from large metallic green beetles while nervously passing ancient graveyards full of bleached, weather worn headstones and bones.  He was the strange beloved one that people liked to pinch, the little dark boy they’d squeeze until he’d wince, these were days of goat’s milk and honey, cream cheese (kaymak), home baked bread, muscle rice, home grown water melons, sweet grapes and deep red cherries, sparkling water (kisela voda) and jellied orange peel (slatko) for breakfast, where he lived like a prince and where his most valuable asset was his broad smile and innocent difference, days when love was not questioned but assumed, whether it be an expression of some deep trauma, the breath of god or both wrapped up in a goodnight kiss, with the night’s winged minions clinging like limpets to the ceiling, they mesmerized by the light above and he by their milling throng and diversity, she would stroke his face and say goodnight Sammy my love, sleep tight, remember you go fishing early tomorrow with Chika Juro (Djuro), I love you.”

 Years, even decades have passed since Simon has visited Stoliv and Boka kotorska. Some other kids are playing now, where he used to play with his cousins and friends. Their games have changed, but maybe some of them still exist. Chika Juro passed away a long time ago and there is nothing left of his old wooden boat, which he used for fishing with Simon and other kids. The old stone house, about three centuries old is still there, but with new owners. Maybe some of them will try to preserve the true meaning and old fragrance of Stoliv.

Meanwhile, this parallel existence is still there, in the mind of this serious grown – up with preserved child’s soul. Cheers, bro.

Concert "EVERGREENS"  which will be performed by the "OVERCROSS ENSEMBLE", consisting of Milica Milovic (guitars, vocals), Nedeljko Pejovic (guitar) and Jelena Zivkovic (Violin) will be performed at the Purgatorije festival on Tuesday, July 30 at 9:30 pm at Lustica Bay.

As announced from the Culture Centre Tivat, the concert contains 15 representative pop music tracks (the term Pop is used in the broader sense – apart from pop, also includes rock, funk and related genres), which have experienced the test of time, transcended the style and genre in which they were written and ranked in the treasury of the universally recognized values ​​of world culture. Hence the name of the concert - Evegreens / always green, an expression that has been recognized in the world for this kind of music. These tracks have been signed by performers such as Sting, Daft Punk, The Beatles, Queen, Toto. In short, the genre of Dean Martin to Maroon5 - from funk to chanson and back. Apart from them, representative tracks were selected from so-called popular music from Yugoslavia and the Balkans, i.e. of our domicile space that is close to us and which once did not stay behind (in its "golden years") the world trends.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Transportation for the concert is provided and departure to Luštica Bay from the old bus station is at 20,30.

On Monday, July 29 at 9:30 pm, on the small scene of  Atrium Buća in Tivat, within the Festival of Mediterranean Theatre "Purgatorije", the theatre performance "HASANAGINICA" by Culture Center Tivat will be performed. The play will be reprized on July 30 and 31, also on the small scene of the Atrium Buća at 9.30 p.m.   The play is written by Ljubomir Simović and directed by Jagoš Marković. Starring: Kristina Stevovic, Branimir Popovic, Anita Mancic, Radmila Zivkovic, Nebojsa Kundacina, Aleksandar Sreckovic, Misa Obradovic, Petar Novakovic, Emir Covic and Milos Pejovic.      

What we remember very well from high school and lessons on literature is the Slovenian antithesis at the very beginning of this tragic ballad in which the narrator points to the white color of the tent of Hasan-aga, i.e., on the innocence of his loyal love, which due to the patriarchal upbringing, the jealous husband and the rules of the Qur'an must not leave the house and visit her master who "suffers from anger wounds". From the very beginning to the very end of this tragedy, we are aware of the injustice that happens to the wife and mother Hasanaginica, who is morally, mentally and physically destroyed because of the civilization in which she lives and where the male principle defines the fate of women and takes a right and role of God to decide on others life.

"Hasanaginica is the DNA of all our pain, our grief and our love. This is a true ancient tragedy placed on our premises and in our mentality, and what we have tried to do is a homage to this great drama and its endless beauty"- Jagoš Marković.

28 July 2019 - According to the most recent Airports Council International Report on airport industry connectivity, Montenegro occupies the 36^th position out of 43 countries whose airport traffic has been analysed. In terms of individual capital city airports, between 2009 and 2019, Podgorica was the fastest-growing capital city airport within the former Yugoslavia based on connectivity, averaging growth of 284%.

The Airports Council International (ACI) published its official Airport Industry Connectivity Report 2019 in June 2019, analysing the evolution of direct, indirect and total airport connectivity between 2009 and 2019. The report provides comprehensive measurement and analysis of the way Europe’s air connectivity has evolved over the past ten years.

The Connectivity Report delves into the dynamics and performance of air connectivity for and across Europe– down to each individual airport that is part of the European aviation system. As such, the different types of air connectivity indexes ACI uses - direct, indirect and hub connectivity – are useful metrics for airports themselves, but also for policy makers who may want to include connectivity data as part of their assessments and decision-making process.

Countries of the former Yugoslavia offer among the fewest connections to passengers travelling by air, both direct and indirect, compared to their European counterparts, according to Airport Council International's (ACI) latest connectivity report for 2019. Although Bosnia has the lowest direct connectivity, it is ahead of Macedonia in terms of indirect and hub connectivity, explain the ExYU Aviation Website. The report states that Montenegrin airports occupy the 36th place out of 43 countries surveyed.

On the other hand, individual capital city airports from across the region have seen robust connectivity growth over the past decade. Between 2009 and 2019, Podgorica was the fastest-growing capital city airport within the former Yugoslavia in terms of connectivity, averaging growth of 284%. It is followed by Skopje at 119%, Sarajevo at 109%, Belgrade at 77%, Zagreb at 73.4% and Ljubljana, which grew 20.4%.

In terms of airport traffic, ACI has also found that “with the cost of travel decreasing in many markets, and a burgeoning middle class growing in emerging markets, passenger traffic growth has remained irrepressible”. Indeed, ACI’s global medium-term forecasts reveal growth in demand for air services between 2018 to 2023 will grow by almost 30%. This means many national governments face the predicament of demand outstripping available airport infrastructure.

Airports Council International (ACI), the trade association of the world’s airports, was founded in 1991 to foster cooperation among its member airports and other partners in world aviation, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Air Transport Association and the Civil Air Navigation Services Organization. In representing the best interests of airports during key phases of policy development, ACI makes a significant contribution toward ensuring a global air transport system that is safe, secure, efficient and environmentally sustainable. As of January 2019, ACI serves 646 members, operating 1,960 airports in 176 countries. ACI uses the report as an opportunity to stress the importance of public policy and regulation in facilitating and enhancing connectivity, which is closely linked to the economic wealth of countries. ACI has called for progress on issues such as airport capacity, the liberalisation of market access, the lowering of navigation charges and aviation taxes and lighter economic regulation for airports.

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

28 July 2019 - Montenegro has significantly improved its position in a prestigious ranking of the world’s most innovative countries. After last year's ranking as the 52^nd most innovative country worldwide by the Global Innovation Index, Montenegro has reached 45^th place in the 2019 edition.

According to the Global Innovation Index 2019, which was released July 24^th with the theme “Creating Healthy Lives – The Future of Medical Innovation”, Montenegro occupies the 45^th position in the Global Innovation Index 2019 rankings. On the list of Innovation Input Sub-Index rankings, Montenegro is ranked 55^th, while in terms of Innovation Output Sub-Index rankings, Montenegro occupies the 46^th position.

The Global Innovation Index 2019 by Cornell University, INSEAD and WIPO, provides detailed metrics about the innovation performance of 129 countries and economies around the world. Its 80 indicators explore a broad vision of innovation, including political environment, education, infrastructure and business sophistication. The GII 2019 analyses the medical innovation landscape of the next decade, looking at how technological and non-technological medical innovation will transform the delivery of healthcare worldwide. It also explores the role and dynamics of medical innovation as it shapes the future of healthcare, and the potential influence this may have on economic growth. Chapters of the report provide more details on this year’s theme from academic, business, and particular country perspectives from leading experts and decision-makers.

According to the report, “Thailand (43rd), Montenegro (45th), and the Russian Federation (46th) are among the upper-middle-income economies that are performing above high-income economies in selected GII pillars”. The publication also places Montenegro on the list of countries whose results exceeded “expectations for the level of development”.

The Global Innovation Index confirms that Montenegro has maintained relatively stable ranking on the list of the world’s most innovative countries. “The following 18 economies are among the top 50, with most of them maintaining relatively stable rankings since 2014: the Czech Republic (26th), Malta (27th), Spain (29th), Italy (30th), Slovenia (31st), Portugal (32nd), Hungary (33rd), Latvia (34th), Slovakia (37th), Lithuania (38th), Poland (39th), Bulgaria (40th), Greece (41st), Croatia (44th), Montenegro (45th), the Russian Federation (46th), Ukraine (47th), and Romania (50th),” it is stated in the report.

The Global Innovation Index 2019 found that overall, “Switzerland is the world’s most-innovative country followed by Sweden, the United States of America (U.S.), the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (U.K.),” according to a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) press release. Since 2011, Switzerland has ranked 1st in the GII every year.

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

A severe Genoa Low, unusual for this time of year, moved towards the Boka Bay area on Saturday night.

Changeable and overcast weather is expected in Montenegro for Sunday, mainly dry in the morning, with rain, heavy showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon and especially overnight.

There is also a possibility of localised hailstorms, with heavier precipitation forecast for southern and central regions.

Winds will be south to south-west, moderate to strong, with very strong gusts.

Morning temperatures will be between 12 and 25°c, with afternoon highs of between 22 and 33°c.

Roman Night 2019, planned for 28th July in Risan, will be postponed until Tuesday, 30th July due to the bad weather, the organisers stated.

28 July 2019 - Prime Minister Duško Marković stated at Business Forum in Bijelo Polje that the Government invested more than 1 billion EUR from the beginning of the mandate by the end of this year, which makes it the biggest investor in Northern Montenegro. This way the Government paved the way for further development of the North, and now the synergy of the state, private companies and individuals should be proven in practice in order to make Montenegro, along with partnership with the diaspora, a place where people will live with the quality of a European citizen. 

"Today, it is no longer said that there needs to be an investment in the North. At the moment, dozens of projects are being implemented in the North, machines and builders are at every step and in Bijelo Polje in particular. That is why I am looking forward to the organization of this investment forum right here not only because of recognizing the potentials, possible new investment ideas, but also the necessary synergies between the state, private companies and individuals to raise the Montenegrin economy on its feet and make it a place where people will live with the quality of a European citizen. It is our duty to be the bearer of positive changes. To invest smartly and create preconditions for business development in all municipalities and all sectors," Prime Minister Marković said while addressing participants of the first business forum in Bijelo Polje, as stated in the announcement by the Prime Minister's Office.

Prime Minister Marković said that he does not address the attendees only as an official, but also a representative of the largest investor in the north - the Government of Montenegro.

"This is best confirmed by the fact that each day we are getting closer to the opening of the motorway section worth 809 million euros. That is why this is a good opportunity to repeat – it is not financed by either the Chinese company or the Chinese government. The motorway is financed by the state of Montenegro. And it is fully owned by the citizens of Montenegro," Prime Minister Marković said. 

The Forum, which brought together about a hundred business people from Montenegro and abroad, was attended by, among others, Minister of Economy Dragica Sekulić, President of the Chamber of Commerce of Montenegro Vlastimir Golubović and the President of the Bijelo Polje Municipality Petar Smolović. 

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

28 July 2019 - The current activities of state bodies in improving media legislation and the safety of journalists represent a significant contribution to strengthening media freedom in Montenegro, it was concluded at the second session of the Rule of Law Council held recently in Podgorica.

The quick reaction of the Montenegrin police and decisive response to recent threats posed to journalist of Vijesti Samir Adrović, as well as ongoing activities in other cases in this area, send a clear message that the State will not tolerate any form of violence against journalists, Deputy Prime Minister and President of the Rule of Law Council Zoran Pažin stressed, as his Office reported.

"It is very important that we quickly and decisively respond to these threats and demonstrate the State's determination to protect the safety and personal integrity of journalists effectively. I am convinced that the State's response to threats is the best prevention of the violence itself," DPM Pažin said.

The Council concluded that the level of progress Montenegro has made in the area of the rule of law since the beginning of the EU accession negotiations process requires an innovative approach in reporting to citizens and international partners on the results in fulfilling obligations under chapters 23 and 24. To that end, unique information on Montenegro's achieved results since the opening of negotiations in Chapters 23 and 24 to date, both in the field of media and in other priority areas of the rule of law, needs to be prepared.

The Rule of Law Council, chaired by DPM Pažin, consists of heads of the judiciary, prosecutors, government and independent institutions in charge of the rule of law issues. The task of the Rule of Law Council is to monitor the implementation of obligations under chapters 23 and 24 in the process of Montenegro's accession to the European Union, as well as to make recommendations to the competent institutions for urgent action in order to fulfill these obligations. According to the Government's decision of 13 June 2019, a new Council was established with fewer members and a focus on concrete results in meeting the conditions of the negotiation process and further strengthening of the rule of law in Montenegro.

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

27 July 2019 - Soprano Ena Topčibašić will be in the focus of the Evening of Montenegrin and Russian Art on Thursday, August 1st, which will take place at the Great Hall (Montenegrin: Velika sala) of the Cultural and Informational Centre Budo Tomović in Podgorica, starting at 8 pm.

The artist will perform with Russian pianist Elena Larina and Montenegrin actors Anđelija Rondović, Marko Rajković, Jovan Dabović and Jelena Šestović who will perform the works of Mihailo Lalić and Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky. The actors will also recite the poetry of Obrad Nenezić, Sergei Alexandrovich Yesenin and Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin.

The concert program includes works by Brinčki, Prebanda, Krstić, Babić, Hatze, Rahmaninov, Rimsky-Korsakov, Smetana, as well as numerous Montenegrin and Russian songs.

Ena Topčibašić graduated from elementary school in Bijelo Polje. She also graduated from elementary music school in Bijelo Polje. As a member of a piano duo, she won a silver lyre at the state competition held in Herceg Novi in ​​2014. The same year, she was declared a winner at the NIS Olympics in Russian language held in Novi Sad. In June 2014 she represented Montenegro at the World Russian Language Olympics, held in Moscow, where she won the first prize in the competition of representatives from 26 countries. She finished high school at the Art School for Music and Ballet Vasa Pavić, at the department of solo singing, in the class of Professor Zorana Latković. Numerous prizes she won during high school include: Golden Lyre at the state solo singing competition, the second prize at the international competition of solo singers Bruna Špiler, the special prize as a member of the chamber ensemble at the state competition and the third prize at the international solo singers competition Nikola Cvejić in Ruma

Since October 2018, Topčibašić has been studying singing at the Vienna Music Academy - Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien in the class of Professor Martin Vácha. In September 2018, she became a member of the famous choir - Arnold Schoenberg Chor. She also performs at the Vienna Opera Theatre - season 2018/19, in the performance of the opera Orleanskaya deva by the composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky and also in the performance of the opera Oberon by the composer Carl Maria von Weber. In October of the same year, she got a chance to be the lead in a project under the leadership of world renowned tenor, Michael Schade. As the youngest member of the group, she gained experience in the Vienna music scene singing Monteverdi's works in December 2018. She performed well-known Napolitano melodies in February 2019 at the concert in Waldenstein. During her studies at the Music Academy she performed at concerts at the Schönbrunn-Schlosstheater in January and May 2019. She currently has excellent cooperation with Russian pianist Elena Larina and is continuing her path in the spirit of Russian music, singing at the Russian Cultural Centre in Vienna, focusing on the works of composers Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky.

Read more about cultural events in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

27 July 2019 - Kitesurfing has been gaining great popularity in Montenegro in recent years since extreme sports fans can enjoy this activity on the Great Beach (Montenegrin: Velika plaža) in Ulcinj. According to instructor Nemanja Škobić, Ulcinj can be placed within the top three most secure places in the world to master this sporting skill.

Kitesurfing is an action sport combining aspects of wakeboarding, snowboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, skateboarding and sailing into one extreme sport. A kitesurfer harnesses the power of the wind with a large controllable power kite to be propelled across the water, land, or snow.

One of the windiest and beautiful sandy beaches of Montenegro – the Great Beach has a lot to offer, and because of the growing interest for kitesurfing, the beach now has its kite center. The kite centre instructors and kitesurfing enthusiasts want to share their passion for this sport provide all interested individuals advice formed after a long-term experience. They have a trained and motivated team, modern teaching techniques and the most modern equipment, which all guarantee ideal learning progress in their tailor-made kitesurfing courses.

Nemanja Škobić, who has been working as a kitesurfing instructor for ten years on the Great Beach in Ulcinj, gave an interview for Tanjug, where he stated that a large number of locals and tourists have undergone training for the sport.

"In order to master the basic steps, it takes from eight to ten hours of exercise. The course is popular with both children and adults," said Škobić.

He also pointed out that the Great Beach in Ulcinj, which is about 13 kilometres long, belongs to the top three safest places in the world to master the kitesurfing skill, and one of the reasons for this is the vastness of the beach.

"The width and length of the beach, as well as the length of the shallow water areas that do not have coral, rocks, trees, power lines – all create perfect conditions for kitesurfing," said Škobić, adding that the training season usually starts in early May and lasts until the beginning of October. Kitesurfing beginners and newcomers find perfect conditions for fast learning progress by being provided with a wide sandy area (without dangerous riffs or rocks), shallow water and constant side-onshore-winds. However, advanced kiteboarders will also love this beach for its moderate temperatures and a lot of free space to practice new moves.

Škobić also explained that the training process is normally split into several stages, where the basic steps are learned on the sand, and then the individuals head into the sea to master their skills. The training is perfectly adapted to each individual’s needs, no matter whether they want to improve their kitesurfing skills or want to learn advanced moves and tricks.

Read more information about new experiences when travelling through Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

27 July 2019 - Traffic laws in Montenegro still have not defined the use of self-balance e-scooters on public roads and that is why the Montenegrin National Police plans to launch an initiative requiring amendments to the road safety legislation. Until then, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Montenegro urges the citizens to be more careful on roads/pavements, reported CdM.

E-Scooters with electric motors are already commonly used in many cities of Montenegro, not just by children but the adults as well.

Despite many advantages, experts warn of potential dangers with powered scooters, having in mind they can travel up to 35 km/h. As they represent a completely new mode of transport on Montenegro’s roads, laws governing road safety still haven’t defined it closely, the Ministry of Internal Affairs stated.

However, the Office for Communal Affairs, Transport and Energy Efficiency for the Tivat Municipality have announced that between the hours of 7 PM and 11 PM daily, the Pine Boardwalk, Marshal Tito Street and Ivo Vizin Boardwalk will be closed to bicycles and e-scooters.

“The measure has been taken in response to an increase in the number of cycle and scooter users on the boardwalk who travel at a speed that is a real danger to pedestrians, particularly small children,” highlighted the Tivat Municipality representatives on this occasion.

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