From April 15th to April 25th, at the 24th edition of the Herceg Novi April Theater Festival (HAPS), under the motto "HAPS as a Challenge", seven theater performances from the country and the region will be shown, as well as the film "Perfetti Sconcsciuti" (Perfect Strangers). According to the selector of the festival, Milina Kovacevic, the concept of this year's HAPS was designed as a comparison of artistic thoughts and challenges for the audience.

"The concept aims to compare the film "Perfect Strangers" according to the original script with the theater adaptation of the play "Black Box", by Niksic Theater. The aim is to compare two versions of the same text - to notice the differences in direction, character interpretation, space projection and other solutions in the play "Ice Cream" – by the Croatian playwright Miro Gavran, in the performance of a private theater from Zagreb and the recent exhibition of the National Theater from Nis. The goal is to compare two readings of the same template in the "Empire's New Clothes", i.e., the drama play for adults and children," says, among others, Kovacevic, explaining that the concept of comparisons leaves the audience to compare what the artists think about capitalism and how they put it before different age groups".

Kovacevic further explains that they simply imagined the situation in which the viewer is ambitious and as such wants to look at both proposed versions.

"We have designed a version where parents and children share a ticket package for two versions of one piece. We imagined that the viewer would present the ticket for a performance by HAPS to a friend, as an invitation to meet and talk," explains the selector of the festival, Milina Kovacevic.

HAPS will be opened with the play "Black Box" by Niksic Theater on Monday, April 15^th at 8.30 pm, according to the text by Ana Đordjevic, referring to the film "Perfect Strangers". Directed by Goran Bulajic, and cast is: Simo Trebjesanin, Gordana Micunovic, Jovan Krivokapic, Anja Drljevic, Omar Bajramspahic, Marija Djuric, Nikola Vasiljevic, while on the second night of HAPS, thanks to the Embassy of Italy in Montenegro and Stars Media International Belgrade, the film "Perfetti Sconcsciuti" by Paolo Genovese, will be shown, and the entrance is free.

On Wednesday, April 17^th, on the repertoire will be the play "Ice Cream" by the Theater "Gavran" from Zagreb, according to Miro Gavran's text and directed by Boris Svrtan, which features Mladen Gavran and Ana Vilenica, and on April 19th the audience will be able to see the play "Capital" of the Royal Theater "Zetski dom" Cetinje, the dramatization of the work by Karl Marx, signed by Vedrana Bozinovic, directed by Andras Urban. The cast is Jelena Laban, Jelena Sestovic, Pavle Prelevic, Stevan Vukovic while the musicians are Milivoje Picuric piano, Jovan Bjelica guitar, Blazo Tatar drums, and Vedran Zekovic bass guitar.

Already on Saturday, April 20th, in the morning from 10 a.m., "Kapital" will be played by the children of the Royal Theater "Zetski dom "Cetinje", which is the author's project by Petar Pejakovic and Dusan Muric. In this performance is Aleksandar Popovic, Marija Jovicevic, Aleksandra Sovran, Marija Pobor, Anastasija Sovran, Ivana Popović, Anita Jankovic, Vasilije Djukanovic, David Vukovic, Prorokovic Djordjije, Milica Andric, Filip Ivanovic, Andrej Lipovina, Radovic Milica, Marija Andric, Doroteja Buskovic, Dorotea Roganović, Nikoleta Tatar, Kristijan Kadija and Maja Marković. On the same day, at 7 pm, Bitef Theater Belgrade will play "Carevo novo odelo", a dance performance by Bitef dance company. The text and direction are signed by Jelena Kajgo, music by Aleksandra Djokic and choreography by Dejan Volarev. The cast includes Slaven Doslo, Sara Tasic, Una Vujosevic, Jaksa Filipovac, Helena Celap, Una Djuricic, Anja Milosavljevic, Nikola Zivkovic and Natalija Djecevic.

The theater audience will once again have a chance to see the play "Ice cream" by Miro Gavran on April 23^rd at 8.30 p.m., but this time in the performance of the National Theater from Nis. The director is Spasoje Z. Milovanovic and Ivana Nedovic and Nadja Nedovic Tekinder are the main acts. HAPS will be closed on April 25^th with the performance of the Herceg Novi Theater and JUK Herceg Festival "Carevo novo odelo" in the dramatization of Djordje Stanojlovic, Petar Pejakovic, Goran Slavic, Dejan Djonovic, Milos Pejovic, and Vladimir Milosevic and directed by Petar Pejakovic. The main acts are Dejan Djonović, Milos Pejovic, Goran Slavic, Slavisa Grubisa. Since the start date of the festival coincides with the date of the great earthquake that hit Montenegro and Herceg Novi 40 years ago, one segment of the accompanying program will be dedicated to this event, primarily through the project Earthquake.me by Dr Vuk Vukovic. HAPS whose programs, like in the previous years, will be organized in the Hall Park and this year is the result of the cooperation between JUK Herceg Festival and Herceg Novi Theater, supported by Herceg Novi Municipality and sponsors.

Text by D.Djonovic, on April 9th, 2019, read more at CdM

Local people in Baosici and NGO Eko Boka appealed to the authorities to protect palastura (Pinna Nobilis) the biggest Mediterranean shell that "returned" to the coastal area on the Herceg Novi Riviera.

Palastura, which is noticed near the swimming pool, is a Mediterranean endemic and is highly endangered due to pollution of the sea, anchored ships, shoreline modification, marina construction, and it often happens that people who dive carry the shells home as a souvenir.

Eco Boka (Ecological Society of Boka Kotorska) addressed a letter to the Institute of Biology of the Sea in Kotor, dr Vesna Macic, who deals with the undersea flora, to visit the location in Baosici where the palastures were observed, and that in order to protect this marine sessile community (which firmly gathers at one place), initiates the necessary procedure for registering the community and its mapping.

They explain that due to the "increasing usurpation of the shore and the formation of artificial beaches, irreparable damage is inflicted to the submarine flora and fauna" and that therefore we should protect a rare, legally endangered species, which completely disappeared from the Herceg Novi Bay area and then re-formed in Baosici, but also in other parts of the coast.

Dr Macic noted that the existence of palastura (Pinna Nobilis) species protected by national legislation was established several meters from the coast - a decision on placing them under the protection of specific plant and animal species, as well as according to Barcelona Convention.

Dr Macic found that the seabed near the small pebble beach has unfavorable conditions for vagile (mobile) organisms that no longer find suitable ecological conditions for their nutrition, propagation and hiding from predators in such locations.

Also, in this part of the aquatorium, she encountered exotic plant submarine species, some of which, besides palastura, are still protected by law. She also noted a relatively dense settlement of brown algae Cystoseira barbata which is protected according to Barcelona Convention.

"This species is protected because it is a builder of coastal biocoenoses that can be compared to forests on land. In the spring and summer period, when it is the maximum growth of this algae, its talus can be as long as more than a dozen centimeters, in addition to creating organic substance and enriching water with oxygen, they are also a favorable habitat for many other organisms, especially for young crabs and fish. Unfortunately, this species (like many others) is endangered because it inhabits small depths and is therefore often under the direct influence of man due to the construction of infrastructure on the coast or the wastewater discharges," Dr Macic said.

She also warned that all works near this location should be carefully carried out as this alga is located very close to the coast.

According to the same legal documents, there is also a sea cucumber (Holothuria tubulosa) that is found on this site.

"With a more detailed survey of the subject location it is possible to determine the presence of some other protected species, but it certainly can be concluded that this is one of the few locations in the Herceg Novi municipality which is still not significantly degraded (dredged or paved), and it should remain as such," Dr Macic said.

Text by Slavica Kosic, on April 9th 2019, read more at Vijesti

April 10, 2019 - Turkish TAV could be a company that will take long-term leases at the airports in Podgorica and Tivat, CdM says.

09 April 2019 - To enrich the tourist offer, but also to support music bands in Montenegro, the Tourist Organisation of Budva Municipality is organising a Rock Band Competition on April 29, which will officially mark the beginning of this year's Carnival May Evenings in Budva.

From April 29 to May 5 the resort town of Budva will host the 17th International Festival - Carnival May Evenings, which will open the summer season in this coastal region of Montenegro. The annual spring carnival takes place at the walls of the Old Town of Budva and is one of the most important and most significant in this popular city of tourists from all over the world, located on the Adriatic coast.

From 29 April to 5 May, the squares in front of and within the Old Town of Budva will turn into a podium for lovers of good music and energy, thanks to a varied entertainment and music program prepared by the organisers for their fellow citizens and visitors.

At the beginning of Carnival May Evenings, rock bands from Montenegro will get the opportunity to show their skills to the audience and compete on the very first day of the event - April 29 at the Painters’ Square, starting at 9 pm.

The best bands, selected by the expert jury, will receive cash rewards: the band that takes the third place will receive a 300 EUR cash prize, the second-placed band will receive 500 EUR, while the winner will leave with 1000 EUR prize. More importantly, the first and second-ranked band will receive a unique opportunity to perform on April 30, as an opening act before famous bands which will come to Montenegro from all over the region.

The Tourist Organisation Budva, which organises the seven-day event, invites all tourists to visit the resort town of Budva in the first week of May, support the local rock bands and become a part of this great holiday and unforgettable events that will mark the beginning of the summer season of 2019 in the famous tourist city of Montenegro.

09 April 2019 - Prime Minister of Montenegro Duško Marković, who is currently in an official visit to Austria and Federal Chancellor of the Republic of Austria Sebastian Kurz met in Vienna to continue the dialogue on the current results in relations between Montenegro and Austria and further cooperation.

Marković and Kurz both agreed that the bilateral relations of the two countries are good and that they see opportunities for further development, especially in the area of the economy. Chancellor Kurz said that Austria fully supports the European aspirations of Montenegro, while Prime Minister Marković noted that his country highly values the engagement of Austria and Chancellor Kurz in the Western Balkans.

Noting Austria's good relations with the Western Balkans region, Chancellor Kurz pointed out excellent relations with Montenegro - an excellent political connection and enormous economic potential. "Austria is one of the biggest investors in Montenegro, and we also see here excellent potential and many opportunities for economic exchange but also for additional investments in Montenegro," Kurz said at a joint press conference held at the Federal Chancellery following official talks.

Federal Chancellor Kurz referred to the progress Montenegro has made in the field of European integration and assessed as a particularly important continuation of the strengthening of the rule of law, the fight against corruption and the battle for freedom of the press.

Prime Minister Duško Marković took this opportunity to thank the Chancellor for supporting Montenegro country and the entire Western Balkans region.  "It is a pleasure to be in Vienna in the first official visit of the Prime Minister of Montenegro to Austria after the renewal of our independence in 2006. After several meetings recently, I am pleased that we met here again and continued the dialogue on further cooperation and the current results in relations between Montenegro and Austria. Montenegro highly appreciates the role of Austria, as well as of the Chancellor personally, in the Western Balkans. First of all, we appreciate the continued commitment to consolidating the European perspective of Montenegro and the region, strongly expressed during Austrian presidency of the Council of the European Union last year, "Prime Minister Marković said at the press conference. 

Chancellor Kurz congratulated Prime Minister Marković on the positive development of Montenegro. "In Montenegro, there is almost 5% of economic growth last year and probably 4% this year. These are much larger numbers and very positive prospects for economic growth, which is optimistic for Montenegro and the region as well. Your economic growth is far above ours. Austria looks forward to success and supports Montenegro and the countries of the Western Balkans," the Austrian Chancellor emphasised. 

Chancellor Kurz said that many Montenegrins are living in Austria who make a significant contribution to Austrian society. He emphasised that Austria remains a reliable partner to Montenegro and the region, and thanked the Prime Minister for the visit and the possibility to exchange opinions. 

The talks were conducted after a solemn welcome which was organised with the highest state honour.

April 9, 2019 - Kotor cannot develop a sustainable tourism offer without the construction of a hotel and the related infrastructure said tourism engineer Ivo Županović for Radio Kotor.

According to him, there are collisions in the concept of a tourism product of Kotor when it comes to primary macro-level strategic documents. In the Master Plan - Montenegro's Tourism Development Strategy by 2020 and the Draft Special Spatial Plan for the Coastal Zone of Montenegro, Županović further stated, Kotor is recognised as the destination of small and boutique hotels and in the market offer as a destination for cultural tourism. The draft plan of the coastal area identifies Kotor as a destination of cruise tourism.

Asked what he considers necessary for the further development of the city, Županović said that he is defined by the master plan - Montenegro's tourism development strategy by 2020 within the Boka Kotorska cluster.

"In practice, although I consider it to be the most efficient aspect of the organisation of the tourist product of Montenegro, the cluster organisational structure has never lived, and in this context the tourist cluster of Boka Kotorska. On the other hand, there is a collision on the one that defines the Master Plan - the Tourism Development Strategy of Montenegro by 2020 and the Draft Special Spatial Plan for the Coastal Zone of Montenegro in certain parts when it comes to the treatment of Kotor's tourism product.

Therefore, taking into account the above facts, in order to be able to talk more seriously about the strategic directions of the development of the tourism product of Kotor, I think it is necessary to conceptualize the official tourism development strategy in Kotor with the action plan and measures that would be monitored and implemented," explained Županović .

In his view, in the context of economic sustainability, Kotor has considerably greater potentials than those currently used.

"In the context of relaxation of the urban core, a better connection of cruise tourism and cultural tourism is needed, in the sense of visiting the ramparts, but not just the ramparts but the complete cultural-historical and religious fundraiser in Kotor. In this context, a clear destination policy and synergy of all in the destination is needed. The mentioned synergy inevitably results in the creation of a series of formal and informal clusters, marketing networks and alliances at the destination level. I think that the development of the models of primarily diffuse hotels, Kotor, significantly extended the time spent on guests when it comes to cultural and entertainment events and even some sports events at the national level," Županović says.

He recalls that the integrated tourism product is a derivative of three components: natural and social resources, traffic accessibility and receptive factors. "In particular, I think that Kotor has extraordinary natural preconditions for the development of congress and business tourism, as well as sports tourism. However, Kotor does not have adequate receptive potentials for the development of congress tourism, which is simply unobtrusive for me," Županović said.

"As an example there is Opatija, a geographically small city, which has exploited its market capacities, not poisoning the ambience or sociological sustainability of the destination. There are over 500 business conferences - seminars, congresses, and training sessions in the city. In the overall structure of business meetings, congresses participate with almost 50%. But besides a series of small and boutique hotels, Opatija has the Ambassador Hotel as the crux of the development of congress tourism. The Ambassador has a congress hall for 525 participants, which, by its multifunctionality, can receive up to 1000 participants and six smaller halls," says Županović who thinks a similar hotel in Kotor should have been on the site of the former Fjord.

Due to climatic factors, Kotor can be a respectable destination for sports tourism. "In addition to the development of accommodation capacities, the development of sports infrastructure for the organisation of international events is indispensable, because if we do not have events of this type, sports competitions are reduced to the level of nationality, which limits the tourism development of Kotor in this sense."

Tourism engineer Ivo Županović particularly emphasises the importance of completing works on the winter pool. "The pool is the backbone of the development of Kotor's sport for decades, but it is also a significant social content for the city. I think the reputation of our athletes is inadequate or not used when it comes to branding Kotor as a destination for European champions," Zupanovic said.

Read the article in Montenegrin at www.radiokotor.info 

Rector of the University of Montenegro (UCG), professor Dr. Danilo Nikolic and Minister of Science Sanja Damjanovic, opened a co-working space for the needs of scholarship holders of doctoral studies today, in the building of Technical Faculties, equipped by the University of Montenegro in cooperation with the Ministry of Science. As stated from UCG, Nikolic emphasized the importance of this interactive space, in which, as he said, saw an investment of 100,000 euros, as it will establish a quality interaction among students of doctoral studies, their better acquaintance, exchange of knowledge, experience, as well as opening many possibilities.

"We have transformed the space of the reading room and library of technical faculties into this IT corner, which will be used by students of doctoral studies for a certain part of their research. The University of Montenegro plans to implement a number of similar projects this year. Beginning with the structure of the Central University Library reading room used by students of all levels, but also citizens. We finished last year's idea solution, the main project, and this year during the summer holiday we expect the realization of construction works. In addition, the University will allocate significant funds this year for the restoration of existing and the formation of new computer rooms in the faculties. We also plan to introduce the EDUROAM Wireless Academic Network that will enable Internet access for all students of our University," Nikolic said.

Minister Damjanovic said that funds for opening a new space were allocated through the Heric Project, which was supported by the Government of Montenegro. 

"Last year, about 750,000 euros were allocated for scholarships for doctoral research, and we received 19 scholarships, out of which 16 are from the University of Montenegro. This year we also plan to increase this critical mass to another 15 students, because we know that human resources are our biggest capital. The opening of the interactive space is a step further. The funds for opening the co-working space have been allocated through the Heric project, which was also supported by the Government of Montenegro, and I am sure that in the future we will have even more such spaces, especially since we will soon open, together with the University of Montenegro, a Science and Technology Park, which will be a multipurpose space from which not only creative ideas will be built, but also the values that are the needs of our society," said the Minister of Science.

For more information, please follow TMNs dedicated page

Text by Vijesti online, on April 8th 2019, read more at Vijesti

Students from the Elementary School "Marko Nuculovic" from Ulcinj, Irena Selcanin, Nora Selcanin and Anabela Radulovic, won the third place at the regional competition in programming by pocket computer micro: bits, which was organized by the British Council at the Digital Summit of the countries of the Western Balkans. Led by the teacher Alfredo Marinkovic, they created the project "Smart parking" - an automated system that detects the number of empty places and opens ramps and signals when the parking is full. Participants were asked to make a solution with the help of a pocket computer micro: bit that would be a response to a real problem.

"The idea for this project originated from where we live because there is no parking in our city that operates according to this principle. The ramp rises even though there are no vacant seats, so the drivers circle two or three times inside the parking lot. We have programmed that the micro: bits show the number of vacancies before the ramp itself, so the drivers immediately get the information they need," explains Irena Selcanin, a 9th-grade elementary school student from OS "Marko Nuculovic". 

At the regional programming competition, held within the British Council project "Schools for the 21st Century", students from 13 primary schools throughout the region participated. 

"Today we had the opportunity to see the projects of the pupils who were involved in the pilot phase of the program implemented in the previous two years. Thanks to the £10 million investment of the British government, now all the schools in the Western Balkans will have their own micro: bit devices. In this way, the British Council will enable millions of students to acquire new digital skills and basics of programming required by the modern labor market," said Vanja Madzgalj, director of the British Council in Montenegro. In evaluating the works, the jury took into account the critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as the teamwork and programming skills.

"A smart house, parking sensors, a timer for medicines are just some of the projects that kids showed today as possibilities of working with the micro: bit. The biggest benefit of this device is that technology is no longer present only in STEM cases, but it also has applications in language learning, music, history, and geography," said Magda Wood, president of the jury and head of the micro: bit foundation study.

"We are very proud that together with the British Council we work on the program "Schools for the 21st Century". This is our biggest international project that incorporates students from the Western Balkans into the same platform that is applied in the top ten countries in mathematics and science," she added. The stand with the exhibited works of the primary school students from Montenegro was also visited by the Minister of Education Damir Sehovic.

"The most difficult is to change rooted stereotypes, and we need a new system where students will not memorize the material, but where innovation will be encouraged. One of the ways to change the concept of teaching is the digitalization of education. We are grateful to the British Council because now all schools will have micro: bit pocket computers as part of the project "Schools for the 21st Century." Pilot experience is great, and micro: bit coding clubs are expanding. I appreciate that Great Britain has recognized that this project is needed for everyone and what enters our country," said Sehovic.

The three-year program "Schools for the 21st Century" in Serbia and across the Western Balkans is being implemented by the British Council, and in our country is realized in cooperation with the Ministry of Education. It will cover all primary schools in all cities.

For more information, please follow TMNs dedicated page

Text by Vijesti online, on April 8th 2019, read more at Vijesti

April 9, 2019 - Pianist Yuja Wang and clarinettist Andreas Ottensamer will perform at the XVIII KotorArt Don Branko's Music Days within two concerts, on 7 August in Luštica Bay in Tivat and 9 August in the Church of St. Spirit in Kotor. 

Tickets for these concerts, named 'The Blue Hour Magic', are on pre-sale with a limited quantity and at discounted prices at kotorart.me and Tobacco S Press kiosks.

At the 16th International Scientific Conference of the Montenegrin Sports Academy, held in Dubrovnik from April 4^th to 7^th, Dasha Pruš, from the University of Ljubljana, was named the best young scientist, and Rozelin Okeh, from the University of Newfoundland, Canada, for the best woman in science.

The conference, which UNESCO's International Council for Sports Science and Physical Education declared as one of the most significant sports events for 2019, gathered 223 delegates from 42 countries, while 367 authors and co-authors signed the scientific works.

In addition to the Montenegrin Sports Academy, the organizers of the conference are the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education from Niksic and 12 partner universities from the EU and the region.

"The undivided opinion of the participants and the organizer of the conference is that the conference justified all expectations and that the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education and the Montenegrin Sports Academy made an additional step in the promotion of sports science and its significance, but also in linking the scientific and research community of the participating countries," said the chairman of the conference, prof. Dr Dusko Bjelica.

The novelty of this year's conference is the CEEPUS training school "How to write and publish scientific work in the field of sports science", which was followed by 32 postgraduates and doctoral students. They had the opportunity to participate in the discussions led by eminent regional and world scientists and researchers in the field of sports, social, humanistic and medical sciences. "A great acknowledgement to this conference is the open possibility of holding the next conference in France because the French University, Côte d'Azur, expressed interest for the next conference to be held in Nice, Antibes," the organizers said.

This is the first conference organized outside of Montenegro. Previous conferences were held in Bar, Kotor, Tivat, Herceg Novi, Podgorica and Budva. Scientific papers from the conference will be published in the magazines Sport Mont, the Montenegrin Journal of Sports Science and Medicine and the Journal of Anthropology of Sport and Physical Education, which are indexed in prestigious world-wide international databases.

For more information, please follow TMNs dedicated page

Text by Svetlana Mandic, on April 8th 2019, read more at Vijesti