February 14, 2019 - Kamenari in Boka Bay today is known primarily as the place where daily ferries take thousands of cars and passengers to the other coast of the bay. Situated along the coast of about 400 meters, the ambiance of the Kamenari is the one of very few along our coast, which enjoys the protection as a cultural landscape of exceptional characteristics. The history of this small place is vibrant with facts that could be proud and much larger communities. Famous for educated and skillful locals, the location of the first post office and first public transport in Montenegro hires a lot of interesting details of the productive life of this small place, once proud on bakeries, theatre, but first of all, stones to be thanked for its name.

The ferry service in Kamenari started in 1901 with the families of Milosevic and Sekulovic. Djuro Milosevic was the father of the famous bacteriologist, world expert Dr. Simo Milosevic, at which Igalo Institute today carries the name. 

Kamenari, today a village that we know first of all by ferry transport, was a significant traffic, commercial, service, and crafts center in Boka Bay in the 19th century.

It was in Kamenari that in 1899 the founding shareholders' assembly "Bokeljski Omnibus", the first company for road transport in Boka Bay, which, after obtaining a concession from the Austrian authorities, held the Kamenari-Herceg Novi line. "The stockholders were the distinguished citizens of Boka Bay, 33 of them. Transport was carried out at that time by horses. It is interesting that for this Omnibus, which could have received 25 people, horses from Pesta were procured and that such omnibus worked in Dubrovnik as well since 1899," explains Katuric.

Bokeljski Omnibus, the first road transport company of Montenegro

 

 

The "Bokeljski Omnibus" and Kamenari will mark this year 120 years since its foundation, the predecessor of road transport companies, not only in Boka but also throughout Montenegro and beyond.

Kamenari, Copyright: radio Herceg Novi

Tomo Katuric, private photo collection

 

Sometimes Tomo Katuric, as well as his ancestors, who lived in Boka since 1697, carried the name of Boka Bay to the world seas, engaged as a ship captain, predominantly on the ships of the former Jugooceania Kotor. Today, the name Kamenari, Herceg Novi, Boka Bay and Montenegro he reports to all meridians as one of the most admired philatelies in the world.

The wreath of stone houses in Kamenari was built in the majority of 17-19 years, at the time of the greatest glory and power of the Boka nautical.

Kamenari in the past

 

"Thanks to maritime and distant journeys, people built beautiful stone houses. But the point was not just to bring money here and build. With money, something much more significant, more valuable, and more beautiful came, which is a world culture. That is why Boka still today, despite all the odds, at an excellent cultural level. I own an 1860 letter from sailing ship Ilirico. Out of 14 crew members, eleven signed with their full names, only three couldn't write. So it was not just the captain who was literate, but a sailor and almost all other members of the crew. And that was all people from Donja Lastva, Stoliv, Kamenari, Perast, Risan. People from our region have been mostly literate in the 19th century, " says Captain Tomo Katuric.

13 February 2019 - On the occasion of the official opening of the Kolašin 1600 Ski Resort on Saturday, February 16, the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro (NTO) will organise free transport to this ski centre as well as an entertainment program.

"The Ministry and the NTO have provided free ski pass, food, and drink tasting, as well as a rich entertainment program for all visitors to the ski centre on the day of its official opening," the NTO said in a statement. Free transport, in cooperation with local tourist organisations and the Capital City, will be organized from Podgorica, Bar, Budva and Herceg Novi. All interested citizens can obtain transport information by dialling 0 8000 1300 – Call Centre of Montenegro (all calls to this number are free of charge).

The representatives of the NTO also stated that the special attraction of the event will be the preparation and tasting of Montenegrin traditional meal – kačamak.

The event will include a giant slalom race at 600 meters, which will be opened by the celebrated Yugoslav skier and world champion, Bojan Križaj.

Dj MR Jools and DJ Shar will be in charge of the atmosphere at the ski resort, and the event will also include concerts of the local band Crveno i Crno and the singer Sergej Cetković.

"The entertainment will continue on the city square with concerts, defile majorettes and fireworks. Music stars Anita Popović and Danijel Alibabić will hold concerts at the city square, "the statement concludes.

The completion of the ski centre in Kolašin will turn this city into a serious winter destination in Europe. Since the project is complete, Mount Bjelasica now has 250 km of ski slopes! The infrastructure of the Kolašin 1600 Ski Centre, with accompanying equipment, includes a total of 4,6 kilometres of ski slopes, with one six-seater lift installed. The contractor for the cableway at the Kolašin 1600 site is the Austrian company - Doppelmayr, the world's leading manufacturer of ropeways, cable cars, and ski lifts.

With the completion of works on the 1600 location, Montenegro got a new ski resort owned by the state. By building the access road, infrastructure and cableway, the state has created conditions for attracting investors who will build more accommodation capacities and further develop the ski centre.

13 February 2019 - The Secretariat for Culture and Sports of the Capital City and the Sport for All Association from Podgorica are organising a sports and recreational event Citizens of Podgorica on the Snow. The event begins on Saturday, February 16, when the official opening of the ski resort Kolašin 1600 on Mount Bjelasica is planned. Ski pass for all resort visitors will be free on that day.

Although earlier this winter the Capital of Montenegro welcomed white snowflakes, the locals from Podgorica still have to turn to ski resorts in the cities of the North to enjoy an adventure on the snow. The event Citizens of Podgorica on the Snow provides people from Podgorica a favourable opportunity to visit ski resort Kolašin 1600 and experience the winter magic.

The Association Sport for All is planning for the manifestation to last through February and March, every Saturday, depending on weather conditions. For this weekend, they provided free transportation by bus from Podgorica to ski resort Kolašin 1600 on Bjelasica and back, while the ski pass will be free because of the official opening of the resort. In the future weekends, the transport will still be free, and the locals from Podgorica will enjoy discounts related to ski pass and equipment rental.

The Association Sport for All Podgorica is a member of the Montenegrin Association Sport for All. The local association includes over twenty sports associations from the territory of the Capital City and the city municipalities of Tuzi and Golubovci. The program goals of the association are realised with the cooperation of the Secretariat for Culture and Sports of the Capital City.

Program cooperation within the Capital city has been established with: Association of Pensioners of Podgorica, Children's Association of Podgorica, PI Elementary Schools in Podgorica, Union for School Sports of Montenegro and many sports and business organisations.

The Association is a participant and organizer of sports and recreational events in the Capital City, the State and international events in the field of sports recreation.

13 February 2019 - North Atlantic Treaty Organization Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, in Brussels said it is encouraging the Alliance has members such as Montenegro is, and emphasized that NATO enlargement within the Western Balkans has strengthened the Alliance.

“North Atlantic Treaty Organization enlargement within the Western Balkans strengthened the Alliance, and I am glad to see that. Also, NATO enlargement enabled stabilization of the Western Balkans and encouraged many countries to join the Alliance, such as Montenegro did, as well as North Macedonia which is to join NATO soon,” noted Jens Stoltenberg.

“There are numerous challenges and issues, but it’s encouraging to have Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, Montenegro and soon north Macedonia as our member states,” concluded NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg.

Stoltenberg is looking forward to meeting NATO defense ministers tomorrow, including Montenegro defense minister, Predrag Bošković.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Srđan Darmanović is currently on his visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, and he also spoke at the Aspen Institute in Berlin on the topic of Montenegro's European Union and NATO integration.

"The past year was very successful for the Western Balkans in terms of integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures," the Minister said, pointing out that the only stable and safe Western Balkans contributes to the sustainability of Europe's development and security architecture. 

He pointed to the need and importance of a strong presence of the European Union and the Alliance in the region as key drivers of reform processes. 

Furthermore, Minister Darmanović met in the Bundestag with Chairman of the Committee of EU Affairs Gunther Krichbaum, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Norbert Röttgen, as well as members of the Parliamentary Group for South East Europe. 

13 February 2019 - On the second day of his visit to the Federal Republic of Germany, Minister of Foreign Affairs Srđan Darmanović spoke at the Aspen Institute in Berlin on the topic of Montenegro's European Union and NATO integration.

"The past year was very successful for the Western Balkans in terms of integration into European and Euro-Atlantic structures," the Minister said, pointing out that the only stable and safe Western Balkans contributes to the sustainability of Europe's development and security architecture. 

He pointed to the need and importance of a strong presence of the European Union and the Alliance in the region as key drivers of reform processes. 

Furthermore, Minister Darmanović met in the Bundestag with Chairman of the Committee of EU Affairs Gunther Krichbaum, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Norbert Röttgen, as well as members of the Parliamentary Group for South East Europe. 

The meetings expressed interest in continuing cooperation with the Bundestag. The Minister also pointed to a full commitment to reforms in key areas. 

Minister Darmanović encouraged further intensification of parliamentary cooperation between the two countries.

We remind you that during the first day of his visit, Minister Darmanović met with his German counterpart Heiko Maas.

"Montenegro is grateful to the Federal Republic of Germany for continuing assistance to the fulfillment of our strategic foreign policy priorities - full membership in NATO and progress in the process of EU accession," Minister Darmanović said, adding that Montenegro's commitment to meeting the Alliance's key tasks and the criteria for membership in the EU is unquestionable.

Minister Darmanović also talked with Foreign Policy Adviser to the Federal Chancellor Jan Hecker. The Minister expressed his belief that the future of the Western Balkans is in the EU, and stressed that the success of the enlargement policy is the basis of the long-term stability and security of the region. Both sides pointed out the importance of the European integration process for the further development of the countries of the Western Balkans.

12 February 2019 - Taking part in this year’s European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) programme in Geneva will be a great honor, pleasure, but also children’s dreams coming true, said the students who went through the selection of the Ministry of Science. Although there is still one more step, the selection of the Commission of CERN, the students are not worried at all, having in mind the so far experience of Montenegrin candidates.

Four Montenegrin students, chosen by the Commission of the Ministry of Science, will have the opportunity to take part in this year’s summer program of the European Organization for Nuclear Research in Geneva, intended for the students of physics and engineering sciences.

Dragan Krstajić, Tamara Ninković, Katarina Milačić and Miloš Manojlović had that honor to take part in the everyday work of CERN during the summer camp and visit the labs and facilities.

Manojlović, who is in his fourth year of studies at the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, says he did not expect that he will be selected.

“Honestly, I did not expect it. The competition was strong and I was aware of that. Of course, I was very happy and honored to find out that I was among the four selected candidates,” said Manojlović.

In 2018, he went to international school for nuclear methods for environment and natural sciences in Budva.  He feels so honored to be able to visit laboratories of CERN.

“The fact that you are a physician is an advantage right at the beginning. CERN lab is intended primarily for the research in the domain of physics of elementary particles. My engagement outside the lectures, was directly related to this field and other fields that are subject of interest of CERN”, says Manojlović.

However, one more obstacle stands on their way to Geneva. It s the final selection, organized by the representatives of this prestigious science and research institution. Manojlović believes that all four candidates will be successful. If that happens, Manojlović will focus on learning and improving, but he will also meet new people and make new friendships.

Tamara Ninković thinks that her average grades during the studies determined her selection. She is the student of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Podgorica. This opportunity was her childhood dream. She believes that this program will enable her to acquaint with the most recent achievements in science. She also wants to be involved in tackling the scientific challenges of the 21^st century.

12 February 2019 - By the end of the next year, Podgorica will be richer for an exclusive condo hotel and residential complex, Le Grand Hotel Podgorica, with a total of 348 residential units.

As published on the web pages of the Turkish Company Erka Group, which is leading this project, their daughter-company, Erka Invest Montenegro, in cooperation with the Montenegrin architecture company Ing-invest, started the construction of the hotel in Zabjelo on 10 January. The hotel has five stars and a total area of 27.000 square meters. The hotel itself will have 270 residential units, 72 apartments, and 12 exclusive apartments. In addition, premier apartments and presidential apartments are in the offer.

“Design of the Le Grand Hotel is mainly inspired by French architecture, especially by Opera House in Paris. Even the tiniest details were taken into account so that this hotel completely satisfies the standards of a five-star hotel. The hotel will have a world-class spa enter, fitness center, shopping zone and a night club,” reads the project documentation.

As the former ambassador of Turkey said last year, our state has very favorable investment conditions and, therefore, Turkish investors have shown the interest in building the aqua park, a mall and a sports center in Podgorica.

The key people in the Board of Directors of Erka Group are Mehmet Veysi Erdoğan, the president, and Murat Erdoğan, the deputy president. They have been into construction for more than 20 years and they own 10 companies that operate in Asia, Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Turkey. So far, they have completed 65 projects in five states.

Source: Cafe del Montenegro

In the month of three defeats in four games (two in the European and one in the ABA league), Buducnost Voli basketball players have the chance to qualify for the first trophy of the season.

They are the hosts of the final tournament of the Cup of Montenegro, and will play against the main competitor, Mornar, in the semi-finals.

"The Cup is such a competition that always carries more uncertainty than any other competition, simply because it is to be or not to be in one game. Our commitment as a club and me as a coach is to confirm that we are, at this moment, the best club in Montenegro, which has to be confirmed on the court as well. We need to play well and appropriate to such a competition, to give our best to get to the trophy," coach Jasmin Repesa said. In addition to playing at home, in Buducnost’s favor is their quality.  Since only three foreigners can play, Repesa will have to decide by Friday whom he will send to the stands out of the Americans Norris Cole, Earl and Coty Clarke, James Bel, the Frenchman Edwin Jackson and Nemanja Gordic (Bosnia and Herzegovina).

If there are no unexpected events, the Croatian expert will not be able to count on Georgian Goga Bitadze, who hurt his ankle against Partizan. Repesa, therefore, has at his disposal a number of high-quality Montenegrin players, Suad and Sead Sehovic, Filip Barovic, Petar Popovic, Danilo Nikolic.

"Bitadze's injury is such that it will be difficult for him to play the Cup. I think it would be inappropriate to force it because of the great obligations that are waiting for us later. However, I am still waiting for official confirmation regarding his current state of fitness, recovery length and all that that can affect such an injury. In the last period, we had a lot of problems with the flu, many players missed one or two days of training, and the drop in the quality was visible. A stabilization program is in progress, hopefully, by Friday we will succeed to put each player in their places," added Repesa.

Specialized basketball website Sportando yesterday sent Blagota Sekulic to Buducnost Voli, but the Montenegrin representative rejected that option. Now, supposedly, as Sportando reports, the wish of the team from Podgorica is Milko Bjelica, the wing center, but the final word still needs to be given.

The final deadline for the registration is Friday. "As for new players, we have not signed a contract at this point, and I think the timing is too short for a player to get in the game system and adjust to playing in the Cup, no matter who he is," concluded Repesa. The match Buducnost - Mornar is on Friday night at 8 p.m. Lovcen and Sutjeska will play at 5 p.m. The final in "Moraca" is scheduled on Saturday at 7 p.m.

Text by Sasa Joncic, on February 13th 2019, read more at Vijesti

The famous low-cost airline Norwegian Air Shuttle, in the upcoming summer IATA season, added another line from Scandinavia to Montenegro. This is the new Helsinki-Tivat line on which Norwegian will fly once a week, every Tuesday starting from April 16th. From the capital of Finland to Tivat, Norwegian will fly with a Boeing B 737-800 aircraft. In addition to this, during the upcoming summer season for Tivat, Norwegian will fly from Oslo, as well, because the seasonal line for the capital of Norway from our coastal airport has operated for a couple of years.

The biggest air carrier in Europe - German national airline Lufthansa will fly to Tivat Airport from April 13th. They will fly twice a week from Germany to Tivat, on Saturdays from Munich, and on Sundays from Frankfurt. Lufthansa put tickets on sale for its new lines from Germany to Montenegro, where aircraft type Air-type A-319 will operate. The arrival of Lufthansa to Montenegro, which is one of the strongest so-called legacy carriers in the world is of paramount importance for the Airports of Montenegro (ACG) and our tourism industry in general.

ACG firstly succeeded in bringing a member of the Lufthansa group to Tivat airport last summer, the Belgian national company Brussels Airlines, and now the prestigious German airline.

Text by Sinisa Lukovic, on February 12th 2019, read more at Vijesti

At the Sports Center Ada in Pljevlja, a Fly-fishing academy was held, gathering about 40 interested fishermen from Pljevlja. Fly fishing techniques were presented to them, through theoretical lectures on execution and equipment for this type of sports fishing, the basis for making bait, as well as the basics of casting in fly fishing.

The lecturers were Montenegrin fly fishing representatives, as well as bait binders Ivica Rajkovic, Radule Micovic, Bogdan Markovic, Radovan Krkovic and Petar Vucinic.

The organizers of the Fly-fishing Academy donated a fishing rod to Daris Dzidic, the youngest participant from Pljevalja, and thank-you notes to all the participants.

The founders of the Fly-fishing Academy are SRK "Kolašin", SRFFK "Ravnjak", SRK "Lim" and SRFFK "Maniro". The Academy was organized in cooperation with SRK "Lipljen", which hosted this event.

Fly fishing is part of the sportiest fishing technique, which is most closely related to the knowledge of nature and events in and on the water, and entomology as a science.

From SRK "Lipljen" they said that special attention would be devoted to this technique in the forthcoming period, through the promotion of the "Catch and Let go" motto and through the formation of Fly-fishing hunting area in Rabitlje.

Text by Goran Malidzan, on February 12th 2019, read more at Vijesti