01 February 2019 - Culture Minister Aleksandar Bogdanović met with the President of the National Research Council of Italy, Massimo Inguscio, during his official visit to the Republic of Italy. 

On that occasion, Minister Bogdanović expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation with the National Research Council of Italy, which resulted in substantial progress on archaeological and other research in the area of Duklja in Podgorica. 

During the conversation, which was focused on the "Twinning Program", has been confirmed strong support to Montenegro in the process of preservation, protection, and valorization of cultural assets. 

President Inguscio presented the mechanisms and possibilities of joining the programs of the European Research Institute for Heritage Science and the Digital Research Infrastructure for the Arts and Humanities. Interlocutors estimated that this represents a strong potential for improving all segments in the protection and valorization of cultural heritage in Montenegro. 

Minister Bogdanović especially emphasised the activities on the development of the map of Duklja in QGIS and the continuation of activities on the 3D reconstruction of facilities. He also pointed out the need for cooperation in the part of laser monitoring of the static stability of cultural property objects, with a particular emphasis on overcoming the problem of rehabilitation of the Kotor ramparts. It was concluded that through the direct communication and cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the National Research Council of Italy, we are looking at the possibilities of realization of the seismic monitoring project and the risk of immovable cultural property, which would be an important prerequisite for better preservation of the rich cultural heritage of Montenegro. 

During his official visit to Italy, Minister Bogdanović met with the Director General of the International Center for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, Weber Ndoro. 

The interlocutors emphasised extremely high quality and meaningful interinstitutional cooperation and expressed readiness to continue with strengthening the partnership through the transfer of knowledge and training in deficient areas for experts in Montenegro. 

Minister Bogdanović also met with the President of the Association AICI (Associazione delle istituzioni di cultura italiane), Valdo Spini. 

Minister Bogdanović and the president of the AICI Association noted that, given the fact that the association is represents the affiliation of 108 institutions of culture in Italy, there is a possibility of strong inter-institutional cooperation, through the organisation of training in the field of protection and preservation of cultural property related to the management of urban units, in areas where Montenegro has a lack of knowledge.

President Spini has invited Minister Bogdanović to take part in the next conference, organized by the Association of AICI, which will be held in Florence. 

Minister Bodganović was also a guest of the National Museum of Art of the 21st Century, where he talked with the Executive Director Pietro Barrera about the possibilities of cooperation. 

On this occasion, they expressed readiness to enable Montenegrin artists from the field of contemporary art to exhibit in this significant Museum, which would be a powerful incentive for their further affirmation.

At the end of the visit, the Minister visited the gallery Chiostro del Bramante as a place where it would be important to organise a presentation of the creativity of Montenegrin artists.

The visit of the Minister of Culture Aleksandar Bogdanović is the result of the successful and meaningful cooperation of the two countries. Working meetings with Italian and international institutions were attended by the Montenegrin Ambassador in Italy Sanja Vlahović and the Director of the National Museum Anastazija Miranović.

02 February 2019 - What could be more romantic than the small, pugnacious kingdom of fierce fighters, with its ancient temperate rainforests, bleakly beautiful mountains and fjord-like coastline of bays, inlets and emerald waters?

It’s an epic landscape accompanied by more history than any country the size of Montenegro has a right to. For centuries, it was the only Balkan state to hold out against the mighty Ottoman Empire, and although its historic capital Cetinje was sacked by Ottomans three times (in 1623, 1687 and 1712), Montenegro was never ruled by them.

Archaeologists have found evidence of agriculture, pottery, and copper smelting dating back to 7000 BM and by 4000 BC trade links with Europe had been established. These first Illyrian or early Balkan tribes were joined by Celts and later Romans, who conquered the region in 9 AD. After the fall of Rome, Montenegro became part of the Byzantine Empire, and Slavs from Poland and the Baltic joined its original inhabitants.

In 1041, the Serbian warlord Stefan Vojislav became King Vojislav after he won independence from Byzantium at the Battle of Bar. His kingdom of Duklja, which included most of Montenegro, was superseded by that of Stefan Prvovjenčani, the founder of a Serb dynasty which by 1355 ruled over a territory that included the majority of the modern Balkans.

By 1483, the Ottomans had conquered all of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Montenegro’s ruling Crnojević dynasty decided to move their capital to the more easily defended mountain fastness of Cetinje, having agreed a defensive alliance with Venice in 1455.

Fascinatingly, from 1516, for the next 355 years, Montenegro was ruled by celibate prince-bishops called “vladika”. The last of the Crnojevićs married a Venetian and entrusted the defence of Montenegro to the first of them, Cetinje’s Orthodox bishop. After that, succession passed from uncle to nephew, with Montenegro’s warrior-priests fighting a guerrilla war against the Ottomans and winning formal independence in 1799. The greatest of them, and the father of modern Montenegro was Petar II Petrović Njegoš, who created a central government, judiciary and police force and still found time to compose an epic poem, The Mountain Wreath, celebrating Montenegrin culture and values.

After Petar’s nephew was assassinated, he was eventually succeeded by Prince Nikola Petrović, or Nicholas I. In portraits, he appears in a national costume of richly coloured sash, coat of duck-egg blue, and black cap adorned with the Montenegrin crest; armed with a sword and laden with medals, he looks part paterfamilias, part Balkan chieftain. His wife Milena gave birth to three sons and nine daughters, five of whom married into Russian, Serbian and Italian royal families, earning him the nickname “the father-in-law of Europe”.

This canter through Montenegrin history can’t possibly do justice to its complexity. We hardly mentioned the famous defeat of Napoleon in Kotor, let alone the birth of modern Yugoslavia, and much more. But without a sense of Montenegro’s rich past, anyone’s sightseeing would be a much poorer experience.

Source: Luštica Magazine

01 February 2019 - The environmental organisation NGO Ozon called on the local governments of Nikšić and Danilovgrad Municipalities and the Podgorica Capital to join the government in the process of legal protection of the Zeta River area.

"We believe that, in accordance with great importance of the Zeta River with its tributaries and hydrological phenomena, the specifics of its upper and lower flow and territorial jurisdiction of local administrations, we need a strategic recognition of the importance of this river for the further development of local communities, but also of the potential for the national branding of Montenegro as an ecological state, i.e. the entire social prosperity," the statement said.

NGO Ozon proposes that three municipalities adopt a joint Resolution for the protection of the Zeta River, in order to allow the public to be involved in this initiative, and that the Government of Montenegro, through the competent institutions, the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, The Nature Protection Agency and the Environment Agency open a public debate in order to examine all the relevant facts through the argumentative discussion. Keeping in mind the fact that the significance of the Zeta River in the aspect of an ecosystem is already recognized in national and local strategic documents, the representatives of this movement believe that the protection of this river at the international level is also important in the context of European integration and the success of the negotiations in Chapter 27. This step, they conclude, is another tool for the joint resolution of the local government administrations which should take part in this initiative.

The representatives of the Environmental Movement NGO Ozon announced that it will begin with the action of collecting citizen support for the protection of the Zeta River, and announced the implementation of this initiative on a series of thematic events, "in order to create an incentive environment for public argumentative discussion and active citizen participation in the decision making process, "the statement said. They also invited all interested parties to support this civic initiative.

The NGO Ozon was founded with a mission to contribute to improving the quality of life and the environment, as well as protecting the public interest through active participation in the decision-making process, public advocacy, and education of various target groups from all segments of the society.

01 February 2019 - The diverse tourist offer of Montenegrin national parks attracted the attention of many visitors during the 30th Alpe-Adria – International Fair for Green Active Tourism, Camping, and Caravanning.

Tourists from Slovenia are known for their love for nature, undiscovered areas, hiking and other experiences in the field of active green tourism, which are included in the offer of national parks in Montenegro. This is especially important because many tourists who want to visit Montenegro always have the feeling that Montenegro can offer just the sea and the sun. The Alpe-Adria Fair was an excellent opportunity for the organisation National Parks of Montenegro to present a different, much more exciting and diverse tourist offer of Montenegro.

Alpe-Adria – International Fair for Green Active Tourism, Camping and Caravanning is a show for travellers, athletes, alpinists, hikers, active recreational participants, joggers, cyclists, nature adrenaline sports fans and similar. This year, as a novelty, the fair also included contents for camping and caravanning enthusiasts.

Tourists from Slovenia have an excellent opportunity to use weekend arrangements in Montenegro. There is a direct airline between Podgorica and Ljubljana on a daily basis. The flight is not long and the embassy of Montenegro to Slovenia is putting considerable effort into reducing the cost of airline tickets. “The negotiating process with tourist agencies from Slovenia which are working on many different arrangements is currently in process, "said the Ambassador of Montenegro to Slovenia, Vujica Lazović.

The organisation, National Parks of Montenegro, had a unique opportunity to present virtual walks through Montenegrin national parks, which allow visitors to the Visitor Centres to experience some of the beauty and activities in nature and learn about the many values of protected areas and tourist offer. This opportunity, which is granted before actually visiting and experiencing the parks in person, is very valuable. During the Fair, travel agencies and tour operators were most interested in rafting, kayaking, biking and hiking. Regarding individual fair visitors, they were mainly interested in mountain tourism; Montenegrin coast and the possibility of an active holiday where biking, hiking, hiking and camping prevail.

"Aside from the promotion of active tourism and tourist offer of National Parks of Montenegro, the fair appearance in Slovenia was also a good opportunity to exchange experiences and ideas, and to establish cooperation with tour operators from the Alpine-Adriatic region," concluded the director of the public enterprise NPM, Elvir Klica.

A frozen Plavsko Lake located under the beautiful massifs of Prokletije will take your breath away, and you can be sure of it just by looking at the photos.

PHOTO: Sena Vatić

Generations of citizens in Plav have grown alongside the lake, enjoying all the blessings of this mountain gem and the largest ice-lake in Montenegro, over two kilometers long and one kilometer wide.

PHOTO: Sena Vatić

PHOTO: Sead Jasavić

The beauties of the lake every year attract many tourists, whether they walk along the paths around the lake and the surrounding mountain ranges, swim in the clear lake waters or simply enjoy the clean air and the scenery that are unique because of their beauty.

In the winter, the lake is covered with ice, and the citizens of Plav say that in the extremely harsh winters a thick layer of ice is created, one they can pass over by car.

Text by CdM, on January 30th 2019, read more at CdM

Immediately before the start of the match with Indiana, one hour after midnight, Nikola Vučević found out that he became an All-Star Player. The lights of the basketball stage turned to the Montenegrin ace, who, as the moment when the leaders of the club Joel Glass and George Galante told him the news, looked at his parents in the stands and sent them a sign: "I succeeded".

His teammates and coach Clifford were the first to congratulate him, and after the game he congratulated them.

"It's clear that I've succeeded, but my team helped me. I started the season well, and the teammates and coaches have pushed me forward every day to play even better. As much as this is an individual prize, it is also for the team. I'm proud to represent the whole organization and my teammates," said Vučević.

In the first match as All-Star player, he scored 17 points and had 10 rebounds, and Orlando defeated Indiana 107:100.

"A million emotions have passed through me, but I'm glad it was all known before the start. I could focus on playing well, and the win by my team made this night even more special."

 Vučević was chosen by coaches from NBA clubs.

"I think this is very important because they are the ones you play against every night and know how much you can perform. Their choice means a lot to me," he said.

After the match, his teammates prepared a surprise in the dressing room - cold water and ice welcomed their All-Star guy.

"It was a bit cold, but I survived, and their joy for me shows what kind of relationship there is between us," said the 28-year-old player from Bar.

"He is my friend the best Center of the East. I'm happy for him," said Evan Fournier.

Text by Vijesti sport, on February 1st, 2019, read more at Vijesti 

The Italian polyvalent artist - musician, screenwriter and artist, Luca Tito Faraci will be a guest at the Fourth Comic book Weekend Festival organized by Herceg Novi Comic festival (HSF) in collaboration with the Italian Embassy and JUK Herceg Fest, and within this year's jubilee 50th Edition of Mimosa Festival.

This year's comic weekend will be held from February 14^th to 16^th and is dedicated to the Italian cultural strip phenomenon Tex Willer, who celebrates 70 years.

From 2007 until today, he has made several dozens of issues, as well as two maxi editions, one of the most famous comic book heroes - legendary Tex, and beside him, another guest at the comics weekend is the great Italian artist Walter Venturi. This phenomenal artist was the guest of the 12th edition of Herceg Novi Comic festival held last year in September, and since 2012 works for the publishing house Bonelli Editori which also publishes Tex.

Guests of the Fourth Comics weekend are also the representatives of Belgrade publishing house “Veseli Četvrtak” (Merry Thursday), representatives of Bonelli for the local market, who will give a lecture on the history and success of the comic Tex Willer phenomenon in these areas, while Tito Faraci as one of the best experts on Tex will be given a general lecture on the cult ranger and the adventures of this comic hero for 70 years.

The Comic Weekend will begin on Thursday, February 14^th at 7 pm, with the opening of the 70th anniversary Tex Willer exhibition at the lobby of Dvorana Park, where the guests from Italy will present the works. The next two days, Dvorana Park, the City Café, Nikola Đurković Square, the HSF comic workshop will hold lectures, workshops with young artists and students from Herceg Novi, all accompanied by standard drawings for fans, comic books exchange stock and famous HSF parties.

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

February 1, 2019 - Zoran Nikolic from Prcanj is one of the most famous Bokelian photographers whose landscapes of Boka Bay stop the breath of the audience from all meridians. This lover of nature and humans records the game of light and shadow on the slopes of the rugged mountains, and their reflection on the sea surface with a lot of patience and knowledge. As he said, he records the beauty of which we cannot escape in Boka Bay, wanting to awaken a beautiful feeling in people. He is entirely successful in this, often answering the question of where this "area of the miracle of beauty" is, as the poet Frano Alfirevic characterized Boka Bay in the 19th century.

Prcanj, photo by Zoran Nikolic

 

In Zoran's photographs, Boka is still a place of the unique cultural landscape, fascinating natural contrasts, modest people, who, in harmony, live in stone palaces and small houses along its coastline, go fishing, celebrate their festivities, and celebrate life.

Detail of wooden boat, photo by Zoran Nikolic

 

"I own a wooden boat my parents bought 49 years ago. Our family boat has given us much love and beautiful memories. She is an integral part of our family if I can say so. When I moved from Sarajevo to Kotor in 1992, I took care of that boat. It is important to me that she exists today. It is in excellent condition, sailing, and it does not matter to me how much it costs," says Zoran about his wooden boat, one of the few still decorating our sea and shore. It is a costly and demanding job, but as Zoran says in his blog, "The wooden boat never gets old, as long as there is wood and good craftsmen."

Camelia Trophy in Stoliv, photo by Zoran Nikolic

 

"We have been working hard for many years, and our manifestation attracts a lot of people. The owners of wooden boats come in, with no more than 10-12 boats, but also visitors who are interested in it. After the fishing competition in wooden boats, as well as the competition in rowing of wooden boats, we are obliged every year to arrange a round table and invite people from the competent institutions - Harbor Command Kotor and Bar, relevant ministries, all those interested in helping us in any way.

 

There is a response; there is a shift. The latest success in this field is the initiative of the caliphates workshop Bokovac and my friend Nenad Bokovac to recognize and protect the craft of wooden boat making as the immaterial cultural good of Montenegro. The Ministry of Culture has accepted this initiative and initiated a procedure for establishing a regime of protection, which is indeed a big and significant step. However, to protect the wooden boat itself, we are now preparing a new initiative to the Government of Montenegro where we will ask owners of wooden boats to release various taxis when registering boats, as well as charging berths and marinas along our coast. We think that such benefits would help to make that little wooden boat how much survived did not disappear. It is our goal because they are less and less per day in Boka because the people who own them are not always able and may not have enough knowledge to care for them. They do not have the conditions for the mastery of these, and these masters are less and less. That is why this is the last cry, our attempt to prevent their disappearance," explains Zoran Nikolic.

Prcanj, photo by Zoran Nikolic

 

"I look around the world, and everything that makes me nice and what I think can attract one's attention, I photograph it. It's not enough to click on the camera for a specific motif. You need to have good equipment and plenty of knowledge to take advantage of this equipment to get the result that is delightful. I did it, nobody taught me," says Zoran, pointing out that he loves to take photos of beauty. ”I like to show people nice things, and I like it when my photos make people emotional. That's my goal as a photographer."

Stone jettz, photo by Zoran Nikolic

 

When asked how a visual artist experiences changes in the landscape of Boka Bay, Zoran explains that as an artist he continues to try to tie for a nice one. He often finds it difficult to form a cadre that does not have some of the inadequate interpolations, such as large concrete constructions - he admits, he uses computer programs for photographic processing and corrects reality by removing markings in his photos.

31 January 2019 - The key commitment of the Government of Montenegro in 2019 is to create conditions for the growth of citizen's living standards, deputy prime ministers, Milutin Simović and Zoran Pažin, told a press conference following 107th Government of Montenegro session.

DPM Simović noted that the Government defined four priority goals for this year:

DPM Pažin said that when it comes to the Government's priority - the process of accession to the European Union, it has set out concrete and measurable objectives.

"This year we expect to fulfill the conditions for opening the last negotiating chapters, getting clear guidelines from European partners for finally closing negotiations in key chapters dedicated to the rule of law, and gradually closing negotiation chapters," he underlined.

Speaking about the continuation of strong economic growth, Deputy Prime Minister Simović said that expectations are based on hugely successful two previous years. He added that the Government's ambition is to continue with stable economic growth rates to achieve the final goal as quickly as possible - high quality of life for citizens. He stressed that this goal is based on the achieved macroeconomic stability of the State, preservation of the stability of the financial sector, the carrying out of major infrastructure projects, sustainable resource valorisation and implementation of the Development Programme for Acquisition of Montenegrin Citizenship by Admission for Investment Purposes.

Concerning suppressing the grey economy, as the third priority of the Government, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Policy and Financial System announced the launch of comprehensive activities against the informal economy in all its forms, full coordination of all relevant institutions and further cooperation with stakeholders, especially with social partners. "We think that this should be a common platform," said DPM Simović.

As a result of the real achievement of these goals,he added, the Government expects the continuation of ceating new and improving quality of existing jobs, increasing the living standards of citizens through clear and measurable indicators: minimal wage, further regularity of pensions and their alignment, and reviewing reducong tax rates, which increases the competitiveness of our economy and opens up space for job creation.

31 January 2019 - Meeting commitments from the Programme of Accession of Montenegro to the EU 2019-2020 leads to the adoption and application of European standards in all areas and improvement of the quality of life of citizens, Deputy Chief Negotiator Dragan Marković told a press conference following the Government's session.

At the session, the Government of Montenegro passed the Programme of Accession of Montenegro to the EU for the period 2019-2020, which represents a two-year plan of legislative, strategic and administrative reform activities of the Government of Montenegro in the field of European integration and fulfiling obligations from the negotiation process.

Ms Marković stated that, by implementing this document, the Government would intensify the reforms aimed at raising the living standards and the quality of life of citizens.

According to the Accession Programme, in the next two-year period, 108 laws and 254 sub-legal acts, 112 strategic documents, as well as the strengthening of administrative capacities in the institutions that carry the reform activities, are planned.

"The most obligations in the legislative section are expected in the chapters: 24 - Justice, freedom and security, and the largest number of sub-legal acts in chapters: 1 - Freedom of movement of goods, Chapter 12 - Food safety, veterinary and photocontrol supervision, 14 - Traffic policy and Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change. The majority of strategic documents are planned under Chapter 14 - Transport Policy, Chapter 24 - Justice, Freedom and Security, and Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change. The greatest need for strengthening administrative capacity is under Chapter 23 - Justice and Fundamental Rights, Chapter 24 - Justice, Freedom and Security, Chapter 27 - Environment and Climate Change, Chapters 1 - Freedom of Movement of Goods. and Chapter 19 - Social Policy and Employment," Ms Marković explained.

She pointed out that the most significant number of obligations in implementing the Programme of Accession covers sectors of the economy, finance, agriculture and rural development, and transport and maritime affairs.

Given the importance of chapters 23 and 24 for progress in the accession negotiations, the Deputy Chief Negotiator noted that the Programme of Accession defines activities aimed at fulfilling provisional benchmarks in these areas.

She explained that in these chapters, the passing of several important laws had been planned, namely: the Law on Internal Affairs, Law on Media, Law Amending the Law on National Broadcaster RTCG, Law Amending the Law on State Prosecutor's Office, Law Amending the Law on Courts, Law Amending the Law on Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters with EU member states.

She said that the quality and efficient implementation of the Program of Accession would ensure the improvement of the results of the negotiation structure, maintaining the excellent dynamics of the accession process and achieving internal readiness to close chapters temporarily.