27 January 2018 - Since the beginning of works in 2015, until the end of last year, Montenegro has paid a total of 511,68 million EUR to the Chinese Company China Road and Bridge Corporation for the construction of the priority section of the Bar-Boljare highway.

As the representatives of the Ministry of Finance explained, 431.328.916,10 EUR was paid from the funds of Chinese Exim Bank and around 80.355.895,03 EUR was provided from the budget funds.

China Road and Bridge Corporation was paid 164,16 million EUR for the construction of the priority section Smokovac-Uvac-Meteševo. Chinese got most paid in December.

It was planned that works be completed by the middle of May of 2019.

“It is evident that the construction works on the priority section of the highway will be prolonged and, therefore, the dynamics of the realization will be changed. We expect the works to be finished by the end of 2020,” said the representatives of the Ministry of Finance.

Also, road infrastructure has never seen more investments in the history of Montenegro. Last year, around 47 million EUR was spent on roads.

“When I started serving this function, the greatest challenges for me were the motorway and the Montenegro Airlines. We have zero tolerance for the quality of works on the motorway. This is the most difficult section in Europe. The complete loop will not be constructed, only the access road. We will complete the water supply along the entire route of the motorway. Permanent electricity supply is another important segment of this project. Apart from the motorway, we are working on the remaining road network. From the north to the south,” said the Minister of Transport, Osman Nurković.

28 January 2019 - The unique mountain massif of Prokletije is recognized as a region of exceptional landscape features with rich biodiversity. Because of its beauty, inaccessibility and untouched nature, Prokletije became a favourite destination for an increasing number of tourists, especially mountaineers and alpinists. On the other hand, residents who inhabit this area are struggling to improve the quality of life. These residents often migrate towards urban centres or even go outside the country in search of a better life, while the strong potential of this region's development remains untapped. As in Montenegro, a similar problem is evident in the area of Prokletije on the other side of the border, on the territory of Kosovo.

In order to achieve sustainable development of the cross-border region through joint tourism potentials based on natural and cultural heritage, the implementation of the cross-border project "Development of Ecotourism in the Balkan Alps" has started. During the next two years, which mark the duration of the project, the activities that will contribute to the quality and diversity of services, the establishment and promotion of a joint tourist offer have been planned, as well as activities that will enable increased safety of the visitors of the National Park Prokletije in Montenegro and the National Park Bjeshkët e Nemuna in Kosovo.

Due to the inaccessibility and the unique nature of the area, apart from creating a new tourist offer, the focus of the project is the safety of tourists. Many interventions in rescuing lost or injured tourists show the need for the reconstruction of the tourist infrastructure so that during this year, a total of 50 kilometres of hiking trails will be assessed from the safety aspect and reconstructed if necessary.

In the forthcoming period, intensive work will be done to build professional facilities for tourist service providers, to strengthen the capacities of local communities and the private sector with the aim of developing a unique tourist offer and increasing the safety of tourists. The lack of trained planner guides is evident, which is also evidenced by the already mentioned frequency of accidents in the mountains. Therefore, this project will offer training to specialized guides and implement a joint mountain rescue training to enhance cross-border cooperation in helping lost or injured tourists.

Considering that National park Prokletije represents a destination that is perfect for nature lovers, rich in local endemic and endangered species of plants, birds and mammals, the project will include intensive work in order to promote nature-based tourism. The project will include training for guides in the field of biodiversity, and the individuals will be trained to observe birds, collect medicinal herbs, mushrooms.

The project "Development of Ecotourism in the Balkan Alps" is implemented by the Centre for the Protection and Study of Birds in cooperation with the Mountain Rescue Service of Montenegro as well as the partners from Kosovo - Kosovo Advocacy and Development Centre (KADC) and Mountaineering and alpinists association "Pashtriku". It is financed by the European Union through the IPA II program Montenegro - Kosovo 2014-2020 and the Ministry of Public Administration of Montenegro.

Source: Boka News

28 January 2019 - Under the Program of Incentive Measures in the Field of Tourism for 2018/2019, implemented by the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism and the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro, Hotel Fobra is the winner of the European Union’s ecological certificate - EU Ecolabel, as the first accommodation facility in the Capital of Montenegro which received this significant recognition for sustainable business.

The EU Ecolabel is a voluntary ecolabelling scheme established in 1992 and a component of the European Commission’s action plan on Sustainable Consumption and Production and Sustainable Industrial Policy. It encourages manufacturers to produce goods and services that are more environmentally friendly. Any good or service that has been awarded the EU Ecolabel meets a set of high environmental and performance standards.

An increase in the number of certified accommodation units is important for positioning in the markets of Western and Northern Europe, as well as for distant destinations, as tourists coming from these countries expect high quality services, a full experience of the destination and are ready to dedicate more money to stay in a certified accommodation.

The National Tourism Organization and the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism of Montenegro are currently providing financial resources for the introduction of ecological certificates "ISO 9001", "Travellife" and "EU Ecolabel" as part of the project "Development of Low Carbon Tourism". This project is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development that provide technical support in order to fulfil the necessary criteria for certification.

Over the past two years, 20 hotels and apartments on the Montenegrin coast have received certificates of sustainability, thus showing willingness to affirm the concept of green tourism and to respect the principles of rational use of resources.

Certified hotels are recognized for their economic business, which makes them significant partners in nature conservation and the fight against climate change. The certificate of sustainability is a confirmation that hotels save energy and water, use less harmful chemicals, work on the promotion of sustainable transport and waste reduction. Employees in these facilities intensively cooperate with guests in terms of developing environmental awareness.

Fobra Hotel, located in Podgorica, was built on the bank of the river Ribnica and it offers a unique location with peace and tranquillity for all guests. The hotel is located in the central part of the city, and its great advantage is the proximity of all administrative, business and sports centres in the city. Get more information about Fobra Hotel at their official website.

All interested hotel owners can apply for the Program of Incentive Measures in the Field of Tourism, Measure I B - Improvement of Quality of Services, via web site: www.mrt.gov.me and www.montenegro.travel.

January 28, 2019 - The peninsula of Luštica, at the entrance to Boka Bay, still has no water supply system, and a few years ago, due to a weak electrical network, its inhabitants were often in the dark. Luštica does not have a primary school, an ambulance, or a shop. According to the announcements from the Municipality of Herceg Novi, whose territory consists of the most significant part of the surface of the peninsula, sthe first activities began for the construction of the water supply network.

About 400 permanent residents of the part of Luštica, which territorially belongs to the municipality of Herceg Novi, live in several settlements - Rose, Klinci, Mrkovi, Tići, Eraci, Babuci, Radovanići, Zambelići, Begovići, Đurjeni, Brguli, Mardari and Zabrđe. The villages Krašići and Krtoli are part of the Tivat municipality.

On the peninsula of Luštica, belonging to the municipality of Herceg Novi, at the location Pristan there is an underwater pipeline of Ø250 diameter, owned by the Regional Water Supply, connected to the waterway from Kumbor. This pipeline is planned to transport 70 l / s of water. According to the data of the Water Supply and Sewerage of Herceg Novi, the outlet pressure in the pipeline at Pristan is about 2.2 bar.

NGO Artistic Music Association "Scena" from Nikšić published a photo contest "Natural Beauty of the Northern Montenegro" for the municipalities of Niksic, Plužine, Savnik and Žabljak.

The best works will be rewarded with diplomas, and the first three places with electronic devices i.e. tablet computers.

"The aim of this photo contest is to promote the natural beauty of northern Montenegro, as well as to promote photography as an art to the elementary, high school pupils and students from the mentioned municipalities," said Zoran Džiknić, Project Coordinator.

The right to participate in the competition, which is open until February 28^th, is all photographers with residence or place of birth in Nikšić, Plužine, Savnik and Žabljak municipalities and the emphasis will be on originality and a focus on the local environment.

You can send a maximum of three photos to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., and the winners will be chosen by a three-member jury as well as by visitors of the exhibitions which will be organized in Nikšić, Plužine, Žabljak and Savnik during March and April.

"From the works received, the expert project team "Scena" will select the 30 best photos and organize a travelling photo exhibition in the cities whose natural beauty we intend to promote," Džiknić said.

The photo competition is realized as part of the project entitled "Facilitating and Promotion of Cultural and Artistic Creativity of Youth from Nikšić, Plužine, Šavnik and Žabljak”, and is financially supported by the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro.

Text by Svetlana Mandic, on January 27th 2019, read more at Vijesti

Herceg Novi, where there are 935 guests, is marking a jubilee 50th Mimosa festival. After the winter break, the Mediterranean Center Institute in Igalo will open its doors, which hosts the first Mimosa masquerade, as well as many other programs to be held during the jubilee festival as well as the day of Norway. We remind you that in this rehabilitation facility, the Norwegians have been treated since 1976. The collaboration between this health and tourism institution in Igalo and the Norwegian government, which sends its citizens for treatment and recovery, has lasted for four decades.

Since the very opening and the first mimosa festival weekend, we expect a good booking capacity, said the marketing director Nikola Mračević. The first guests are the beneficiaries of the Montenegrin Health Fund. A major visit of the guests from the region is expected in March, for whom there is the offer Ex Yu, while the first guests from the Netherlands will arrive on April 8^th and from Norway on April 16th.

There are several hotels in there Herceg Novi Riviera, in which 117 guests will be accommodated, while 818 are in the private accommodation. Among the tourists who are staying in the biggest city in Boka bay, at the end of January, there are only seven domestic ones.

Text by Slavica Kosic, on January 27th 2019, read more at Vijesti

The Overture to all programs will be a cult city manifestation devoted to "theatre" - XXIV HAPS – Herceg Novi April Theatre festival, from 15^th to 25^th April.

The Titular Festival is NGO Herceg Novi Theatre, and JUK Herceg Fest is host and co-organizer. HAPS, with the recommendation of the Culture Council, has been included in events necessary for the culture of the city, according to tthe he Tourist Organization.

From the 9^th to 16^th of June Herceg Novi will welcom the Day of Russian Culture, and the "breath of Russia" will be brought by the cultural delegates of this country. The event is a product of cooperation between the local TO and the city of St. Petersburg, which was strengthened by signing a memorandum of cooperation in November last year.

A rich and varied program is being prepared, whose carriers are the guests from Russia.

"The aim of the event is to present the diversity of national wealth, to affirm multiculturalism and to promote the cooperation of institutions, associations and artists. The guests from Russia will present themselves with a program designed to gather Russian citizens from Russia and the entire Balkans and to popularize Russian culture, spirituality, tradition and art in our region," said the TO.

The Festival of Classical Music, XXXVI Days of music will traditionally mark the beginning of July. Concert programs will be held as in previous years in Dvorana Park, from 10^th to 20^th July. The sponsors of this musical festival are the Montenegrin Ministry of Culture, Municipality and Tourism Organization Herceg Novi, while JUK Herceg Fest is the executive producer of the festival.

Right after the Days of Music is finished, the lovers of the written word will be able to get acquainted with the latest titles of local and regional writers who will present themselves at the Book Square from 21^st till 28^th July.

"The fair is designed as a unique edition of publishing, with the aim of popularizing books and reading, offering the many visitors with various interests the best and latest releases of domestic and foreign literature and literature from all fields of science and knowledge," the TO says. There are planned meetings with writers, various evening programs, as well as children's and drama programs.

This year's filmmakers lovers will be able to enjoy the latest regional, European and world titles, which will b brought to the screen by the Montenegrin Film Festival. It will be held, as it was the case so far, at 4 locations in the city, from the 1^st to 7^th of August. The projections in the main competition program will be screened at Kanli kula, and the other categories in Forte Mare Fort, Music Square and Bellavista Square. The executive producer of the festival is JUK Herceg Fest.

In addition to the festival dedicated to classical literature, the five-day guitar festival - Guitar Art Summer Fest will delight us this summer too. It will be held on the Square at the Music School from the 15^th to 20^th of August, and some concerts and Kanli Kula. Within the festival, during the day, the Summer School of Guitar will be organized, by which GASF supports and promotes young talents who have the opportunity to work and perform with the greatest guitarists.

The only opera festival in the region, Operosa, will be held from the 21^st to 24^th of August, as well as the VI festival of jazz music, organized by NGO Fortuna in cooperation with the Music School, which will be held in the standard term from the 25^th to 27^th of August.

The manifestations in the post-season begin with the only festival in Montenegro devoted to the ninth art - the 13th Comic book Festival, to be held from the 6^th to 11^th of September. Thereafter, there will be a sports fun recreational event - tuna hunt, Big game fishing, from the 12^th to 16^th of September. The beginning of October will be marked by the Festival of Spiritual Music, the International Festival of Chorus, organized by NGO Fortuna in cooperation with the Music School.

Text by Radio Jadran, on January 27th 2019, read more at Radio Jadran

January 28, 2019 - How Barbie's plastic world is threatening the environment.

27 January 2019 - Construction of the second phase of the new MR1 access road to the tourist complex Luštica Bay in Krtoli near Tivat will be completed at least two months before the deadline.

The significant progress on the construction of the access road was announced during the tour of this section by the Mayor of Tivat Siniša Kusovac and the executive director of the construction company Bemax Veselin Kovačević. The construction works value was estimated to be 2.968.722 EUR. The route of the second phase of the MR1 access road, located from Đuraševići to Solila is 2,2 kilometres long. In addition to the two traffic lanes with green safety islands, infrastructure, and lighting, the construction works will include a bicycle and walking trail as well.

"We can only express satisfaction with the pace, quality and the progress in relations to the construction works performed. The contract stipulates a deadline of nine months, which end by the beginning of October. Still, with the present dynamics, I am sure that the works will be completed by June or July, at least two months before the deadline. The Municipality of Tivat is very satisfied with this business relationship and the responsibility the Company Bemax has shown in this project. I only want the contractor to continue the work with this degree of determination and to finish the works before the deadline," said Mayor Kusovac after visiting the construction site.

He underlined that the Municipality, as an investor, has excellent cooperation with the contractor and supervisor on this project and that Bemax has proved to be one of the best and most serious contractors of construction works they have done so far.

By completing the second phase of the MR1 road and connecting it with the first phase that was completed in June last year, Tivat gets a modern roadway with a total value of 5,7 million EUR. The merging of the second and the first phase, which will lead to the completion of the MR1 access road, will significantly address the issue of traffic connections throughout the Luštica peninsula.

Source: Boka News

27 January 2019 - Montenegro has a large number of museums and galleries, all dotted around the country. This charming country has a rich history, so every region within the Montenegrin border has a museum with fascinating historical artefacts specific to the area.

The National Museum of Montenegro is a complex cultural institution which consists of different museums and many buildings, churches, and houses that comprise each museum, all of which are housed in buildings of utmost historical and cultural importance. This institution was officially founded in 1896, the year of enacting the Law on Royal Montenegrin Library and Museum.

The central “theme” within the National Museum is the material and spiritual history of the territory now known as Montenegro and the people that have lived there. This museum records the history of Montenegro chronologically starting with ancient ruins and findings and continuing through to the 18^th century. Everything from war relics to furniture, artworks and historical documents are on display in the museums.

Located in Cetinje, Montenegrin Old Royal Capital, the National Museum is composed of four museums: Museum of History (composed of the King Nikola Museum, Museum of Petar II Petrovic Njegoš, Njegoš`s birthhouse, Njegoš`s Mausoleum on Lovćen, the court church Cipur, the Mausoleum of Bishop Danilo on Orlov krš and the the Raised-relief Map Pavillon), the Art Museum with the Modern art gallery Dado Đurić, the Ethnographic Museum and the newly founded Archaeological Museum with Lapidarium.

The buildings which represent segments of the National Museum are all located in central Cetinje, with the exception of Njegoš's house of birth, which is in the village of Njeguši towards Lovćen National Park.

National Museum of Montenegro performs various professional services (such as conservation, documentation, information collection and others) and it contains archival and library departments with approximately 50.000 bibliographical and 100.000 archival units.

Collection of museum exhibits on the territory of present-day Montenegro can be traced back to the ancient past. In a modern sense, however, it is possible to record the traces as of late fifteenth century, the time when Cetinje was established as a political and spiritual centre of Montenegro. The exhibition items include book collections, written and printed documents, issues related to church history - holy paintings - icons, paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, installations; war relics, flags, weaponry, furniture and various types of ethnographic items covering the entire ethnographic subject matter of present-day Montenegro.

The museum departments dedicated to particular individuals that have left their marks within the history of Montenegro – Prince-Bishop and writer Petar II Petrovic Njegoš and the last Montenegrin King Nikola I Petrovic Njegoš - have special appeal to all visitors, local and foreign.  

The tour to the National Museum of Montenegro often includes a brief history on Cetinje, Old Royal Capital of Montenegro, which is a wonderful testimony to the past times, the foundation of Montenegrin identity and spirituality. Cetinje is perhaps the smallest European capital, but it is the city of the great history and charm, which will certainly attract you.

If you are interested in learning about Montenegrin history, or want to find out more about Montenegrin artists, be sure to explore the country's cultural capital, and set aside part of your time for the National Museum complex.

Source: National Museum of Montenegro Official Website