May 18, 2020 - Italian art genius, Marco Mastrazzo, is the new confirmed guest of the fourteenth edition of the Herceg Novi Strip Festival (HSF), which takes place from September 4 to 9. Mastrazzo, one of the biggest names in Italian comics at the moment, has been in the creative drive of the ninth art since 2006.

Practically from the beginning, his professional engagement was related to drawing covers for Dylan Dog's annual specials and American editions of the same hero, which are published under the label Epicenter Comics. He also works for the publisher Editoriale Cosmo as a cover artist for the comic book Caput Mundi. His complete opus also recommends him to American publishers, so today, his covers are adorned by Zenescope Entertainment. At the same time, in Italy, he joins the prestigious publisher Edizioni Inchiostro as the exclusive cover designer for the series "Brothers in Blood." However, Mastrazzo is also engaged in another dream job. In the last three years, he has been a member of an elite team of artists who make unique art posters for Ferrari for Formula 1 races. Due to his incredible talent and relaxed lifestyle, Mastrazzo was a logical choice for a special guest HSF, and if you ask him and HSF was the logical choice of the festival, he wanted to come.

The Herceg Novi Strip Festival has been in the focus of the European comic scene for several years due to the reputation and image of the cool festival. Still, this year it attracts special attention to the ninth art public. Given the fact that the most significant spring festivals in Europe as well as in the region are canceled, it is logical that the attention of comic book lovers turned to Montenegro as a potential corona-free destination, and Herceg Novi as its capital of the ninth art.

"The traditional start date of HSF, the first Friday in September, is once again confirmed by chance as the perfect choice of the festival's founder Nikola Ćurčin. It gives us enough time to thoroughly monitor the development of the situation regarding easing measures and opening European countries. In addition to the increasingly resounding names of artists who confirm their arrival in Herceg Novi as special guests of the festival, this year, our event will be attended by many organizers of the most famous European comics festivals and their fans. The arrival in Herceg Novi has been announced by the directors of the cult festivals, British NICE, and Russian Boom Fest. It is a unique opportunity to promote Herceg Novi as a cultural and tourist destination to a broad audience that visits these major European festivals, "said HSF organizers.

They are aware that the only Montenegrin event dedicated to the ninth art is considered a small cultural miracle in the world of comics. That is an additional motive, but also an obligation to present Herceg Novi and Montenegro in the best possible light this year and justify that epithet. The HSF reminds that so far, in addition to Mastrazzo, the guests are the British PJ Holden, the Slovenian Izar Lunaček, Sedat Oezgen from Germany, and Artyom Trakhanov from Russia.

May 18, 2020 - No new COVID-19 patients have been registered in Montenegro for 14 days. Since the last press conference of the situation, IJZ laboratories have completed the analysis of 93 samples, among which there were no new cases of coronavirus infection, the Institute of Public Health (IJZ) announced.

The total number of patients since the beginning of the events is 324, while 311 have recovered. Currently, four people are ill, two in Ulcinj and one in Gusinje and Bijelo Polje.

CORONAVIRUS IN MONTENEGRO: INFO FOR TOURISTS

Public intercity transport established

Passengers must also wear a protective mask in public city transport, and hand disinfection will be mandatory at the entrance to the bus. From the Railway Transport, they say that they are ready to return to work obligations, and they expect a significant number of passengers in the coming days.

Opening of the Airport of Montenegro soon

It was decided that the third phase of mitigation of measures in sports, in which it will be possible to hold sports competitions without the presence of the audience, which was announced for June 1, will begin on May 30.

Over eight million were paid into the account for the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic

May 17, 2020 - Montenegro Airlines management has announced that they expect to have their first commercial flights in June.

Representatives of the national airline assume that the first flights will be established to destinations in the region, it was announced to Pobjeda from Montenegro Airlines.

"Having in mind the easing of restrictions in Montenegro as well as in a number of European countries in the last few days, we expect to have the first flights in June to destinations with a similar epidemiological situation," Pobjeda from Montenegro Airlines said.

Montenegro Airlines assumes that the first flights will be established to destinations in the region.

"Then, in the next month, flights would be established to all destinations to which we travel. Of course, provided that flying to those countries is allowed ", said Montenegro Airlines.

Passenger commercial air traffic in Montenegro has been suspended since March 16, except for the announced arrival of Montenegrin citizens through diplomatic and consular missions.

"At the moment, all Montenegro Airlines commercial flights are suspended until May 31. Of course, this is not a final decision, because the establishment of commercial air traffic depends on the decisions and guidelines of domestic and international bodies and authorities responsible for civil aviation, and also depends on the protocols relating to health measures and travel restrictions in countries to which MA is flying ", explained the representatives of the national airline, emphasizing that their fleet is ready to establish traffic.

May 17, 2020 - The civic movement URA sent an appeal to the Government of Montenegro in order to save the tourist season by accessing the corona corridor.

"After the Government accepted the proposal to promote Montenegro as a corona free destination, we appeal to take concrete steps regarding the said proposal." It is necessary for Prime Minister Markovic and the head of diplomacy, Srdjan Darmanovic, to establish contacts with their colleagues in Germany and Austria as soon as possible, to try to get our country into the corona corridor. In that way, at the moment of opening the borders, Montenegro would be among the countries where there would be unobstructed passage for tourists ", they point out in the URA movement.

They state that talks on the topic of the tourist season have already begun in some European countries.

"Depending on the epidemiological situation, it is expected that at some point the borders will be opened, where the countries that were not significantly affected by the COVID 19 pandemic, including Montenegro, will certainly have a tourist advantage." If the idea of ​​the corona corridor comes true, it is of immense importance for our country to be a part of that agreement. Therefore, activities in that direction should be undertaken without delay, "they said in the URA movement.

They point out that a large number of citizens of Montenegrin origin live in Germany and Austria.

"Apart from Germany and Austria, which are large tourist markets, a large number of our citizens also live in those countries. They traditionally spend their holidays on the Montenegrin coast or in the north of our country. It is important to note that in addition to these two countries, Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic are participating in the talks on the corona corridor, which can also be a significant potential for saving the tourist season. "Montenegro should join these talks, regardless of the fact that we are not a member of the EU," said the URA movement.

They state that, according to EU Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton, travel restrictions should first be eased towards countries where the virus has been brought under control.

"The government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs must do everything to convince our partners to be part of this agreement, regardless of the fact that we are not an EU member state. In that way, they would more or less save the tourist economy, which will be significantly endangered ", they conclude in the URA movement.

May 17, 2020 - Today is the 12th day since no new coronavirus case has been reported in Montenegro. Two more persons have recovered which means that there are only four active cases.
Total number of recovered cases is 311. Around 1,151 persons are under watch. Nine persons have died due to coronavirus.

Montenegro has already opened its border for nautical tourism. Having regard to the expectation that we are going to be a corona-free destination, conditions for the tourism season will be created soon, said PM, Mr Dusko Markovic, during the presidency over phone conference summit of CEI countries.

“Taking into account efforts undertaken so far in the protection of public health, I believe we agree that we need to step into that process carefully and with synchronicity, with complementarity of national measures with those at regional and European level. Therefore, I think it is extremely important that we strengthen cooperation in healthcare, customs and transport area and enable synchronized measures of control, prevention of the spread of the virus and border crossings management ", Mr Markovic said.

Secretary for tourism in the Ministry of Tourism and Sustainable Development of Montenegro, Mr Damir Davidović, warned all caterers and citizens to adhere to measures of the National Coordination Body, keep physical distance, wear masks. He reminded what the tasks of the caterers were. He said that inspectors regularly performed controls and hadn’t identified many irregularities so far. Everybody has to adhere to advice to prevent escalation of the virus as that would mean that the season “is definitely lost,” he said. Opening borders will be defined in line with the recommendations of the National Coordination Body for Infectius Diseases, he reminded.

Source: CDM

May 15, 2020 - Every year in Perast, May 15 is solemnly celebrated in memory of the incredible victory over the Turks in 1654. That victory was attributed to the help of the Mother of God, because the forces of Perast were so small that they could only win with the help of heaven. That is why they made a vow to commemorate the victory every year and to thank God and the Mother of God for the grace bestowed.

May 15, 2020- The National Tourist Organization of Montenegro has published today the detailed guide for tourists regarding the current situation in the country, which is very close to proudly pronounce itself one of the first corona-free destinations in the world.

Which border crossings are closed?

The border crossings are open with the following countries:

What has been shut down?

What remains open?

What is required?

Where are the quarantines located?

Who should be quarantined?

Who is required to self-isolate, that is, stay inside house quarantine?

Return for tourists currently in Montenegro

Return to Montenegro for Montenegrin nationals located abroad  

May 15, 2020 - Today is the Day! Citizens of Montenegro can finally return to one of their most important habits - drinking espresso coffee, which they call "Deutsch" with milk. In addition, the National Coordination Body for Infectious Diseases lifted the curfew and approved the establishment of passenger traffic throughout the country. From today, you can also go to the beach, and as far as shopping is concerned - shopping malls are starting to work.

From today, traffic is allowed for passenger and TAXI vehicles, and from Monday, public road and rail transport. The temporary measure that a maximum of two adults can be transported in a passenger vehicle is also abolished. Both passenger and public transport still involve the use of protective masks, except for members of the family household.

As of today, the work of catering facilities and shopping centers and the use of beaches is enabled.

Caterers must provide certain conditions for employees, as well as adjust the space of their cafes and restaurants, to ensure compliance with the NKT measures that remain in force. A maximum of four guests can sit at one table, unless they are members of a joint family household. Tables must be at least 2m away. Waiters and bartenders are obliged to wear masks, regularly disinfect their hands, and the owners of catering facilities are obliged to provide disinfectants for guests at the entrance to the facility.

Montenegrins will still miss the opportunity to hang out at the bar in cafes, because the owners of catering facilities have been ordered to disable self-service, standing and staying in front of the bar.
As of today, the beaches are reopened, where there will be much fewer deck chairs than we are used to, which is not bad - the distance between the sets of beach furniture must be at least two meters, and in the part of the public beach where beach furniture is not installed, swimmers must respect the obligation to keep a distance of at least two meters, except for members of the joint family household.

Beach tenants must ensure regular hygiene and disinfect beach furniture and equipment.

Users of unarranged bathing areas are obliged to respect a distance of at least two meters, except for members of the joint family household.

Shopping centers are starting to work, with a limit on the number of visitors due to the square footage of the building - a maximum of one person per 10m2 of space, with the obligation to respect the physical distance of at least 2m.

In shopping centers, we now have marked the mandatory direction of movement of consumers and visitors, who are obliged to use the provided means for hand disinfection, which must be located at the entrance and exit.

All employees in shopping centers, as well as all visitors, must wear protective masks. The ban on the operation of cinemas in shopping malls remains in force.

May 14, 2020 - Five weeks, ten kilometers of ropes, about 60 artists, 99 works which, through auction sales within the viber group "Jelena #BudiOptimist" generated a humanitarian income of 10,113 euros, are just some of the results of the great initiative Meštar O' Konopa 2020 (Master of Ropes 2020), realized by Tivat UNA Montenegro in partnership with Radio Tivat and several local businessmen.

At the moment when life stopped, and the need to be socially responsible made us find ourselves locked in our houses, Miško Lučić, founder and owner of the rope factory UNA Montenegro, which last year marked 25 years of work, came up with the idea to invite Bokelians to a game of ropes. Radio Tivat wholeheartedly supported this initiative, and in just two days a team was formed, which will coordinate the next five weeks with a prize competition. Time will tell - and the praiseworthy humanitarian action "Jelena #BudiOptimist," when the masterpieces of our artists found buyers in a joint action under the motto "Tivat watch over its people."

The game began with the promotion of ambassadors, carefully selected Bokelian creatives who are already recognized as masters of the style in various professions. The ambassadorial team, as we called them, delighted us with their creativity, even though there were those among them who reached for the rope for the first time. As Ivan Lučić from the company UNA has repeatedly emphasized - the ambassadors are the soul of this project, and with their energy and creativity they gave the organizers the credibility to confidently approach the search for this year's Meštar.

Three competition weeks full of excitement followed, and about 40 competitors joined the game through its phases. Challenges changed from week to week, and the ambassadorial team had no easy task to select the three best works at the end of each cycle, which sent their authors to the finals of the Meštar O' Konopa 2020 challenge, which included nine contestants.

The first place and the title of Meštar O' Konopa 2020 was won by Boris Radović from Kotor for the work "Sailboat." The second prize went to Sanja and Vasilije Vuković for the wall clock, while the third place went to Dijana Pavićević with a rope mandala.

Most of the participants at the beginning of the game had no experience working with the rope. After five weeks, we can say that Tivat has a serious pool of masters, so from this beautiful story, maybe some entrepreneurial initiative will emerge.

Seeing the great interest of the citizens to participate and the fantastic works that were presented from week to week, the initiators of the action came up with the idea that this whole endeavor could be used for humanitarian purposes, because a large number of Bokelians expressed their interest in buying works. When it turned out that our fellow citizen Jelena Prekajski needed help, Meštar started the viber group "Jelena #BudiOptimist." Through this group, in nine calls, 99 works of the master and about 20 works of art were auctioned - gifts from friends for the auction. The total income generated by their sale - 10,113 euros, was sent directly to support the treatment of Jelena Prekajski.

"Thank you wonderful, creative people, for this whole action and the love you send me," said Jelena through her sister, who followed the last gathering and auction of works organized by the Meštar O' Konopa 2020. In addition to the works of masters created in the final cycle, an amphora- a gift from the florist Nina from Donja Lastva, woven into a rope by Milan Lučić and Mima Mehović Šabović, was also sold at the last auction.

The creative challenge Meštar o ’konopa 2020 brought us back to tradition, but also showed us a possible new way of developing the local community in circumstances that have changed drastically in the last few months. The economy must adapt to the new situation and try to create sustainable flows of functioning at the local level. The Meštar O' Konopa can serve as a kind of model of how to network the local community into initiatives through which all participants in the process benefit.

The sponsors of the weekly awards for the winners of the Meštar O’ Konopa 2020 challenge cycle were provided by the Tivat companies Konoba Bacchus, Mala Barka and Montenegro Fishing.

When it comes to the auction "Jelena #BudiOptimist", in addition hardworking masters, we owe a special thanks to the PR manager of Porto Montenegro, Danilo Kalezic, who donated four paintings, as well as auction participants who provided the largest individual donations - Ivan Pekovic, who bought the winning work of the Meštar O' Konopa 2020, Asja Usanović who fought for the amphora, and especially Petar Žurić, who decided to donate the last sum with which he tried to gain the amphora.

The organizers are delighted with the effects of the action and promise that the Meštar O' Konopa will become another Tivat tradition.