The Maritime Museum of Montenegro Kotor, as part of its regular activity, continues the tradition of preserving and presenting national history, primarily maritime. The Museum is preparing an exhibition and film programme entitled "Catalog of Balšići / Fim Exhibition" by screenwriter and director Gojko Celebic in two segments, as has been announced.

The first segment is the exhibition of 14 charters of Zeta rulers Balšić, from their State Office sent to Dubrovnik in the period 1368-1397. This exhibition is thus a kind of celebration of the 650th anniversary of

business and legal charters of Balšić, which represent important documents from the Montenegrin state history.

The charters are now kept at the National Archives in Dubrovnik and an enlarged visual form, an Old Slavik printed form and transmission to the modern language will be exhibited at the Gallery of the Maritime Museum of Montenegro in Kotor.

The second segment is the feature film "Catalog Balšići" as a working projection within the exhibition, lasting 60 minutes - the Balšić era seen through the prism of the charters given, through available data and movie genre.

The film was shot in this version recently, in the Czech Cheb, on the border with Germany - it is just a working version, which will be shown as a screening for friends. The cast includes Montenegrin, Czech, Serbian and German actors.

The genre is feature and documentary at the same time, and is profiled as melodrama and related to the period of Balsa II's reign (1378-85), that is, to his personality and family.

Young Balšić, a ruler with variable luck, prone to intellectual interests in this version as well fascinated by the great inventions of his time (mirror, glasses, etc.) is played by Vuk Celebic, and his

first wife, Princess Komnina of Valona plays Czech actress Karolína Jägerová. The court doctor, whom the people of Dubrovnik send him "as a brother and a friend," interprets Michal Schwartz,

the Counselor is played by Andrija Kovač (Consigliere), cousin Vojislava by Klara Marxova, etc.

The film was shot in the authentic setting of the castle in Cheb, which was the residence of the German emperor Friedrich Barbarossa. The sequel of the Balsic’s death in the battle of the Saur field on 18 September 1835 is also planned to be filmed there.

So for now, it's important to note that this is not the official projection of the film, but the working one, as it is pointed out from Maritime Museum. Exhibition “Catalog Balšići / Film Exhibition” will be opened on August 8, at 9 pm at Grgurina Palace and will last until September 1st.

Zeljko Aprcovic, Mayor of Kotor will open the exhibition.

04 August 2019 - The rich cultural heritage of Samograd settlement located in Bijelo Polje, where Bronze Age treasures, Roman remains and early Christian basilicas were discovered, is expected to develop archaeological-religious tourism in the Bijelo Polje region.

Research conducted by archaeologists from the Polimski Museum has revealed a hitherto unknown image of Samograd, an extremely valuable site in Prijelozi near Bijelo Polje, reports RTCG. The remains of the walls of the two early Christian basilicas are a great cultural and spiritual legacy of Samograd, to which numerous legends are related. It preserves the traditions and traces of old landmarks.

This extremely rich archaeological site has been under investigation for four years. Valuable exhibits found at the site, including a gold cross with a ruby, have been preserved in the Polimski Museum. Detailed analysis of Samograd leads to new findings.

The intention of the archaeologists is to preserve and protect the heritage of Samograd and to make the archaeological site a tourist resource. The idea is financially supported by the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro and the Municipality of Bijelo Polje, which relies on rich cultural and natural heritage. In parallel with Bjelasica and Đalovića cave, the archaeologists are elaborating the plans for affirmation of archaeological-religious tourism.

Researchers are already developing the concept of a tourist offer of Samograd, which is located among six rocks.

Efforts to turn the archaeological site into a unique tourist spot by authentic upgrading are aimed at creating a new brand, which the local community can profit from. That is why the archaeologists have put their focus on connecting Samograd to the access roads in their plans for archaeological tourism affirmation.

Archaeologists are ready for further studies and discoveries in Samograd, which should be affirmed by tourists as a rich cultural and spiritual heritage. Traces of the Bronze Age, the remains of a Roman fortified city, stone monuments and early Christian basilicas were mapped as a platform for upgrading the most attractive tourist offer in both Bijelo Polje and the north of the country.

Read more about locations you should visit while travelling through Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

04 August 2019 - A public call for the construction of a wind farm in Brajići with an installed capacity of more than 70 megawatts should be announced soon.

The Government of Montenegro has adopted the Information on the announcement of a public call for a long-term lease of state-owned land for the construction of a wind farm on the site Brajići - Budva and Bar municipalities. The Ministry of Economy of Montenegro is in charge of issuing the public call for the lease. It is proposed to lease 13,8 million square meters of state-owned land at the following sites: Brajići, Kuljače, Utrg, Ovtočići, Tomići and Brčeli located in the municipalities of Budva and Bar, reports Investitor Portal.

Six years ago the company Vjetroelektrana Budva, owned by the German company WDP Europe and headed by Golub Senić, showed interest in the construction of the wind farm in Brajići.

Subsequently, the Ministry of Economy of Montenegro issued licenses for measuring and exploring wind potential at the sites in the cadastral municipalities of Kuljača and Reževići II from May 2013 to November 2017. Based on these measurements, the energy potential sufficient for wind power of more than 70 megawatts was estimated.

As Pobjeda daily previously reported, the Government of Montenegro has formed a board composed of representatives of the ministries of finance, tourism and economy, who drafted a tender text, with a land lease agreement, to which the ministries gave positive opinions. The documentation of the Real Estate Administration, which includes extracts from the real estate listings, the area and the way of using the parcels and the information about the owner or holder, was also provided.

The tender provides for the possibility of concluding a contract on guaranteed purchase of electricity on market terms.

"This avoids the possibility of government taking over risks in part of the impact on the rise in electricity prices for consumers in Montenegro," the information explained.

Read more information on lifestyle in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.

04 August 2019 - Minister of Culture of Montenegro Aleksandar Bogdanović recently met with the Minister of Human Capacities of Hungary Miklos Kasler in Budapest.

The two officials discussed cooperation between the two countries in the area of culture, particularly referring to the continuation and dynamic of joint activities, agreed during the previous meeting, which took place this February. 

The Gondola of Peace event, in memory of the victims of Hiroshima in 1945, will be launched on Tuesday, 6th August, starting at 6.30 pm in Risan, at the Smokvica Beach Bar. 

The programme will include the documentary exhibition Peace Park, the launch of the Gondola of Peace and Love, and music performed by the duo Kapetani.

The event is organised by Mihailo Ognjenović from Risan and is sponsored by the Kotor Tourism Organisation.

Gondola of Peace and Love 2019. Photo: KTO

Captain Mihailo Ognjenović was among the first Yugoslavs to visit the devastated city, along with the crew of the ship Trebinje, in 1965. He says that the images of the horrors of Hiroshima (bombed on 6th August, 1945), still play on his mind today.

“We set off from Rijeka, via Trieste, Venice and Port Said, Port Sudan...When we reached Japan, Hiroshima was the fourth port, and as the crew of a ship, we thought like any other port with a rich history, we should visit. There were 42 crew members and 12 passengers on board. On arrival into Hiroshima, we got into groups to visit Peace Park. We ran into problems when in Hiroshima we couldn’t pay for our taxis in US Dollars, only Japanese Yen. Later, when we got to Peace Park we weren’t exactly made welcome as they thought we were Americans, but when, with the help of an assistant, we managed to explain that we had come from Yugoslavia, we were welcomed with open arms…” recalls Ognjenović.

As he says, the scenes remained etched on his memory, and he immortalised his encounters with Hiroshima in one part of his book A Sea Diary, in which he gathered his impressions from his journeys at sea across the world.

Several years ago, on the anniversary of the bombing, Ognjenović paid tribute to the victims of the nuclear war by lighting candles at Our Lady of the Rocks, in Perast. This was by chance picked up by cruise ship passengers travelling through Boka, who then informed officials in Japan. Embassy representatives in Belgrade later contacted Ognjenović to express their gratitude.

The Traditional Fishing Night in Bigova will be held on Sunday, 4th August at 9 pm, on the local waterfront.

Entertainment will be provided by Aleksandar Bogdanovic, also known as Bata Đoša, and Isidora Nikolić, a student of the Cetinje Music Academy, accompanied by an accordion player and student of the Kragujevac Music Academy, Boško Tujković.

The Igalo Folk Group and Alisa Dance Group from Kotor will also perform.

According to the organisers, 250kg of fish and 200 litres of wine will be prepared, and will be provided free of charge.

Bigova Fishing Night, 2018. Photo: Boka News

There will be a prize giveaway, and throughout the day sports activities will be organised (volleyball, football, diving, swimming, three-point goal, and a sack race). There will be prize cups and certificates for the winners and participants.

The event is organised by Bigova locals, sponsored by Glavatičići – Bigova Community Association.

Gornja Lastva village in Tivat celebrates its 45th traditional festivity tonight.
“I invite both tourists and locals to come. Everything is ready for the traditional Gornja Lastva Festivity. It is not a small number of years and it seems to me that we have succeeded in passing on our love for the village to others, " said Marija Nikolic of the KZU - Cultural Heritage Association "Napredak", which is the organizer of the 45th festivity.

"The festivity starts at 9 pm in Gornja Lastva. For 45 years now we have more or less the same programme, so someone might assume, just at first, that it is not interesting. But it is a tried and tested recipe that catches your attention. When something lasts for 45 years, it is worth something. Having an audience means it's good. And the festivity combines several traditions. GPD Tivat – Tivat Music Education Society with more than 100 years of existence, including the Boka Navy (founded in 809), our intangible good, and the KZU Napredak, NGO which this year marks the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the first cultural society in Gornja Lastva.

The Croatian Tamburitza Society "Napredak" was founded in 1919, and its work has been continued to this day. Countries have changed, the name has changed, but the society remained here for a hundred years. Many traditions combined in one village that also represents the pearl of rural architecture. That tradition is not a burden to us, on the contrary, we are doing our job. We cherish heritage in all its segments. We don't look at the past in an idyllic way, but the past needs to be nurtured and preserved. Because it is a part of us."

When it comes to tonight’s programme, the Boka Navy - Tivat Branch, will dance the traditional Boka Dance in front of St. Mary's Parish Church accompanied by GPD - Tivat Music and Education Society. The “Posters of the Lastva Festival” exhibition will also be opened.
The official part is followed by a party with the band "Next" from Omiš, which made a good atmosphere last year.
"I am convinced that it will also be the case tonight. It will be comfortable in Gornja Lastva at 300 meters above sea level. This year, the sponsor of the Lastva Festivity is the Municipality of Tivat, which is co-financing it through the Decision to fund cultural events of importance to the municipality. We are happy that the importance has been recognized and we are grateful for the support.
By the way, since the beginning of the summer we have organized 3 concerts in the village. One was dedicated to klapa singing, the other to jazz music under the full moon, and the third one was for classical music lovers.,” said Marija Nikolić.
The next concert will be held on August 12th, when jazz music will be back. Napredak is preparing a rich, diverse program that promotes 100 years of society, for September.

03 August 2019 - The American billionaire and the founder of Microsoft Corporation, Bill Gates, is on a family cruise with his wife, Melinda, and their three children on the Adriatic coast of Montenegro.

Mr Gates, accompanied by his wife, Melinda, and three children, came to Montenegro by his super-yacht Lady S docked in front of Kotor and Risan until 28 July, when the Gates family decided to visit Sveti Stefan and then Porto Montenegro.  Anchored in front of the old town of Kotor, the yacht attracted the attention of locals and tourists alike, but the identity of the family was kept strictly confidential throughout their stay in Montenegro. According to unofficial information, Gates was seen swimming at Risan, while several guests of the five-star Regent Hotel in Porto Montenegro allegedly saw him and his family resting and playing tennis. Guests of the hotel reported that Gates and his group were very unassuming, reports The Dubrovnik Times. A ninety-three-meter long yacht which costs an amazing 1.4 million USD a week to charter, on which Bill Gates’ family is cruising, was accompanied by a smaller boat with a helicopter on deck.

According to CdM, American millionaire Daniel Snyder was also seen in Montenegro in the company of the second richest man in the world. Snyder is the majority owner of the Washington football team, the Washington Redskins, the founder of Snyder Communications and the primary investor in Red Zebra Broadcasting. The reporters also learned that Gates and Snyder had dinner together on August 3^rd, at the luxurious Nobu restaurant on Sveti Stefan, Budva.

According to Pobjeda daily, on Wednesday Bill Gates visited several eye-catching localities in the north of the country, among other things, the Đurđevića Tara Bridge and tried zip lining above Tara river canyon. After that, he experienced the Tara River by rafting.

As many bodyguards surrounded them, reporters couldn't approach them or take photos. The billionaire hasn’t commented to the media or allowed any photographers to come closer.

“According to those who saw them, Bill Gates and his family are simple and spontaneous people, they enjoyed the outstanding natural beauty of Tivat and the Boka Bay and tourist offer of Porto Montenegro,” writes Vijesti daily. Gates allegedly arrived in Montenegro from Croatia.

03 August 2019 - The citizens’ initiative Save the Sinjajevina Mountain has collected more than 3.000 signatures for a petition seeking to designate Sinjajevina as a protected area and to abandon the Government’s intention to establish a military training ground in the territory of that mountain.

The representatives of this citizens' initiative recently gave an interview for CdM, in which they said that the 3.000 signatures were the necessary condition for the petition to become a formal initiative to be discussed at the Government session.

Citizens' initiative Save the Sinajevina Mountain launched the petition on the Official Platform of the Government of Montenegro - the E-petition on June 6th. The deadline for collecting 3.000 required signatures is August 5th.

Representatives of the Citizens' Initiative say that they have succeeded in their quest thanks to the dedicated and generous support of a large number of civic activists who want to preserve Montenegro’s status as an ecological state. "This issue will be discussed at the Government session. We expect that they honour the request of a large number of citizens, to give up the crazy intention to set up a military training ground in Sinjajevina Mountain," they added.

It should be noted that citizens have repeatedly gathered at Sinjajevina Mountain, expressing dissatisfaction with the Montenegrin Ministry of Defence’s intentions to, as they say, militarize Sinjajevina and turn it into a military training ground.

"We call on the Minister of Defence Predrag Bošković to support the petition that has been launched with the aim to declare this mountain as a protected area. Instead of counting how many citizens have gathered at the protest and checking our personal information, perhaps it would be better to talk, to see that we want good for this mountain and for you to finally hear and understand what we have been repeating this whole year. We will say once again that the citizens' initiative is asking only one thing, and it is that Sinjajevina becomes a protected area and a nature park, to be used for the development of agriculture and tourism, not a military polygon,” said the representatives of the citizens’ initiative earlier for Vijesti.

As TMN reported earlier, the citizens' initiative demands Sinjajevina Mountain to be declared a protected area, to be used by livestock farmers, and to be affirmed as a tourist destination.

The petition for proclaiming Sinjajevina as a nature park was also signed today by the Metropolitan of Montenegro, Amfilohije.

02 August 2019 - The luxurious Majestic Hotel in Budva has become the bearer of the European Union's Green Ecolabel, reports NTO Montenegro. A total of 25 international certificates for sustainability in tourism have been awarded to Montenegro's accommodation facilities, hotels and apartments so far.

Exclusive hotel Majestic 4*, which received the label of environmental excellence, is located in the centre of Budva, 200 metres away from the Old Town and 50 metres away from the sea. The hotel offers a magnificent sea and marina view. More than simply a hotel, the Majestic offers privacy, comfort and luxury in one place. Designed to charm every single guest with carefully chosen details, a unique example of taste and style, hotel Majestic is an ideal choice for everyone seeking true comfort and elegance.

Green hotels are recognized for their cost-effective business, making them significant partners in nature conservation and combating climate change. The EU Ecolabel Certificate is a confirmation that the hotel manages to limit energy and water consumption, reduce waste (including food waste), minimise CO2 footprint, and limit emissions of hazardous substances to the surrounding environment. The hotels which aim to be green also look to improve labour conditions, including setting new requirements for employee minimum wage, insurance and working hours. Green hotels balance the quality and comfort of their offer while respecting the natural environment and being aware of resource constraints. The eco-label contributes to a better quality of service and strengthens its position in the market - which makes a significant difference between the hotels that own it and others.

Consumers are becoming more and more demanding in their quest for greener holidays. Satisfying this demand is increasingly seen by the tourism industry as the key to success. The Traveller Holiday 2005 study showed that 51% of tourists opt for environmentally friendly resorts and accommodation, while 82% prefer an intact environment. An increase in accommodation that has the EU Ecolabel in Montenegro is of great importance for positioning in Western and Northern European markets as well as in remote markets, as tourists coming from these countries expect high quality service, full destination experience and they are willing to spend more money to stay in green hotels.

The National Tourism Organization of Montenegro and the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism, in partnership with the UNDP Office and the support of the Low Carbon Tourism Development Project, provide funding for the introduction of Travellife Eco-Certificates and EU Ecolabel Certificates.

If you are interested in getting international eco-certification for your hotel or accommodation located in Montenegro, apply for the Tourism Incentive Program through the websites: www.mrt.gov.me or www.montenegro.travel.

Read more about lifestyle in Montenegro at TMN's dedicated page.