The cutting of cypress caused immeasurable damage to Bar and Barani. Only when they fell did we realize how important they were to us.
Bar remained in the past without various landmarks. Some rightfully went down in history due to the progress of the city, others could still last, others were collapsed by human carelessness and even greed. But the Barani generally did not protest, except when their lives were in danger, like then, almost half a century ago, when a sinter-magnesite factory was supposed to be built here.
Instead of the "Ciro" train via Sutorman, a railway was built across the Skadar Lake; Bar Port was built instead of Pristan; instead of the "Agava" hotel, a huge building appeared that obscures both the sea and the sky; instead of the olive groves where, some say, King Nicholas also picked olives, three multi-story buildings were built; instead of the "Sveti Stefan" ferry remaining a monument to Bar seafaring and being a floating restaurant somewhere along the coast, it was first vandalized by thieves, and then turned into iron in Nikšić's Ironworks; instead of the Children's resort on Sutorman becoming the Montenegrin Petnica, a scientific research station for the most talented Montenegrin children, it became an abandoned mockery... There are many more similar examples.
And why now, all of a sudden, the cypress trees have stirred up Bar, and even the whole of Montenegro?
Because their felling has no rational explanation.
The fact that more than three thousand citizens who signed a petition to keep the trees where they are, were not respected, angered the high school students of Bar the most, who were not used to being ignored and belittled by anyone, but also losing without a fight. Their parents may have gotten used to the loser status, they haven't, nor do they intend to.
Whenever someone wants to win elections in this city, they pull a heartbreaking story about inter-religious and inter-ethnic harmony. As if they are responsible for this harmony, and not some wise people, who in difficult times saved others from themselves. But that bar of mutual appreciation and respect for all three faiths began to darken because the fourth faith grew stronger and, in the end, prevailed. It is the newly composed faith of PPI (party, privileges, interest).
The bar of good people hid from the onslaught of that powerful, fourth religion, went underground and met only occasionally, sighing for the old times and lamenting, mostly in some small rooms in the old bazaar of Starobar, where its foundations were laid.
And then, unexpectedly, an almost forgotten Bar popped up again. There in front of the cypress cemetery, on Topolica. Where it smells of pine, of that beautiful, spiritual, our Bar. Bar youth gathered there: pure, incorruptible, unencumbered by anything, especially religious, national and other issues. And motivated solely by justice and faith in the common good.
How only we elders warmed ourselves on the fire of that unsullied youth on the last Sunday of January in, it seems to me, the biggest protest walk through the streets of this city.
***
Every evil, indeed, has its good: thanks to the cutting of the cypress, the civil Bar has finally spoken and I am firmly convinced that it will never be silent again.
And so the legend begins! And so the legend began!
***
I don't know the only one who informed Novak in Melbourne that the protest walk in Bar starts at noon and that he should end the duel with Nadal by then. I have a hunch that this was done by a prominent Bar dentist, who is also a fan of Novak, so that as many people as possible would hear about his smart daughter.
***
It takes place in the Atlasmont bank branch in Bar, where I have been receiving my salary for years. Long line, nervousness, inappropriate throwing and grumbling. Bank clerks are uncomfortable. Then the man took heart and said loudly: "People, what do the ladies behind these counters have to do with what is happening? They are always kind, expeditious, hardworking. And, after all, we will easily change the bank if we have to, and how will they find a new job?"
And in no time, the atmosphere in the office changes. The relieved smiles of the tired ladies brightened the man's day.
***
There are people who know how to do bad things; others do badly but think they are doing well; others have convinced themselves that what they are doing is the only right thing even though, not so long ago, they fiercely criticized those who did what they are doing today. These third ones are the most dangerous.
***
"Life is like that, it gives with one hand until the day comes when it takes everything with the other" - José Saramago: "Death and its whims".
Bonus video:
