Beginning in 1988. Reconstruction and construction after the catastrophic earthquake near the end. The economy is stable, in full development, without losses. High and regular salaries. In reality, there are almost no unemployed. Social activities - education, health, culture, physical culture, keeping up with the economy. Most schools work in one shift, the new Hospital, the Health Center also, clinics in all local centers.
Restored cultural-historical monuments and cultural objects. A sports center was built, with a suitable football stadium and a tartan track. Sports teams in the highest level of competition of that great country. Infrastructure (water, electricity, telephones) for another city. Rural roads paved, villages electrified, many waterworks completed, rural houses beautiful and comfortable. In the city, new buildings, streets, market, bus station, marina. By the sea, hotels have been renovated, some new ones have been built, as well as many houses and villas for a comfortable life and for receiving guests. A large number of tourists. Season from April to October. Simply, it was imposed: Rest a little and have fun. Bread (has) and games.
Slobodan Milatović, a director from Titograd, one of the founders of DODEST and at that time already established, and one of the generation that is still very successful today, whom I barely knew then, comes to my office (I was the president of the Executive Board of the municipality of Bar - vlast , God saw you) with a roll of paper and a story.
Roughly, "At least it could and should make a good summer festival, (Budva already started the Grad Theater' the previous year) to entertain its tourists as well as the local population. It wouldn't cost much. I have a working title – 'Bar Chronicle', a program outline, and Aca Popović has also started writing the dramatic text of 'Vladimir and Kosara'".
Sufficient even for my not very refined hearing. A good idea, and there was no shortage of pretensions. It was a Bar that could do a lot. And it was known. The idea was supported by the Executive Board, the President of the Municipality Jusuf Kalamperović and the DPO (socio-political organization). The rest was a matter of routine. The program of the first Bar yearbook was drawn up, the organizing committee was formed, financial resources were provided in the most logical way - from part of the residence tax, with the unanimous consent of the Municipal Assembly. The chronicle could begin.
The program relied on cultural manifestations that were already established, such as the "Red Shirts". The "Crvena Jabuka" concert in the old town caused enthusiasm among the younger generation, and the poetry evening of Bora Đorđević (Bora Čorba) in Knjaževa Bašta gave the organizer a headache.
Namely, the "keepers of order" filed a misdemeanor report for reciting the already published song "Crni Mercedes", and the misdemeanors tried to condemn Boro as well.
Brought Bor from Belgrade with all the lawyer and old professor Perović, to make a statement. He also gave me a book, where the poem was published, with the dedication "To the leadership of the municipality of Bar, let him see what the matter is". Of course, Bora was not convicted. But the song was educational. The soon-to-arrive new government immediately sold the Mercedes. They are still cracking up now.
The chronicle took its course, according to the program, along the entire coast. Tourists are a little surprised, the citizens of Bar too, but approval is everywhere. Refreshment.
The main event of the yearbook was the drama "Vladimir and the Kosara". The author of the text, Aca Popović, was the greatest living playwright of Yugoslavia at the time, present at all rehearsals until the premiere. Director Slobodan Milatović with several very valuable accomplishments in (until then) 15-year work. Famous actors - in fact a real team: Boro Begović, Varja Đukić, Mladen Nelević and others.
Premiere, and where else, at Prečista Krajinska in Ostros. Dated August 20, 1988. (On the same day, at 12 o'clock, on Titograd's largest asphalt surface - Ivan Milutinović Square, at a temperature at which the "brain boils", some people, who, after all, defended Kosovo Polje, and today sell Lješkopolje as well, started were to light the seventh flame. Unfortunately, they lit it. The other six burned with it.)
At the premiere were Marko Orlandić and Stipe Šuver, two from the very top of Yugoslavia at the time, but also Jovan Ćirilov, the very top of the theater workers of that good country. And, of course, many others.
The night in Ostros is fairytale-bright and quiet. Like, or just a pilgrimage. A large number of those with invitations, but many more from the surrounding villages, in national costumes. It's all a stage. A night not to be forgotten. Or, as I heard Boro Begović's daughter say at the end of the play, "Daddy, you should have been born for this night".
The drama "Vladimir i Kosara" was a guest at BITEF that year, which is a special recognition. Then we also met Mira Trailović, a legend of the Yugoslav theater, and "reconciled" with Boro Čorba.
A beautiful council was in Virpazar. Something like the closing of the first Bar Chronicle. Crmnica evening. An exhibition of paintings by Nikola Gvozdenović, promotion of books by Pavel Mijović and Jovan Vukmanović, a poetry and music program on cones under the bridge and pier, with the witty Seka Sablić and the inspired presenter Novica Pekić. Of course, with Crmnica wine and fish. We were also there when it dawned.
Even after twenty-five summers, everything is still woven into me. Even the details. It is a pleasure to remember that time and those people, some of whom, unfortunately, are no longer with us. All thanks to them on the occasion of the jubilee.
Shortly after the first Bar Chronicle, history took a different course. The cannons spoke, and then, by definition, "the muses fell silent".
The chronicle has survived, in spite of everything, which should be thanked to all who made it possible. To the pride of Aries and to the satisfaction of both Aries and numerous tourists. Of course, numerous participants from much wider areas.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary, while the memories are clear, while the vast majority of contemporaries are in good condition.
Never to be forgotten.
Bonus video:
