On the occasion of commemorating the 60th anniversary of the Nikšić Archive Department, an exhibition of documents "Expressions of admiration through letters and congratulations to King Nikola in 1910" was opened in the foyer of the Nikšić Theater by Violeta Krivokapić, head of the Nikšić Archive Department. Visitors had the opportunity to see 18 greeting cards and over 36 documents on 100 panels that were technically prepared by Vukota Vukotić and Jelena Nikolić, while Srđan Pejović was in charge of professional and scientific processing.
"The goal of such thematic exhibitions is to popularize the Montenegrin archival activity and raise awareness of the need for comprehensive protection of archives, as a general asset of historical, cultural, documentary and often cultural assets. This type of presentation is an opportunity to learn about the specific professional work performed by archivists in order to provide and preserve the archival city for future generations and make it available for use," said Mirjana Kapisoda, assistant director of the State Archives of Montenegro, opening the exhibition.
As she pointed out, Violeta Krivokapić and her colleagues, "thanks to their inherent archival sensibility", selected documents from the archive funds of the Court Administration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and "virtually conjured up a veritable archipelago of individual and collective events, events and manifestations" like a mosaic.
"While most of the Balkan states were searching Europe for a ruling dynasty from one of the houses of noble, famous and ancient origin, Montenegro raised its ruling family from among its own population. The importance of the Montenegrin Petrović-Njegoš dynasty grew along with the expansion and strengthening of the Cmogor state. The two-century tradition and leading role in Montenegrin society, the indisputable enormous historical merits and the series of great personalities that this house gave to Montenegro, ensured its reputation and popularity beyond the borders of the country", said Kapisoda and added that the popularity of King Nikola "especially increased at the end of the 19th century, when kinship ties were established with the oldest lineages of Europe - the Romani and Savoys.
The Vice President of the Municipality, Sonja Nikčević, reminded that the Archive Department was founded on September 1, 1959 and that for six decades it fulfilled the role of "guardian of heritage".
"60 years of the Archives Department is a jubilee that obliges everyone, primarily archivists from whom modern society expects more and more. For six decades of existence and activity in Nikšić, the Archive slowly entered the processes of transition and modernization and worthily fought for its place, status and treatment in our city and state, as well as in the surrounding area, and we hope that it will continue to be so in the future and that it will worthily preserve Montenegrin heritage through the culture of memory," said Nikčević.
The author of the exhibition said that she and her colleagues are looking for traces of the past through documents, and that the proclamation of King Nikola in 1910 as the sovereign of Montenegro represents a significant place in that past. According to many, it is the most significant event in the recent history of Montenegro, she pointed out and added that letters and congratulations show sympathy, admiration and respect for the people of Montenegro, and above all for King Nikola.
Bonus video:
