Njegoš's mausoleum on Lovćen is a symbol of freedom, Montenegrin culture and spirituality, Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović said.
As announced by the Ministry of Culture and Media, Vujović, on the occasion of half a century since the opening of the Njegoš mausoleum, said that its importance extends through cultural, historical, architectural, spiritual, and touristic aspects, making it one of the most important monuments in Montenegro.
According to her, the mausoleum is not only the resting place of the great Montenegrin poet and ruler Petar II Petrović Njegoš, but a symbol of freedom, Montenegrin culture and spirituality.
"50 years ago, on July 28, 1974, the Mausoleum on Lovćen was solemnly opened in honor of the Montenegrin ruler, bishop and poet of struggle and freedom, Petar II Petrović Njegoš, built according to the design of the great architect and sculptor Ivan Meštrović," Vujović reminded.
As she added, the then president of the presidency of the Federal Republic of Montenegro, Veljko Milatović, who opened the Mausoleum, pointed out that it is the greatest monument to Njegoš, "to his libertarian wishes - a free Montenegro, in a free community of equal peoples and nationalities of socialist and non-aligned Yugoslavia".
The mausoleum, as she said, represents one of the most attractive cultural and historical buildings in Montenegro.
She emphasized that the mausoleum, which is located in an environment that leaves no visitor indifferent, is visited by almost 70 thousand people annually".
"Njegoš's mausoleum, an inseparable part of Lovcen, is a symbol of freedom and preservation of individuality," said Vujović.
She added that Njegoš, whose date of birth is celebrated as a national holiday of culture, was a key figure in the formation of Montenegrin statehood and culture.
"And his mausoleum is a testimony of his influence and importance that we want to show to the world, far beyond the borders of our country. The mausoleum on Lovćen is a place where his literary, intellectual and spiritual heritage is honored," said Vujović.
As stated in the announcement, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the opening of Njegoš's mausoleum in Lovcen, the National Museum organized the exhibition "Spark in the Stone".
"Which follows the path of construction of the mausoleum, from the first ideas about construction during the twenties of the twentieth century, through attempts to build it around the centenary of Njegoš's death, to the final construction and opening in the seventies of the last century," the announcement says.
The exhibition was opened in the Montenegrin art gallery "Miodrag Dado Đurić" in Cetinje, and the display can be viewed until September 2.
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