The Natural History Museum of Montenegro exhibition titled "Botanical Time Machine through Bjelopavlić" was opened in the Native Museum in Danilovgrad.
"Scientific research of the flora of this area began in the 19th century and numerous foreign and domestic botanists passed through the Bjelopavlić plain, were delighted with its nature and left a written mark in scientific and professional works with their observations. Based on these and other available sources, our botanists extracted the essence that consists of the most important and interesting data, which is only a small part of what this region offers in terms of biological diversity, both flora, fauna and fungi," she said. Ph.D Natalia Čađenović, director of the Natural History Museum of Montenegro.
The authors of the exhibition are museum advisers in the Collection of Flowering Plants in the Natural History Museum of Montenegro, dr Nada Drumming and others Snow White Vuksanovic, and the idea of realizing the project arose when the Natural History Museum received a herbarium of the professor's descendants as a gift Jealousy Besic which was formed during the preparation of his master's thesis.
"Snežana and I also tried to depict the historical part of the flora of Bjelopavlić, so we set aside one segment for botanists who passed through this area long ago. We have dedicated a special accent among those researchers and a special part of this exhibition to Ljubomir Bešić, who in the 70s collected plants in this area and was engaged in researching the flora and vegetation of this area. His herbarium was the initial capsule for organizing and presenting this exhibition," said Bubanja.
The aim of the exhibition, according to her, is to point out the importance of the herbariums themselves, both through the herbarium of Bešić and through other herbariums.
Part of the exhibition is dedicated to significant habitats in the area of the Bjelopavlić plain, so visitors, in addition to plants, can also get to know the different types of animals that live in these habitats.
The authors reminded that the geographical location and relief, geological, pedological, climatic and hydrographic characteristics are the main factors that have caused a mosaic of diverse aquatic, meadow and mountain habitats in the area of the Bjelopavlić plain, and in connection with this, great floristic richness and diversity.
It is estimated that about a thousand plant species grow in this area, which is almost a third of the total flora of Montenegro.
"In the central part of the exhibition, we tried to create a collage of flora and plants that grow in the area of the Bjelopavlić plain, so we singled out some endemic species protected by both national and international legislation. We also included, for us botanists, very important plants, medicinal, aromatic and honey-bearing types of plants", said Bubanja, with the hope that visitors to the exhibition will enjoy the botanical time machine that the two have prepared.
Vice President of the Municipality of Danilovgrad, Marija Radonjic Cupic, pointed out that the guest exhibition of the Natural History Museum is also a good prelude to the rich program that is to come as part of the celebration of December 9, the Day of Liberation of Danilovgrad.
"It is a special honor for me that with this exhibition, among other things, we are paying tribute to our famous botanist from Donji Selo, Professor Ljubomir Bešić, who researched the Bjelopavlić Plain in detail and whose data is considered the most comprehensive to this day. Knowing how many years of effort and work are behind this establishment, I once again feel indescribable pride in being a citizen of Danilovgrad, but also admiration that we had such scientists. Let this exhibition also be a reminder of our natural beauty and the strength of our community, which we will always cherish and spread," said Radonjić Ćupić.
The director of the Natural History Museum thanked both the Municipality of Danilovgrad and the Bešić family, emphasizing that she worked at the Natural History Museum Dubravka Bešić, as a museum conservator. She handed over a special thank you note Andrija Bešić, Ljubomir's grandson.
"Given that the largest part of the Rijeka Zeta Nature Park is located in the municipality of Danilovgrad, we see the opening of this exhibition only as the beginning of our cooperation with the Danilovgrad Cultural Center, but we expect the establishment and development of cooperation with other individuals and institutions from this municipality on other topics as well to which we can contribute through the cultural, educational and scientific role of the Natural History Museum," said Čađenović.
The students of the "Vasa Pavić" music school, regional department in Danilovgrad, also took part in the exhibition opening program.
With the exhibition "Botanical Time Machine through Bjelopavlić", the Natural History Museum presented itself to the Danilovgrad audience for the first time.
The exhibition will be open until March 1, 2025.
Bonus video:
