The Thirteenth of July Award was presented to Šćepanović, Kalaj and Savić

The Thirteenth of July Award, the highest state award, was presented today to sculptor Miodrag Šćepanović, professor David Kalaj and doctor Svetozar Savić.

The award was presented to this year's laureates by the President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Ivan Brajović, at a ceremony in Villa Gorica.

Brajović said that on all Montenegrin roads, "clear and in the dark, there were people who knew how, and said where, and sooner or later they suffered, or were rewarded for their attitudes and visions, restrained or motivated in their actions and deeds - how who, and how which".

"But there were those who were, are and will be a mirror and guidepost of advanced Montenegro," said Brajović.

According to him, today they were awarded, yesterday they were second, and tomorrow they will be third.

"But they all know very well that taking the Thirteenth of July award means carrying the mark of Montenegro, the burden of challenges and decisions, and I am happy that these people have become a landmark of the famous Montenegro," Brajović pointed out.

He said that work on enlightenment is the greatest task of society, and that a more enlightened Montenegro will be an even more desirable home for its citizens.

"In that name, I thank the winners of the Thirteenth of July Award for what they create among us, I congratulate them and wish them a long artistic and scientific work and contribution to the long and prosperous progress of Montenegro in the 21st century," said Brajović.

The decision on this year's laureates was made on June 26 by the Jury whose president was Gojko Kastratović, and whose members were Ilija Vujošević, Igor Lakić, Miomir Vojinović and Asim Dizdarević.

Kastratović said that, in the competition of 32 candidates, the Jury decided to award awards to Šćepanović, Kalaj and Savić, for works that have exceptional significance for Montenegro.

As he stated, Šćepanović was born in Kolašin in 1953, graduated from the Faculty of Fine Arts in Belgrade, is a member of the Association of Fine Artists of Montenegro and the Association Jesenji Salon from Paris.

He had 21 solo and 50 collective exhibitions in the country and abroad and was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions.

As explained by Kastratović, Šćepanović was recommended for the Thirteenth July Award by three exhibitions in the last two years.

According to Kastratović, Savić was recommended for the award by three prominent scientists in the field of biotechnology.

Savić was born in Nikšić in 1962, completed his basic studies at the Faculty of Agriculture in Novi Sad, and received his master's and doctorate degrees at the Faculty of Agriculture in Belgrade.

Kastratović stated that Savić had specializations and received certificates in Ljubljana, London, Zagreb, Michigan and Athens, and is the author of 11 professional publications and students.

Savić is employed in the Development Department of the Plantaže company, and at the same time is engaged as a senior research associate in the field of biotechnology at the Faculty of Biotechnology in Podgorica.

He was recommended for the Thirteenth of July Award by the Montenegrin Ampelography Monograph, published by the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts.

Kalaj was nominated for the Thirteenth of July Award by the professors of the University of Montenegro.

He was born in 1971 in Podgorica, completed his mathematics studies at the Faculty of Science and Mathematics in Podgorica, and received his master's and doctorate degrees in Belgrade.

He is a full professor at PMF, editor of several mathematical scientific journals, and winner of the Ministry of Science award for the most successful national project.

Since 2004, he has been leading a study program for teacher education in the Albanian language.

"The jury believes that the winners of the award, each in their own field, contributed to the development of science and art, not only at the level of Montenegro, but also abroad, thus representing the artistic and scientific scope of Montenegro to the wider international public," concluded Kastratović.

Savić, speaking on behalf of the awardees, said that they are very honored to be this year's laureates of the biggest Montenegrin state award.

He congratulated the jury for, as he stated, showing high professional and ethical qualities when evaluating the individual contributions of the candidates for this year's Thirteenth of July Award.

"With this, I do not want to in any way diminish the contribution of the other 29 candidates who, through science, culture, art and sport, contributed to the recognition of Montenegrin identity and uniqueness," emphasized Savić.

He said that all works, whether scientific or artistic, rely on each other and are the result of the author's expression.

"Montenegro faces great challenges, and one of the most difficult is how to improve and preserve its tradition and identity in today's dynamic trends, stemming from digital culture," said Savić.

He added that he believes that the works of all nominated candidates are a unique contribution to a better understanding of Montenegro.

"In addition to the state, institutions and companies, behind the author's contributions are mostly the great work and sacrifice of their families", concluded Savić.

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