Association of Entertainment Artists and Performers: TO Podgorica humiliates local musicians

The Association of Entertainers and Performers of Montenegro announced that it is disappointed with the decision of the Podgorica Tourist Organization to "almost completely exclude Montenegrin musicians" from the list of performers for the New Year's market.

As stated in a statement signed by the president of the Association, Danijel Alibabić, the program, which is presented as the "pride of Podgorica", features only one domestic name, and the rest of the list is reserved for performers from the region.

"We consider this move humiliating towards the domestic music scene and an indicator of a complete misunderstanding of the role and importance of Montenegrin artists in creating the cultural identity of our city and state. The tourist organization, which is supposed to promote local values ​​and domestic creators, has obviously decided to use citizens' money to finance musicians from other countries, while telling Montenegrin artists that they are not welcome in their own city," the statement reads.

They add that two years ago, when Montenegrin performers performed at the New Year's market, "the square was packed, the atmosphere was unforgettable, and the citizens were overjoyed." They emphasize that domestic music has an audience, emotion, and quality, but that it seems that "everyone except those who, by the nature of their job, should be the first to know about it" recognizes this.

"We call on the Tourist Organization of Podgorica to explain to the public the criteria on the basis of which domestic performers were almost completely left out of the program, and to finally stop the practice of underestimating Montenegrin artists, and by that we mean the possibility of their subsequent inclusion - as a 'consolation prize' - in the role of a supporting program in their city and country. The Association of Entertainers and Performers of Montenegro will not remain silent in the face of injustice and systematic neglect of our members and colleagues," the statement reads.

They emphasize that Montenegrin musicians deserve to be heard, "not only when they need to fill a void, but when they need to proudly represent Montenegro in front of its citizens and guests."