They expect to harmonize the business, but they have not informed them about it

The Ministry of Culture and Media (MKM) is convinced that the Festival of International Alternative Theater FIAT, as proposed for obtaining the status of exceptional importance for the culture of Montenegro, will in the coming period harmonize its operations through the conditions prescribed by the Regulation on Criteria for Determining Manifestations and Festivals of Special Importance , for the culture of Montenegro. When all the prescribed conditions are met, the signing of tripartite contracts between the Ministry, the Capital City of Podgorica and the festival, which due to its duration and way of doing business, deserves this kind of status.

This is written in the answers provided to "Vijesta" from the minister's department Maša Vlaović, in connection with the initiation of the procedure submitted by the Capital City of Podgorica at the beginning of the year. At the press conference before the start of FIAT, those present were visibly surprised and delighted by the initiative, but also ignorant.

In addition to FIAT, the initiative also includes the Underhill International Documentary Film Festival, the secretary of the Secretariat for Culture and Sports in Podgorica told "Vijesta" Ana Medigović.

Nine months after the submission of the initiative, there are no concrete conclusions. Director of FIAT, Ana Vukotić She told "Vijesti" that no one from the MKM contacted her or made any request on this occasion. She also says that she found out about the initiative only at a press conference on September XNUMX.

When asked by "Vijesti" regarding the procedure and communication with the ministry, Medigović said that meetings were arranged for the further development of the process.

"In the answer from the MKM, which arrived at the beginning of February 2023, it was stated that the possibility of granting the proposed status will be considered for the mentioned festivals, in accordance with the prescribed criteria. "Meetings have already been arranged where possible cooperation models will be considered, and in the coming period the public will be informed about their conclusions," said Medigović.

In the answers provided to "Vijesti" from the MKM, it was not specified whether they organized meetings on this topic and when, after considering the initiative, they reached some conclusions.

"The capital city, as the founder of FIAT, has expressed its interest in the festivals that are jointly financed with the MKM receiving the status of festivals of special importance, and on this occasion the Ministry of Culture and Media is in communication with them", they say and add that it is necessary that the festival " harmonize its operations through the conditions prescribed by the Regulation on criteria for determining manifestations and festivals of special importance for the culture of Montenegro".

In the Regulation, which is available on the website of the Government of Montenegro, it is written that manifestations and festivals of special importance for culture are determined according to criteria such as the continuous realization of program contents of public interest for culture, contribution to the recognizable international affirmation of Montenegro and its cultural and creative potential. , realization of cultural diversity, contribution to the encouragement and development of intercultural dialogue and stimulation of interregional and international partnership and communication, encouragement of new forms of artistic expression, recognizability of cultural and educational character, organization on a partnership basis with local self-government...

FIAT has enough arguments for obtaining that status, Vukotić is sure, and Medigović reminds that this is not the first initiative.

"It should be noted that a similar initiative was sent to the Ministry in 2019 (specifically for FIAT), when several meetings were held with the then management, but no official solution was reached because the corona virus pandemic soon followed, and then the change of leadership in the Ministry" , she said.

MKM says that they are open to cooperation in order to resolve this issue as soon as possible.

"In this regard, the MKM remains open to cooperation and communication with the capital, as the founder of the festival, in order to resolve this issue in the prescribed manner, in the earliest possible period", they stated.