National Museum of Montenegro: 130 years of existence and memory

Two anniversary exhibitions "Threads of Duration" and "Museum Through Time", organized by the National Museum of Montenegro to mark the 130th anniversary of its founding and 100th anniversary of its renewal, opened last night in Cetinje.

The exhibition "Threads of Duration" was presented on all four floors of the Montenegrin Art Gallery "Miodrag Dado Đurić", presenting all museum units of the National Museum, while the exhibition "Museum through Time" was opened in Njegoš's Billiards and shows the history of the institution itself - from Njegoš's first collections in the 19th century, to the modern National Museum of Montenegro.

"In celebrating this extraordinary anniversary, we should not forget that we are part of an imposing mosaic in which the greatest civilizational values ​​of our planet are embedded and that the National Museum of Montenegro is worthily integrated into the cultural map of the world," said the art historian, opening the exhibition. Ljiljana Zeković.

She emphasized that it should not be ignored, but rather acknowledged with respect, that the National Museum of Montenegro is a mirror image in which time is refracted, a witness to events in this region, from the past to the present, always active and ready for new developments in the field of knowledge and learning.

"It is a beacon of spirituality that preserves and nurtures our identity characteristics, our relationship to the world, which it does not allow us to forget, but rather confronts us with ourselves through authentic material and archival heritage. It also warns us not to let anything be forgotten, because that would be the end of our existence and duration in these areas. In fact, the Museum is like history: a teacher of life, a witness of time, a light of truth, a life of memory, a messenger of antiquity, as well as a rainbow of life that illuminates our spiritual path based on collective memory as a prerequisite for the humanistic values ​​of every civilized society," said Ljiljana Zeković.

Director of the National Museum of Montenegro Jakša Ćalasan He said that 130 years since its founding and 100 years since its restoration are not just numbers, but an opportunity to remind ourselves of the importance of the museum as an institution that endures, preserves our memory and shows us where we started, where we are today and where we can go next.

"The National Museum collects and preserves everything that this country and its people have created, collected and left behind throughout the centuries, as a testimony to our existence, identity and culture. What we inherit today did not come about by itself. It was preserved thanks to generations of people who dedicated their knowledge, time and life's work to this institution," said Ćalasan and thanked all previous and current colleagues who, with their work, effort and dedication, have incorporated a part of themselves into the existence and development of the National Museum.

The exhibition "Threads of Duration" will be on display until October 11, while the exhibition "Museum through Time" will be in the gallery space of Biljarde throughout this year and next. During the exhibitions, expert guided tours of the exhibitions, lectures on the history of the museum, collections and key artists, creative workshops for children and young people, as well as thematic workshops related to the preservation of cultural heritage, restoration and museum work will be organized.

Director of the Directorate for Cultural Heritage of the Ministry of Culture of Montenegro, Dobrila Vlahović She pointed out that, in a time of jubilee, which testifies to the depth of our roots and the unbreakable strength of our contemporary existence, it is precisely this year 2026 that unites us in celebrating centuries-old continuity and modern renewal.

On the occasion of the jubilee and marking 20 years since the restoration of Montenegro's independence, admission to the National Museum is free for citizens of Montenegro from May 11 to 23.