43rd Days of Music opened in Herceg Novi: An important platform for international cultural cooperation and exchange of artistic ideas

The chamber orchestra "Camerata Herceg Novi", under the baton of conductor Ivana Velikanova and world-renowned pianist Boris Kraljević, performed a concert at the opening of the 43rd International Festival Days of Music in Herceg Novi, one of the most important classical music events in Montenegro.

The audience rewarded the artists with an encore, acknowledging their excellent performance and carefully selected repertoire that included works by Mozart, Sibelius, Hindemith, and Montenegrin composer Miloš Raičković. Raičković followed the performance of his composition BAGDAD for strings from the audience, and then congratulated Velikanov and the orchestra on their excellent interpretation.

"Days of Music", as a festival of international repute, occupies a special place in the cultural identity of Herceg Novi, said the Mayor of the Municipality, Stevan Katić.

"That's why Herceg Novi is talked about on all continents because in previous years it has hosted great names in art music, soloists, conductors and ensembles who performed in the world's most prestigious opera houses and concert halls. They also brought their art to our audience. That is precisely why Herceg Novi is unique. There are few cities of our size that can boast such a rich artistic tradition and such strong international cultural ties," said Katić.

He thanked the artistic council of the "Days of Music" and maestro Boris Kraljević, whose work and artistic leadership contribute to the high reputation of the festival and the affirmation of his native Herceg Novi as a place of top-notch creativity and the meeting of cultures.

"I am convinced that this year's edition of the festival will bring unforgettable artistic moments and once again confirm that for Herceg Novi, culture is one of the foundations of community development and a value that we are obliged to preserve and promote," said Katić.

Forming over more than four decades as a meeting place for artists from all over the world, "Days of Music" have become an important platform for international cultural cooperation and the exchange of artistic ideas, said the festival's artistic director, Boris Kraljević.

"The mobility of artists and ideas, the creation of top-notch musical events, the merging of the past and the future, the meeting of different cultures and numerous musical personalities, the opening of new paths of artistic and social dialogue, cooperation and innovation, all of these, as essential elements of the Herceg Novi festival, are also components that attract visitors of the most diverse profiles. It is understandable that both artists and the audience equally strive for the better and more beautiful side of life," said Kraljević.

Tonight, at the Days of Music, the concert "Femme forte at piano" will be presented by pianist Ksenia Vokhmianina, dedicated to female composers from the 19th to the 21st centuries. Vokhmianina will perform at the Herceg Novi festival after 20 years when she was part of the Youth Podium program. The audience will be treated to works by Chaminade, Martines, Bonis, Tailleferre, Tatjana Prelević and Bacewiez from 9:30 p.m. in the "Park" hall.

The patrons of the 43rd Music Days are the Municipality of Herceg Novi and the Ministry of Culture and Media of Montenegro, the producer of the festival is JUK Herceg Fest, and support was provided by the Herceg Novi Tourist Organization, Portonovi, the Herceg Novi Music School and the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Montenegro.