UMUCG: Ceca Ražnatović's concert presents Tivat as a cheap and retrograde tourist destination, cancel it

The Association of Young Artists of Montenegro (UMUCG) has asked the Tivat Tourist Organization and the Municipality of Tivat to cancel the announced New Year's concert by Svetlana Ceca Ražnatović at Pine in Tivat.

They addressed an open letter to the director of the Tivat Tourist Organization, Nina Lakičević, and the president of the Tivat Municipality, Željko Komnenović.

"Dear Mrs. Lakičević and Dear Mr. Komnenović,

"We are writing to you regarding the announced New Year's concert by Ceca Ražnatović at Pine in Tivat, with the desire to point out the harmfulness of such decisions for the image and cultural development of the city and the state. At a time when Montenegrin society is trying to make progress towards European standards and overcome the post-war legacy that is marked by the degradation of society and the system of values ​​in this region, Ceca Ražnatović's concert in Tivat is devastating. Such content, in addition to having a negative impact on the younger generation, presents Tivat as a cheap and retrograde tourist destination, which is completely inconsistent with the image, potential and international reputation that this city has been building for years," the open letter states.

The UMUCG added that they believe that Tivat, considering its position and tourist potential, must position itself as a global, modern and progressive destination, and not as a provincial and staged environment.

"This is, among other things, best reflected in the selection of cultural and entertainment content that the local government and the tourist organization finance and promote. As a positive example of tourism development, we point to the Budva Tourist Organization, which is hiring the world-famous performer Black Coffee to close the season. This selection represents a good balance between popular culture intended for the widest audience and undoubted musical quality, thus promoting Montenegro on a regional and global level and attracting a wide range of guests," the statement reads.

The UMUCG said that they believe that Tivat has all the prerequisites to follow similar practices, hiring internationally relevant contractors, adapted to its specificities.

"Because of all the above, we call on the Municipality of Tivat and the Tivat Tourist Organization to reconsider their decision and cancel the announced performance of Ceca Ražnatović, and to redirect citizens' budget funds to cultural content that befits the reputation of this city. If necessary, we make ourselves available to help, from a professional perspective and in cooperation with relevant stakeholders from the cultural sector, in creating a quality cultural program that will be massively visited, but which will also contribute to the international image of Tivat and Montenegro as a globally recognizable destination," the UMUCG writes in an open letter to the director of the Tivat Tourist Organization Nina Lakičević and the president of the Municipality of Tivat Željko Komnenović.