At the session of the Municipal Assembly (MA) of Bijelo Polje, the initiative of the Bosniak Party (BS) to establish the Public Institution "Avdo Međedović" was adopted, thus fulfilling the coalition condition for the continuation of the exercise of power with the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS).
The adoption was preceded by a heated debate among opposition councilors.
At the end of last year, by leaving the Municipal Assembly session, BS blocked the work of the Assembly session, at which the Municipal budget was to be adopted, and negotiations lasted until the end of March.
As stated in the Initiative presented to the councilors, this public cultural institution, whose headquarters would be in Bijelo Polje, "would deal with culture, as well as the promotion of the figure and works of Avdo Međedović, an unjustifiably neglected great figure of epic creativity from Bijelo Polje and Montenegro."
"Given that Avdo Međedović is the most famous name in the literary world from the Balkans in America, and that the epic of this prominent author is studied at the famous Harvard University, and that there is no more famous Homerologist who has not also studied Avdo Međedović, there is a justified need to form a Public Institution in Bijelo Polje — Avdo Međedović's hometown — that will bear his name," the initiative states.
Avdo Međedović, as stated in the Initiative, is a world-renowned name in the field of literature.
"He is one of the greatest South Slavic epic poets, and his epic poem 'The Marriage of Smailagić Meha' has 12.311 verses and is as long as the Iliad and the Odyssey, which is why the American philologist Milman Perry, a researcher and professor at Harvard University from the first half of the 20th century, called him the 'Balkan Homer'. The epic 'The Marriage of Smailagić Meha' represents the most significant work of Bosniak oral literature. While this epic was studied in America at Harvard University, it was completely unknown in Montenegro," the initiative says.
The rapporteur of the Proposal for a Decision on the Establishment of this public institution, Secretary of the Secretariat for Local Self-Government Haris Malagić, presenting the Study on the Establishment of this institution, recalled that this is one of the greatest South Slavic epic poets.
Among other things, the Study states that it is necessary for the Bijelo Polje Municipal Assembly to adopt a Decision on the establishment of the Public Institution "Avdo Međedović" and to ensure the provision of a budget, as well as the engagement of highly qualified and professional staff in the creation of program content and executive production of this institution.
"The Elaborate emphasizes as reasons for establishing the JU that this is the most famous name in the literary world from the Balkans in America, and that the epic of this prominent creator is studied at the famous Harvard University, and that there is no more famous Homerologist who has not also studied Avdo Međedović."
There is a justified need to establish a public institution in Bijelo Polje, the hometown of Avdo Međedović, that will bear his name.
"Bijelo Polje, as a city recognized for its true cultural values in the country and the region, would complete its cultural offer by establishing the 'Avdo Međedović' Public Institution and thus become a city that fully affirms and values its cultural values," the reporter stated.
By establishing this institution, Malagić emphasized, Bijelo Polje and Montenegro are strengthening their position on the map of important cultural destinations, and thus opening the door for scientists, researchers, creators, students and professors, as well as interested consumers of culture to participate in the programs of this institution.
He explains that in this way, the Public Institution "Avdo Međedović" would fit into the overall cultural content of Bijelo Polje and Montenegro, and would also provide the necessary internationally recognizable subjectivity.
According to that document, the institution's personnel structure includes professionals, and the production is of a high quality and substantial level, which would ensure continuity of work on an annual basis and the participation of the most relevant participants from the international scene.
Further presenting the Study, Malagić stated that the goals of its formation are better positioning Bijelo Polje and Montenegro on the map of cultural destinations in the region and beyond, valorization and presentation of the literary work of Avdo Međedović, and presentation and valorization of Bosniak culture, as a special value in overall Montenegrin culture.
"Also, the goal of forming the 'Avdo Međedović' Public Institution is to introduce a new, reform course being implemented in the culture of Montenegro, which is openness towards cultural and intercultural dialogue, which modern society strives for."
According to the planned organizational system, the Public Institution 'Avdo Međedović' would have 10 to 15 employees, the institution's management body would be the Council, which would have five members, appointed by the founder, namely the Bijelo Polje Municipal Assembly, in accordance with local self-government regulations.
The method of providing funds and other conditions for the work of the institution would, according to that document, be provided from the municipal budget, in accordance with the annual work program of the institution and the budgetary capabilities of the municipality.
Krkalović: Employing 10 to 15 people in that public administration is a lot for the Municipality
After the Elaborate on the Establishment was presented, a heated debate ensued between opposition and government councilors.
New Serbian Democracy (NSD) councilor Ranko Krkalović expressed concern about the stratification of culture, starting from the "Vojislav Bulatović Strunjo" Cultural Center, through the "Ratković Poetry Evenings" Public Institution, and ending with this new proposal.
"And many other things that somehow weaken the size and strength of the 'Vojislav Bulatović Strunjo' Cultural Center. We want to employ 10 to 15 or more people, that's quite a lot for this city. Whether it's a political hiring or a matter of culture, that could be discussed, without disputing either the name or the work that the institution should carry. Will we accommodate that institution like we accommodated the Agency for the Conservation of Natural Resources, they're sprouting up so fast that I can't even remember them, in 20 square meters. Will we equip it with personnel like we equipped that agency, and many, many more questions," said Krkalović.
In the first round of the debate, Democratic Councilor Marko Đukić was warned by the President of the Municipal Assembly Selma Omerović that he would be deprived of his floor, after he said that the establishment of the Public Enterprise "Avdo Međedović" was a concession from the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS) to the Bosniak Party (BS) in order for them to agree to continue to exercise power together. After that, he was deprived of his floor.
"Follow the rules of procedure, you can only comment on the proposed decision," said Omerović, and after Đukić continued to talk about the establishment of that institution as a concession that DPS had to agree to, he was cut off from speaking.
Dr. Adnan Striković from the European Union (EU) said that it is not true that this is a proposal from only one (Bosniak) party.
"I would not sit in this parliament, I would not be part of the government if I allowed any political party to implement its agenda through the branch of government, through what I should raise my hand for. If we are talking about the establishment of the 'Avdo Međedović' Public Institution being a political decision, all decisions that this parliament and the city make can, in a way, be viewed as political. But if it were a decision of one party, that is absolutely not the case. And as for proposals, we have always adopted decisions, perhaps some that you proposed, so we could say that you are adopting them," said Dr. Striković, emphasizing that their content is more important than who proposes the decisions.
During the discussion, Đukić said that Striković, who was the PR of the DPS during the negotiations between the DPS and the Bosniak Party, has now become the PR of the Bosniak Party.
Đukić: BS and DPS fought for political spoils, not the interests of citizens
Councilor Marko Đukić said that after several months of political blackmail, ultimatums and accusations against the local government, the only major announcements made by the Bosniak Party were the distribution of functions and the acquisition of the "Avdo Međedović" public enterprise.
He resented the fact that the BS councilors did not even deign to come to the session, but left the president of the municipal council, Selma Omerović (who belongs to BS), to defend them by abusing her position.
"For months, citizens have been listening to stories about the catastrophic state of the city, the poor performance of the Mayor and the alleged need to 'save Bijelo Polje'. Today, however, we see that the same people who made the most serious accusations have sat down at the same table again and continued their cooperation without any substantial changes. This clearly shows that the fight was not for the interests of citizens, but for political gain and the preservation of positions. It is particularly irresponsible that topics such as the Hadžidanuša Mosque were used for political pressure, even though this is an issue that has already been resolved through the institutions of the system. The citizens of Bijelo Polje need responsible politics, not political performances that start with a story about 'saving the city' and end with the division of functions and public institutions," said Đukić.
The possible location of the Regional Waste Management Center was also discussed.
At the session of the local parliament, among other things, the Proposal for a Decision on determining potential locations for the construction of the Bijelo Polje Regional Waste Management Center was discussed.
At a recent public hearing on determining the location for the construction of the Regional Waste Management Center, residents of Zaton strongly opposed its construction in Zaton.
Assistant Secretary of the Secretariat for Rural and Sustainable Development Said Arslanović said that the municipality has been recognized as a regional waste management center for northern Montenegro by the current strategic document - the State Waste Management Plan of Montenegro for the period 2025-2029, as well as other planning documents.
"The proposed potential location in the Zaton settlement was determined based on parameters and initial analyses that included spatial conditions, undeveloped space and terrain configuration, traffic accessibility, distance from populated areas, existing utility infrastructure located in the immediate vicinity of the location, as well as basic ecological and hydrological criteria," he said, noting that the adoption of this decision creates conditions for further development of the project and implementation of legally prescribed procedures.
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