The monument to the famous Herzegovinian mayor Mirko Komnenović (1870-1941) will be made based on the conceptual design of the academic sculptor Zoran Ivanović from Serbia.
The figural sculptural work, which honors the personality and work of the famous Novljan, the first mayor and benefactor, was chosen among seven works that were submitted between March 22 and June 21 this year. The decision was made by an expert jury consisting of: architects Srđan Marlović and Snežana Šunić Kolarić, academic sculptors Viktor Popović and Vukašin Milović, secretary for culture and education Ana Zambelić Pištalo; and the monument will be made and erected by the Municipality of Herceg Novi.
"The chosen sculptural solution achieves a worthy memory and a credible representation of the character of Mirko Komnenović, it represents a unique creation of emotional strength appropriate to the theme, whose task is to convey the message about the importance of Mirko Komnenović's work regardless of the age, origin, education, language or age of the users of the space" , stated from the local administration and explained that Mirko Komnenović was depicted in a mature period of his life, based on photo documentation from the period after the First World War.
"The proposal of the sculpture was created in the spirit of the classical sculptural form, which in an exceptional way evokes dignity, social position and character traits of the personality. The sculpture exudes accumulated energy, which is skillfully shaped into a figure of a calm and determined attitude. "He captivates with his intellectual, visionary and dignified spirit, and he leaves the observer with the impression of the steadfastness of his views and actions," the expert jury explained.
Mirko Komnenović was born on September 21, 1870 in Herceg Novi in an old captain's family. In the period from 1930 to 1941, he was the mayor of the Municipality of Herceg Novi and during that time he made a significant contribution to the development of the city, when special attention was paid to the construction of new and maintenance of existing roads, the arrangement of water and electricity networks. During his mandate, a fire brigade was formed in Herceg Novi, and a railway station was built in Škver. He is responsible for the opening of the Teachers' School in Herceg Novi, as well as for improving the working conditions in schools in Serbia. Komnenović's effort and involvement in enriching and beautifying the Boka hotel park with exotic and rare plants is great.
Mirko Komnenović was educated in Tivat, Maribor and Switzerland, spoke Italian, German, Russian and French, had acquaintances all over Europe, and Russia, Serbia, France and Czechoslovakia painted him for his work and merits.
Mirko and Olga Komnenović left a large legacy to their city. Today, the Museum of the City of Herceg Novi is located in their house.
In addition to erecting a memorial to Mirko Komnenović, the local administration plans to honor Zulfikar Zuk Džumhur and Jefta Gojković in the same way, but there are communication problems with the Administration for the Protection of Cultural Property.
According to Pištalo Zambelić, although they were assured at the meeting with the minister that they would soon receive the approval of the Administration for the architectural-conservation project that was submitted at the end of 2018, it is still pending, which slows down the implementation of legal procedures and planned activities.
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