The Olive Festival in Stari Bar has been held for more than two decades and every year for three days the spirit of olive growing, tourism, culture and history of the town under Rumija comes to life. This year, on Bar Day, November 24, Barani and their guests will enjoy the unique energy and offer on the cobblestones of Starobar and Bar's olive groves.
Maslinijada, in terms of originality and authenticity, is at the very top of agricultural, touristic and cultural events in Montenegro. Through all these years, more content pervades, primarily for farmers - olive growers, because it is a kind of review of their hard work, production of olive oil, table olives and other products.
This is what Suljo Mustafić, chairman of the NGO "Maslinijada" from the organizing committee, told "Vijesta". He added that they are always accompanied by their friends beekeepers, winemakers and producers of medicinal plants who also exhibit their products, so the event is also an exhibition of other agricultural products and traditional bar cuisine.
At the same time, according to Mustafić, it has certainly become a tourist brand, because in order to see the Maslinijada, thousands of people visit the Stari Bar on those days, and its cultural and musical content attracts visitors of all generations.
"We are especially glad that with the launch of the Olive Festival in 2002, the renovation of the Old Bar, its bazaar and numerous catering and tourist facilities began, so that the whole area got a different face and a different ambiance, which is becoming more and more attractive on the tourist map offers of our country", he said.
He also recalled the time when a few of them, enthusiasts and lovers of olive growing and Stari Bar, started organizing the first event in 2002, and they wanted to draw the public's attention to the fact that olive growing needs to be returned, revitalized, dedicated to a new and a more modern way, to produce better and better quality oil, that Stari Bar should be revived as a tourist destination, and that the Bar climate should preserve and present its cultural offer in the best possible way.
That best way implies nurturing all the cultures and traditions that adorn these areas and showing that color of different ethnographic peculiarities.
"Maslinijada managed to do that, and we see in this a great satisfaction for our volunteer work and dedication that has lasted for more than two decades. We are glad that young people have joined us in the organization, which indicates that the dedication and commitment of the organizers will be a constant companion of the event in the future as well", he said.
The Olive Festival is held outdoors and depends on weather conditions, so its date is always flexible.
This year, the 22nd Olive Festival in a row, is planned for November 22, 23 and 24, if the weather and forecast are favorable. It will start on Friday with the paths of the olive groves, that is, with a tour of the old olive groves, where he is always reminded of traditions, customs and points out the need to preserve them, and ancient olive groves and beautiful customs.
"Ancient olive groves are increasingly threatened by neglect, but also by the expansion of construction and uncontrolled urbanism. Also, in the House of Olives, there will be an interesting educational lecture by our expert friends from Croatia about the need to protect old olive groves, as well as the overall protection of olives and the production of quality oil," he said.
On Saturday, November 23, as a central event, a ceremonial opening, announcement of the best oils and exemplary maintained olive groves for this year is planned. In addition to tasting the exhibited products and visiting the stands, they will organize a rich cultural and entertainment program. The event will be accompanied by painting exhibitions, performances by famous drama artists, and several olive oil tastings are planned.
The third day, on Sunday, will also be rich in artistic and entertainment content, and exhibitors will also be offering their products along the entire street, at stands. Sunday is traditionally well attended, so, as Mustafić said, he will try to make it colorful both in terms of musical and cultural content.
"This manifestation has a long tradition, however, from year to year, we try to complete it with new content, so it will be the same this year, both when it comes to the education of olive growers, and in terms of music and art. With the opening of the House of Olives and its revival, created are new possibilities", said Mustafić.
In his opinion, it is also important that the Municipality of Bar recognized the event as the main city festival and supports it as a sponsor year after year together with the Tourist Organization. They also receive significant help from the Ministry of Agriculture.
There is a lot of interest, he said, even though this year, in terms of the traditional variety "žutica", was not fertile. However, other olive varieties produced well, so considerable quantities of new oil were produced, which will be evaluated.
"We are sure that the quality will be confirmed, because we have a significant number of applicants in the competition category. We are glad that producers from Boka, Budva, Podgorica, Tuza and Zeta are also applying, which means that Maslinijada gathers all Montenegrin olive growers, with different varieties and different types of olive oil", he said.
This is the first Olive Festival of the formation of the "Kuća maslina" bar society. As its executive director Marija Markoč told "Vijesta", they support the most significant, traditional agricultural and touristic event.
The Olive House will continue the program on November 26, when the International Olive Day is celebrated, and as part of the Bar Municipality Day Program - 80 years since liberation.
Namely, as part of the International Olive Day, Kuća Maslina will show the documentary series "Tastes of Culture", an author's project of Bubulj Productions, supported by the Municipality of Bar, which shows the richness of the Bar cuisine and the immeasurable importance of the intangible cultural heritage of our city.
"In addition to the above, Kuća maslina establishes the award "Dr. Ksenija Miranović", in honor of the figure and work of the lady who laid the foundations of Montenegrin olive growing. The successful organization of "Montenegrin Sofre Evenings" in the House of Olives guarantees the commitment of that society in the combination of tradition and innovation in the agricultural heaven," said Markoč.
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