The central celebration of the Union of Associations of NOR Fighters and Anti-Fascists (SUBNORA) of Montenegro on the occasion of Victory over Fascism Day and Europe Day was held on the monument plateau in Grahovac.
Sonja Nikčević, president of UBNOR and anti-fascists of Nikšić, said that today, together with SUBNOR of Montenegro, they are marking 167 years since the Battle of Grahovac and 80 years since the victory over fascism.
"Montenegro's freedom vertical has marked its thousand-year existence. Centuries of history that record the constant struggle for the greatest ideal of freedom and survival in the environment of great powers that, guided by their own interests, sought to subdue this proud and defiant people, make us proud and at the same time oblige us to remember and commemorate with respect," said Nikčević.
As she pointed out, after this decisive battle, Grahovac became one of the most famous heights in Montenegro, a sanctuary of freedom where the fate of the country and people was decided in difficult times and historical adversity.
"The significance of the Battle of Grahovac for Montenegro was immeasurable and fateful. It led to the recognition of its independence. The victory at Grahovac led to the formation of the Great Powers Commission for the demarcation of the border with the Ottoman Empire. This demarcation marked the fact that Montenegro had de facto, although not de jure, gained international recognition of its independence," she said, adding that Montenegro must remember its past today in order to step into the future with open eyes.
"As then and today, only a free and independent Montenegro can be respected and become a full member of the European Union, which also celebrates this bright date, May 9th, as its day, the Day of Victory over Fascism. May the heroism and significance of the Battle of Grahovac, the exploits of all Montenegrin heroes, the greatness of the July XNUMXth insurgents, anti-fascists and fighters of the National Liberation War never be forgotten. Glory to them," she said.
Dragan Mitov Đurović, Secretary General of SUBNOR, said that we have no right to forget "our bright history".
"The landmarks of that history are from Tuđemil, through Careva Laz, Fundina, Martinić, through Krus and Vučji do, and Grahovac gathered all of that into one freedom-loving torch," said Đurović.
As he pointed out, they do not only commemorate the great victories of the past, but "we also draw a legacy and a lesson for our victories, to leave Montenegro free, as our ancestors left it to us." He pointed out that Montenegro lost its independence in 1918 and became a banate from a kingdom, but that between the wars and during World War II it showed what kind of fighters and heroes it had.
"It all started from Belvedere, the July 13th Uprising. There was Neretva, Sutjeska, Jajce, Igđan, and Jelin Zub... Wherever Montenegrin flags were raised high, let us raise them today. Every day for Montenegro, especially at this social moment, is July XNUMXth," said Đurović.
The speech was followed by a cultural and artistic program, and the host of the celebration, Miro Nikolić, emphasized that from Grahovac, in "these troubled times" they want to send a message - "that we are here and that we will always be there."
Bonus video:
