Montenegrin President Jakov Milatović, on the eve of May 21st - Independence Day, decorated nine people who, as announced by the President's Office, have indebted Montenegro with their work and deeds.
At the ceremony at the Cetinje Residence, Duško Jovanović was posthumously awarded, and the laureates were also Zoran Rašović, Tatjana Motrenko Simić, Vanja Ćalović Marković, Snežana Dragićević, Goran Radević, Dejan Savicević, Mirsad Serhatlić and Božidar Ivanović.
Milatović pointed out that decorations in Montenegro have a long tradition, dating back to Njegoš, who established the first decorations in 1841.
"Throughout the past almost 200 years, of ups and downs, people have been our greatest wealth and inexhaustible resource. Numerous individuals, following the path of their ancestors, have made a special contribution to the development of our country in the recent history of Montenegro, whose restoration of independence we are celebrating tomorrow," said Milatović.
He said that today's ceremony is just the beginning of a more adequate attitude towards deserving individuals who have given and are giving of themselves in building a better, fairer and more prosperous Montenegro, leaving an obligation to future generations to continue on the path of development and democratization of the country.
As announced by the President's Office, the founder and editor-in-chief of the newspaper Dan, Duško Jovanović, who was murdered in front of the newspaper's editorial office on May 27, 2004, was posthumously honored at the ceremony.
Milatović stated that Jovanović was one of the most significant symbols of the journalistic profession and free speech in the country, "who paid with his life for the fight for a better and more just Montenegro."
"The posthumous decoration on behalf of Montenegro shows respect for his courage to be a messenger of free speech in difficult times, but also sends a strong message that we will never forget those who made the greatest sacrifice in the fight for truth and justice," the statement said.
It is stated that the award was also presented to Zoran Rašović, a retired full professor at the Faculty of Law of the University of Montenegro and Vice President of the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts.
"During his 43-year academic career, Rašović has achieved extremely significant achievements in scientific research and contributed to the dissemination of scientific knowledge, the creation of law, the realization of human rights and the rule of law," the statement says.
It is stated that since 1980, Rašović has been the author of 166 bibliographical units, of which around 40 are books, four university textbooks, several monographs, studies, and commentaries.
"He participated in the drafting of numerous laws in Montenegro and was the editor of several proceedings and bulletins of CANU and other publications. He made an immeasurable contribution to the transfer of general, scientific and professional knowledge and skills through teaching and research, as well as to the development of research-oriented higher education," the statement said.
The award was presented to both Montenegrin and international gynecologist and subspecialist in reproductive medicine, Tatjana Motrenko Simić, who is responsible for establishing the first state center for assisted reproduction in Montenegro, at the Danilo I General Hospital in Cetinje in 2013.
"During her career, she has assisted in the birth of more than a thousand babies through in vitro fertilization procedures. Her work has significantly influenced the development of reproductive medicine in our country and the region, encouraging innovation and better availability of assisted reproductive technologies in the Montenegrin healthcare system," the statement said.
It is stated that the award was also presented to the civic activist and executive director of the Network for the Affirmation of the Non-Governmental Sector (MANS), Vanja Ćalović Marković, who, as it is added, has consistently and responsibly pointed out corrupt processes and misuse of public resources over the past years.
"As part of her function as Executive Director of MANS and through her public appearances and activism, Ćalović Marković has been leading the fight for justice in Montenegro for more than 20 years," the statement added.
It is emphasized that for years Marković has pointed out numerous scandals and anomalies in society, suspicious privatizations, and her work has been recognized by globally credible authorities.
The recipient of the award is Snežana Dragićević, the only bryologist in Montenegro, who discovered a new species of plant in Štitari near Cetinje.
"In the 21st century and a time when there is a general impression that the possibilities for finding new plant species have been exhausted, her scientific feat greatly exceeds our borders, and in a wonderful way shows the international scientific and lay public the richness and diversity of Montenegrin biodiversity," the statement says.
It is said that Dragićević laid the foundations for the future of the botanical discipline that studies mosses.
Milatović's office said that the award was also presented to Goran Radević, a successful Montenegrin businessman, owner of the "Radević Estate Winery", which has become a renowned brand and has won numerous awards at European and world wine competitions.
"Today, the wines of the Radević Winery are exported to the United States, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Switzerland, China and Japan," the president's office said.
They added that in this way, with exceptional diligence and dedicated work and contribution to Montenegrin winemaking, industry and economy, Radević also made a significant contribution to positioning Montenegro on the world wine map.
The award was also presented to the President of the Football Association (FSCG) Dejan Savićević, a celebrated athlete and symbol of Montenegrin and Yugoslav football, for his contribution to the recognition of Montenegrin sport.
"Football fans in Montenegro remember him from the time when he wore the jersey of Budućnost Podgorica, while he reached the heights of football glory in the jerseys of Red Star Belgrade and Milan, with whom he was the European club champion in 1991 and 1994," the statement says.
It is stated that, after the restoration of independence, Savićević was elected the first president of the FSCG, under whose leadership the Federation was admitted to FIFA and UEFA in 2007, while in 2017 he became a member of the FIFA Council.
The decoration was also presented to Mirsad Serhatlić, frontman of the Podgorica-based band "Makadam", which has been performing on the Montenegrin and former Yugoslav scene for more than 45 years.
"Serhatlić has been contributing to the development of the music scene for decades, and as a composer, his artistic opus is woven into and recognized through numerous compositions by many Montenegrin and regional pop artists, thus contributing to the quality of musical culture, which is important for the healthy development of every society," the statement says.
It is reported that Milatović also presented the award to chess grandmaster Božidar Ivanović, who has become a synonym and promoter of chess in Montenegro.
"As the first Montenegrin grandmaster, officially declared in 1978, through decades of competitive and coaching engagement, he placed Montenegro on the world chess map, and through the Budućnost chess club, with his coaching skills, he has produced numerous young generations of chess players that the country is proud of today," the statement added.
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