On the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the birth and 80th anniversary of the death of the national hero Sava Kovačević, in his birthplace Nudol, organized by the Union of Associations of NOR Fighters and Anti-Fascists (SUBNORA) of Montenegro and the Association of NOR Fighters (UBNOR) and Anti-Fascists of Nikšić, an Academy of Memory was held. A large number of anti-fascists from almost all Montenegrin municipalities, but also from Herzegovina, were present, as well as the elderly Petar Perišić, Sava's courier, who is counting down to 100 years old.
"The story of Sava Kovačević is a historical textbook for new generations, to learn what price is paid for freedom and how to protect the homeland. Sava Kovačević is not just Sutjeska - Sava is the struggle between the two world wars, gathering around the freedom banner, heroism from the first insurgent rifle. Because Sava did not command from the rear - he was always at the head of the column, at the head of the freedom machine, which is why he fell in the attack. There is no Sutjeska without Sava, nor Sava without Sutjeska. They were and remain one - a symbol of the struggle and victory over fascism and domestic traitors," said Dragan Mitov Đurović, Secretary General of SUBNOR.
Sonja Nikčević, president of UBNOR and anti-fascists from Nikšić, reminded that the Kovačevićs were one of the organizers of the July 13th Uprising, and that his nephew Dragan, brother Janko, and father Blagoje were killed on Sutjeska, next to the Sava River.
"We live that freedom, but unfortunately we are not loud enough to defend it... Anti-fascism and freedom are fundamental values woven into the essence of Montenegro and must be protected and defended at every step. That is why we, anti-fascists, are here, at the birthplace of Commander Sava, whose figure and work represent a symbol of anti-fascism. All of Montenegro must today and always remember the famous commander Sava Kovačević, must strengthen anti-fascism as one of the greatest values of modern humanity, must preserve the freedom that its brave sons and daughters have won throughout a thousand years of history," said Nikčević.
On behalf of the Kovačević family, Zoran Kovačević expressed his gratitude, emphasizing that he hopes Sava's house will be a memorial home, a place where young generations will learn the most important lesson from Sava and his extended family's example - "that their country and freedom are sacred things without which there is no life."
"Sava is not just a Montenegrin hero. He is a hero of all the peoples and nationalities of the former homeland of Yugoslavia, for which everyone died, in a time when they were neither separated nor counted, when it was known who was a hero and who was a traitor, who was fighting against the occupier and who was collaborating with him. Our ancestors won their battles, left us freedom, with the bequest that we protect it and pass it on to new generations. We must do this, because all the lands from the former Yugoslav territories were not given to anyone. They were paid for with blood, built in freedom, they belong to the people, not to individuals and groups who sell and sell out every inch for their own and other people's interests. We and you must stop this, because Nazism was defeated in World War II, but fascism has rejuvenated and is flourishing again throughout Europe and the Balkans," said the president of the Anti-Fascist Party of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sejo Đulić.
Aćim Dabović, president of the Nudo local community, said that he hopes the event will become traditional, because it is not only a tribute to the brave Kovačević family, but also to the partisan freedom movement that had its strong foothold in this area.
As a sign of gratitude for her support of anti-fascist activities, the SUBNOR of Montenegro posthumously awarded a certificate of appreciation to Nada Vujović-Zotović, which was received by her daughter Ana Zotović.
Delegations of Montenegrin anti-fascists laid wreaths at the monument in Grahovo, at the memorial bust of Dragan Kovačević in Nudol, and on the wall of the birthplace of national hero Sava Kovačević.
The artistic part of the program featured performances by children from the "Dragan Kovačević" preschool educational institution from Nikšić and soloists Milena Perović and Dejan Škuletić.
Bonus video:
