Reconstructed Summer Stage in Donja Lastva opens: Open-air cinema reopens in Tivat

The reconstructed Summer Stage in Donja Lastva in Tivat was officially inaugurated the day before yesterday with the screening of the latest feature film "Alive and Healthy" by Herceg Novi director Ivan Marinović, which was put back into operation after a break of several decades.

This multi-purpose space for film screenings, smaller theater forms, literary evenings and other similar events was completely renovated with an investment of 300.000 euros by the Municipality of Tivat. The works were carried out by the company "AG Infoplan" from January to June of this year, and the purchase of technical equipment worth around 93.000 euros was also realized.

"It is a great pleasure and honor that, after so many years and decades, we have managed to reconstruct a valuable cultural facility, the Summer Stage in Donja Lastva, which was neglected and somewhat forgotten for years. We have the opportunity to witness the beginning of its new, hopefully rich and long cultural life," said the Mayor of the Municipality of Tivat, Željko Komnenović, at the opening ceremony of this facility before the film screening, adding that in this way Tivat has gained another new representative cultural facility.

Komnenović expressed particular satisfaction that the long-time former cinema operator of the Lastovo Summer Stage, Anton Gula Marković, was also present at the dinner, which, as he said, "additionally symbolizes continuity and a return to the old tradition of screening films at this place."

The Mayor expressed hope that this summer, as well as the ones to come, will bring many beautiful events and well-attended manifestations on the reconstructed summer stage in Donja Lastva.

By decision of the local parliament, this facility was entrusted to the management of the local Public Institution Tivat Cultural Center, whose director Goran Božović emphasized the importance of the Lastovo Summer Stage for further improving the cultural life of the city, because with its renovation, Tivat became only the second city in Montenegro to have an active open-air cinema.

"This is an important historical moment for the work of the Tivat Cultural Center and for the cultural life of our municipality in general. After almost 35 years, we are reopening the summer stage in Donja Lastva. This space represents a special attraction and cultural offer, not only for the residents of Donja Lastva and Tivat, but also for all our guests, friends, visitors and tourists. The summer stage will be primarily dedicated to the art of film, but will also host numerous other programs: promotions, literary evenings, small-format theater performances and concerts," Božović emphasized, adding that the Tivat Cultural Center devotes significant attention to the art of film.

With almost 300 screenings per year, Tivat is the third cinema in Montenegro by number of screenings, right after professional cinemas in Podgorica and Budva.