Montenegro celebrates Njegoš Day

Montenegro celebrates the national holiday Njegoš Day today.

Montenegrin Culture Day is celebrated on November 13th every year, in memory of the birth of one of the most important figures in the history of Montenegro - Petar II Petrović Njegoš - writer, philosopher, bishop and ruler.

Krapović: He taught us that there is nothing more sacred than freedom, tradition and honor

Njegoš is much more than a great poet and ruler - he is a pillar of our national identity who, after almost two centuries, reminds us of true values, the values ​​of freedom, honor and dignity, said Defense Minister Dragan Krapović.

"It is the duty of all of us not to cherish his thought only in books and ceremonies, but to live it, responsibly towards the state and with respect for others," he wrote in a congratulatory message to citizens.

He said that on the day of Njegoš's birth, "we pay respect to the heritage that obliges us to preserve Montenegro in accordance with the ideals that Njegoš woven into the foundations of our existence."

"Through the Mountain Wreath and the Light Microcosm, Njegoš taught us that there is nothing more sacred than freedom, tradition and honor. Today, we face an important task: on the one hand, preserving and respecting traditional Montenegro, and on the other, equally important, is our commitment to developing a democratic Montenegro, one that is focused on its European future, the Europe to which the Montenegrin people have always belonged. Let Njegoš's thought be our guide in our actions, and let this day be a reminder that the mark we leave behind remains as a legacy for our children. To our future generations, for whom roots, heritage and homeland must be the most important fortress. Happy holiday. Together. Safely. For all time," Krapović said.

Borovinić Bojović: A roadmap for the future and an unbreakable connection to the roots

The works of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, which transcend their era and stand on an equal footing with the highest achievements of European literature, encourage us to reflect, but also remind us of the importance of preserving tradition, the original values ​​of our national identity, and the path we should tread responsibly and honorably, said the President of the Capital City Assembly, Jelena Borovinić Bojović.

"Today, on Njegoš Day, we are reminded of the importance of his work, which not only occupies a central place in our literature and culture, but also represents a signpost for the future, but also an unbreakable connection with our roots. In this sense, this holiday, in the sign of Njegoš's timeless verse 'ray of the shining fire of the immortal' - which indicates the depth of thought, but also the visionary spirit of its creator - should be a kind of landmark for all citizens of Montenegro," she wrote in a congratulatory message to the citizens.

Joković: A symbol of wisdom, courage and love for the homeland

Njegoš is more than a poet and statesman - he is a symbol of wisdom, courage and love for the homeland, said the president of the Socialist People's Party (SNP), Vladimir Joković.

He congratulated the citizens and "all those who respect one of the greatest figures in our history" on Njegoš Day.

"His works have become part of the cultural and spiritual identity of Montenegro, and his thought about freedom, honor and justice is still our guiding star today. Njegoš teaches us that true greatness lies in serving the people, in preserving tradition and responsibility towards ancestors and future generations. His verses and philosophical message remain a permanent source of inspiration, encouraging us to live with dignity, courage and justice. With the desire that Njegoš's thought be a permanent inspiration and a guide for the future, I once again congratulate Njegoš's Day - the day of our culture, our spirituality and our vow to preserve the values ​​he left us as a legacy. 'Blessed is he who lives forever, he had the opportunity to be born'," the greeting card reads.

PNP: Njegoš's chapel - a permanent place of union of heaven and earth

We are proud to celebrate Njegoš Day, a holiday of culture, thought, and the libertarian spirit of our people, said the People's Trust Movement.

"On this day, we pay deep tribute to the magnificent work of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, whose words and deeds are woven into the very foundations of our identity and spirituality. Njegoš's thought about freedom, truth, justice and honor still inspires generations today to preserve the language, culture and moral values ​​that define us. May his spirit guide us like a lighthouse, reminding us of the power of knowledge, the beauty of art and the dignity of man. Especially today, we reverently remember his chapel on Lovćen - a symbol of spiritual elevation and a permanent place of union of heaven and earth, faith and freedom. May it remain a sign of our respect for Njegoš's vow and our common obligation to preserve what elevates us spiritually," the greeting reads.

Šćekić: Njegoš's words and deeds woven into the foundations of our identity

Minister of Sports and Youth Dragoslav Šćekić said that Njegoš's words and deeds are woven into the foundations of our identity.

"We proudly celebrate Njegoš Day - a holiday of culture, thought and the libertarian spirit of our people. On this day, we pay tribute to the magnificent creativity of Petar II Petrović Njegoš, whose words and deeds are woven into the foundations of our identity. Njegoš's thought about freedom, truth, justice and honor still inspires generations today to preserve the language, culture and spiritual values ​​that define us. May his spirit be a beacon that reminds us of the power of knowledge, the beauty of art and the dignity of man," the greeting reads.

Jakić: Building a Montenegro worthy of Njegoš's thought and greatness

Njegoš is our eternal guide and advocate of honor, justice and human dignity, and his work reminds us that freedom is not gained, but earned - through courage, wisdom and faith in higher ideals, said the President of the Municipality of Šavnik, Jugoslav Jakić.

He congratulated the citizens on the "holiday of spirit, culture and freedom".

"Njegoš is not a character who can be invoked according to current interests and needs. He is a timeless figure, a pillar of our cultural and spiritual identity, which transcends all time and all power. His word belongs to everyone - both those before us and those who are yet to come. May he continue to inspire us today to build a Montenegro worthy of his thought and greatness in unity, knowledge and honesty," said Jakić.

Pejović: Bravely stepping forward, relying on tradition

Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Boris Pejović said that Njegoš Day "celebrates our culture, spirituality and enduring values."

"This holiday reminds us of the strength of cultural heritage as the foundation of our identity and our common history. Dedicated to Petar II Petrović Njegoš, one of the most brilliant symbols of Montenegrin thought and literature, Njegoš Day is an opportunity to once again pay homage to his greatness and intellectual legacy. By celebrating Njegoš Day, we not only preserve the memory of the great man, but also confirm our commitment to culture as a bridge between generations and as a space in which we nurture identity, understanding and mutual respect," Pejović wrote in a congratulatory message to citizens.

He said that cultural events and educational programs dedicated to this day contribute to keeping Njegoš's legacy alive and present among us.

"Let this holiday be a reminder to us that we are building a society that, relying on its own tradition, will boldly step forward - a society that will carry within itself all the values ​​that Njegoš considered fundamental: freedom, honor, wisdom and goodness," said Pejović.

Zogović: He managed to soar to the stellar heights of the spirit

Deputy Prime Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, and Vice President of the Democratic People's Party, Milun Zogović, congratulated citizens on the holiday, "in memory of the great statesman, spiritual leader and philosopher, and the greatest poet in the cultural history of our country."

He said that Njegoš is an unsurpassed poet of our literature, whose name is equivalent to names of world culture "such as Shakespeare in England, Dante Alighieri in Italy, Goethe in Germany, Victor Hugo in France, Pushkin in Russia, and other world greats of the pen."

Zogović points out that Njegoš's opus is "deeply woven into the archetypal images of our ethnos," and that "the eternal wisdom of Bishop Rade's thoughts still shines over Montenegro today for the benefit and pride of the state and its tradition."

He recalls that Njegoš, "similarly to the great Russian thinker and poet Lomonosov," did not have a regular education, but that he "managed to soar to the stellar heights of the spirit, among the chosen figures of humanity."

Njegoš's "timeless thought", as Zogović said, "as the eternal tooth and spiritual vertical of Montenegro", permanently inspires all creators, who, while looking to the past, look to the future, which is why Njegoš "should always be returned to with respect and hope for a better tomorrow for the culture of Montenegro and its place among the nations of the world."

"That is why Njegoš marked his own, as well as future times of cultural Montenegro, and the light of his timeless thought will always shine for the benefit of our country, even today on its European path," Zogović wrote in his congratulatory message.

Koprivica: Njegoš's thoughts, deeds and vision deeply rooted in the essence of Montenegro

Deputy Prime Minister for Justice and Anti-Corruption Momo Koprivica said that by marking this national holiday, "we are expressing our commitment to our cultural and state-building tradition."

"We pay tribute to Petar II Petrović Njegoš - a poet, bishop and ruler, whose thoughts, works and vision are deeply rooted in the spiritual, cultural and state being of Montenegro, but also the most striking sign of its recognition in cultural memory. Njegoš's state-building vision reflects both the dramas in the historical duration of his community, but also transcends his time and remains a permanent landmark for the generations that came after him, at the same time indicating that love for one's people and community and service to justice are the foundations of spiritual and cultural elevation," the congratulatory message to citizens reads.

"Njegoš, both as a poet and as a ruler, teaches us that freedom, dignity, togetherness and 'justice among people' are values ​​that we must follow as moral imperatives, and may Njegoš Day once again remind us of the forces of spirit and wisdom that have shaped our culture and state-legal history. I wish all citizens of Montenegro a happy Njegoš Day," wrote Koprivica.

Bogdanović: He left us a vow to be bigger, more just and wiser

The president of the Democratic parliamentary group and the party's general secretary, Boris Bogdanović, said that Njegoš "founded our cultural vertical with the power of words and the depth of his mind and left us a vow to be greater, more just and wiser."

"Today, when Montenegro celebrates Njegoš Day, we celebrate the beacon of our identity, the guardian of our language, our spirit, our libertarian thought. We celebrate the man who, with the power of words and the depth of his mind, founded our cultural vertical and left us a vow to be greater, more just and wiser. Njegoš is our poet, ruler, bishop, but also a measure. A measure of courage, a measure of honor, a measure of vision. A measure of Montenegro. That is why I am proud today that it was the Club of Deputies, whose president I am, who initiated and proposed this holiday, that we contributed to Montenegro getting a day that will forever be measured by the power of his name and the depth of his work. May Njegoš remind us today that thought is stronger than delusion, that truth is stronger than power, that freedom is more valuable than fear. May he inspire us to be worthy of the people who gave birth to Luča and Gorski vijenac. And may this day be a vow to Montenegro that it will always have the courage to be its own," Bogdanović wrote in his congratulatory message.

Bečić: He elevated his people spiritually, educationally and statesmanship

Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Defense, Fight against Crime and Internal Policy Aleksa Bečić, in his congratulatory message to citizens, said that Montenegro today celebrates "the most significant son of its stone: a fearless ruler, a steadfast bishop and a poet of an inspired pen."

"I am proud of the year 2021, when we passed the Law that enabled the return of Bishop Rad to the historical pedestal that has always belonged to him. I am even more proud of the fact that I then had the honor of presiding over the session of the Parliament at which the historic decision was voted that Montenegro should not renounce its cornerstone and the foundation of its spiritual and cultural identity. It is our historical and moral duty, while celebrating Njegoš's work, to be guided by his timeless and never-surpassed thought: 'But' to put a foot in the throat of tyranny, to bring it to a better understanding of the law - that is the most sacred human duty," Bečić wrote.

He said that today, "when we build a modern Montenegro, the greatest guiding star remains the construction of a legal and reconciled state": "A state of brothers that preserves a common sacred place. Our future rests on these foundations, established by the Petrović Njegoš dynasty."

"Inspired by the life work of Saint Peter of Cetinje, who reconciled Montenegro with his Epistles, Bishop Rade also elevated his people: spiritually, educationally and statesmanship, leaving eternal traces in every pore of today's Montenegrin state. While our people and our state, the authorities, no matter how fleeting they may be, are obliged to measure their every step with Njegoš's thought. This is the pledge of a successful, just and reconciled Montenegro. I am proud that, together with my colleagues, I am the author of the Law establishing Njegoš's birthday as a national holiday, which is celebrated with two non-working days. Enjoy the upcoming holidays together with your families. We celebrate Njegoš, we celebrate our Montenegro! Happy Njegoš Day - the Montenegrin holiday of culture," the greeting card reads.

Ćulafić: Established the values ​​that still guide us today

Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development Damjan Ćulafić said in his congratulatory message that Njegoš, with his thoughts and words, "founded the values ​​that still guide us today: freedom, dignity, wisdom and love for the homeland."

"Dear citizens of Montenegro, today, as we mark Njegoš Day, we express our deep respect for the ruler, bishop, philosopher and greatest poet among the South Slavs, who, with his works, raised the spirit of our people to the highest intellectual heights, and immeasurably contributed to Montenegro having a respected place on the map of world literature. Njegoš, with his thoughts and words, established the values ​​that still guide us today: freedom, dignity, wisdom and love for the homeland. In the spirit of his high poetics, it is not difficult to find reminders that man and nature are inextricably linked," said Ćulafić.

He said that as Minister of Ecology he believes that it is through caring for nature that "we continue what he started: preserving the identity, beauty and soul of Montenegro."

"By proclaiming Njegoš Day, we have confirmed that we know who we are and what our foundations are based on. And that is why today we proudly remember our heritage and renew our obligation to pass it on with dignity. May his thought inspire us today to prove our love for our country with deeds, not just words. To cherish education and culture, to protect nature and build a society in which knowledge, work and honor are respected," the greeting reads.

Camaj: Njegoš, the symbol of Montenegro

Deputy Speaker of the Parliament Nikola Camaj said in his congratulatory message that Njegoš represents a symbol of Montenegro.

"Petar II Petrović Njegoš – poet, thinker, philosopher and visionary, seemed to describe himself by writing his famous sentence 'blessed is he who lives forever – he had time to grow and be born'. Thanks to his invaluable legacy, Njegoš still lives on in everyday quotes, scientific research works and represents a symbol of this country. That is why today we can also remember his reflection that 'beautiful, beautiful, beautiful and beautiful, beautiful, white, white and white - the petals of a single flower, one by one swayed into a bud.' Because language, religion and nationality should not be something that burdens Montenegro, but something that makes it an example of harmony and richness of diversity, just as Njegoš preaches," Camaj wrote.

Kordić: The true strength of Montenegro lies in its culture, tradition and shared spirit

Minister of Tourism Simonida Kordić wrote in her congratulatory message to citizens that today reminds us of the enduring importance of the work of Petar II Petrović Njegoš and the role of the "holy Petrović lineage" in shaping the cultural identity of our country.

"Njegoš's thoughts, ideals and vision still inspire us today to preserve our values ​​and build a society of mutual respect and togetherness. May Njegoš's legacy remind us that the true strength of Montenegro lies in its culture, tradition and shared spirit," the minister wrote.

Kovačević: The Montenegrin ID card contains Njegoš's picture

The President of the Municipality of Nikšić, Marko Kovačević, congratulated all citizens of Montenegro on the holiday, "but also the entire Njegoš people."

He said that the "identity card of Montenegro" contains Njegoš's picture.

"Her biography is Njegoš's works. As much as Montenegro resembles Njegoš, so much does it resemble itself; as much as it is far from Njegoš, so much is it far from itself. As much as it is faithful to the vows and wisdom of Njegoš, so much is it faithful to itself."

Kovačević said that it is not enough to celebrate Njegoš Day, "and not keep anything Njegoš."

"One cannot be faithful to Njegoš and not respect his will to be buried in the chapel - a small church on the top of Lovćen. Therefore, I congratulate you on this holiday in the hope that this generation will fulfill Njegoš's last will."

Kazoa is saying that Montenegro is "returning to Njegoš and to itself and thus paving its way towards the European Union like never before."

"Nikšić has become the European Capital of Culture for 2030. We would not be able to do all this if every day of ours were not Njegoš's, if we did not meet and recognize Njegoš every day in our personal destinies, the destinies of the people around us, but also in the destiny of entire nations. This holiday serves to remind us of this and not to forget it. That is why it was finally laid in the foundations of today's Montenegro and its culture a few years ago. From this foundation, Montenegro is growing again in order to once again reach the level of Njegoš. In this growth, it once again becomes capable of being part of the modern European community of states, getting closer to that goal the more it returns to Njegoš and to itself," wrote Kovačević.