Year after year, the "old school" building in Kolašin, an important part of Montenegrin historical heritage, is no longer even part of the promises of politicians at the local and state levels.
82 years ago, on November 15 and 16, the National Anti-Fascist Council of People's Liberation (ZAVNO) of Montenegro and Boka Bay was constituted in that building. That first session, which brought together around 540 people's representatives from all over Montenegro, represents one of the most important moments in the recent history of the state, since ZAVNO functioned as the highest organ of people's power. During the session, it was clearly defined that the political and state position of the people of Montenegro and Boka Bay can be valorized exclusively on equal grounds with other peoples within Yugoslavia. The session resulted in the election of the Assembly, as a political and representative body with 118 people's representatives, and the Executive Board, which had ten members.
Formally protected by law as a historical monument, the building is currently a picture of the state's disregard for its own historical heritage. Unofficially known as "the place where modern Montenegrin statehood was restored", in addition to the founding of ZAVNO, the First Congress of the Antifascist Youth of Montenegro and Boka Bay was held in this building in November 1943 (November 25 and 26), and in early December the First Congress of the Antifascist Women's Front of Montenegro and Boka Bay was held there. In February 1944, the second session of ZAVNO was held there, while in July of the same year, marking the third anniversary of the uprising of the Montenegrin people against the occupiers, the Third Session began, which transformed ZAVNO into the Montenegrin Antifascist Assembly of People's Liberation (CASNO).
After the war, the building served as an educational facility for a long time, hosting students from the “Risto Manojlović” Elementary School until 2011. Since then, it has been left without an official purpose and has been left to decay. Five years ago, the Ministry of Culture announced that funds would be allocated in the capital budget to put the building into operation. The state investment so far has been limited solely to installing a fence.
However, the department has not responded to questions from "Vijesti" regarding one of the most important historical monuments in Kolašin. The questions addressed to the department also related to possible plans for restoration, conservation or rehabilitation, as well as who is responsible for the many years of deterioration of a building of such historical importance.
The condition and fate of the "old school" is worrying both members of the local UBNOR and anti-fascists, so, as "Vijesti" was told, they are preparing to write to the prime minister. Milojko Spajić.
"While on one side, attractive city locations, where economic, business, and tourist facilities that provide employment can be built, are being given over to the construction of religious buildings, buildings that are monuments of history, revolution, and permanent witnesses of Montenegrin victories, these buildings are being abandoned to time and oblivion. It is necessary to show care for the cultural and historical monument, the old building of the 'Risto Manojlović' Elementary School, where the historic sessions of ZAVNO and CASNO of Montenegro were held, as soon as possible," say the Kolašin UBNOR.
They recall that certain activities have begun within the Ministry of Culture, that is, that “there have been several discussions without concrete activities.” They claim that the building should be renovated “so that it will be a permanent address of the Montenegrin, revolutionary and progressive victory in World War II in Kolašin as the war capital.”
UBNOR, they announce, will insist "that through the current reconstruction of the Memorial House, which is underway, a space be provided that will, with its equipment and contents, testify to why this original architectural building is called the Memorial House and for what occasion it was built in Kolašin."
Amendments to the Budget Law of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) a few years ago provided 66.000 euros from the state treasury for the preparation of project documentation and reconstruction of the facility. The Directorate for Capital Projects told "Vijesti" at the time that the reconstruction of the facility was planned through the program "Construction, Reconstruction and Adaptation of Cultural Facilities". However, at that time, the Directorate was not provided with any documentation related to the reconstruction project.
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