Lompar: Vujović's mandate is a sad picture of hypocrisy, the law was violated when appointing the new director

The dismissed director of the National Library ''Durđe Crnojević'' Dragica Lompar believes that the decision to dismiss her is revenge, after she pointed out this summer the misuse of the institution's name and the violation of the Publishing Act when it comes to the book ''Houses of the Homeless'', for which writer Bećir Vuković received the Thirteenth of July Award.

Lompar told Television Vijesti that her mandate expired in March and that she had unofficial information that the election of her successor was being prepared, but that Minister of Culture Tamara Vujović had not had time to interview her to this day, which she considers an unprofessional attitude, primarily towards the institution she heads.

Lompar disputes the appointment of Ivan Radulović as her successor, saying that this is another violation of the Law, given that he is employed at the Historical Institute and has no contact with culture.

When it comes to the case of the controversial book for which Vuković received the Thirteenth of July Award, Lompar expects to receive an epilogue because, as he says, abuses when it comes to Montenegro's highest state award must be sanctioned.

The dismissed director of the National Library "Đurđe Crnojević" also submitted her reaction after the information about the dismissal, which we transmit in full:

"After a full nine months, the Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović managed to find a person for the position of director of the National Library of Montenegro 'Đurđe Crnojević'. It took a long time because she seemed to ask one person after another who would accept this responsible position, and who met only one condition - that they were not Montenegrins. Whether this is in line with her personal national determination or whether this criterion was imposed on her - I will leave it to the public to judge."

Since the beginning of March 2025, Minister Vujović has not deigned to receive me, despite my requests, even though I personally informed her in February that my mandate was expiring. This attitude towards an institution of first-class importance, which preserves Montenegrin written heritage, its language, and cultural identity, is devastating. As is her entire ministry. It is not difficult to conclude that there may have been a dilemma whether I would be appointed to another term until the scandal surrounding the awarding of the highest state award to the writer Bećir Vuković. After my public appearance in defense of the laws of Montenegro and the integrity of the Library, when the Ministry of Culture and Media 'turned a blind eye' for the umpteenth time and waited for this to pass, the search for a candidate began.

Who is the person decorated with the Thirteenth of July Award and what did that person do to obtain not only the Award, but also the benefits that follow from that recognition, I will not elaborate. The case is in the Prosecutor's Office based on my report. However, I must state who is most responsible for not stopping the entire procedure after learning that there had been abuse and who made it possible for the award to be awarded. Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović or better said 'Madam Minister'! At the same time, all those who publicly rebelled and protested against the humiliation of both the award and the state were prosecuted, and Bećir Vuković continued to do what is characteristic of him, to take what does not belong to him.

The scandals that have accompanied its entire mandate, the undisguised hypocrisy when it comes to the interests of Montenegro and the protection of its national landmarks, the ones and zeros that the Ministry receives from the Government about its work, the failure to respond to nationalist and fascist statements and actions throughout Montenegro, are a sad picture of the state of one of the most important and complex ministries.

The position I held for 4 years and 9 months and 38 years of experience in the National Library give me the right to emphasize that in every segment of the business, together with my associates, I did the most and the best that I knew how without seeking any recognition and privileges, without interference from anyone's influence, without imposing personnel, extremely professionally, respecting above all the fact that the National Library belongs to all citizens of Montenegro. For all of the above, I received only the support and respect of the Montenegrin public. As an expert in cultural heritage, I never received a loan, an apartment or the status of a prominent expert in culture, because for decades this exclusively belonged to creativity. All those hardworking, professional, educated people who worked and still work in the heritage sector were, therefore, discriminated against because they never had the opportunity for the state of Montenegro to recognize them through the award of this status.

The latest appointment is only a continuation of the work of the Ministry of Culture and Media. When proposing candidates, Article 47 of the Law on Culture was grossly violated, which states: 'A well-established artist or well-established expert in culture shall be appointed as the director of a public institution founded by the state.' Is the Prime Minister, together with his ministers, even aware of this fact and will they seek an explanation and accountability?

And more importantly, will the new director of the National Bank of Montenegro 'Đurđe Crnojević' accept the illegal appointment? Has he prepared a five-year development plan for the institution? On the basis of what he was recognized as an 'established expert in culture', we remain to hear," Lompar stated in her reaction.