The Day of the Municipality of Bijelo Polje was marked today with a ceremonial session in the hall of the Cultural Center.
Marking the 81st anniversary of liberation, before the ceremonial session, representatives of the Municipality, political and other organizations laid wreaths at the Monument to the Fallen Soldiers.
Opening the session, the President of the Bijelo Polje Municipal Assembly, Selma Omerović, said that today we are celebrating the Day of the Bijelo Polje Municipality - a date that holds a special place in the collective memory of that city.
"It is Liberation Day, the day when Bijelo Polje confirmed its commitment to freedom, anti-fascism and the values that are woven into the foundations of modern Montenegro. This date is a reminder that freedom was never given, but earned, and that every generation has an obligation to preserve and affirm it - not only with words, but also with deeds, especially through the work of institutions," said Omerović.
The year behind us, she emphasized, was dynamic, demanding, hard-working and successful.
"The Assembly has shown that it has the strength to function as a democratic body – to listen, to reconsider and, when necessary, to make decisions that clearly reflect the value framework of our community. In that spirit, we are particularly proud to have signed the Agreement on Cooperation, or twinning, between the Municipality of Bijelo Polje and the Municipality of Novi Grad Sarajevo. This act is not just a formal document, but a strong message of connection, friendship and a shared commitment to peace, cooperation and mutual respect. Bijelo Polje and Novi Grad Sarajevo are connected by the same values - anti-fascism, multiculturalism and respect for human dignity, and it is on these foundations that we build bridges that transcend borders," she said.
Emphasizing that Bijelo Polje is a city with a rich history, Omerović emphasized that public memories, recognitions, and symbols must be in line with the values of freedom, peace, anti-fascism, and human dignity, because only such can be a bridge between past struggles and future generations.
"In this context, the decision to revoke the award from convicted war criminal Radovan Karadžić represents a clear and principled act. In doing so, we have shown that Bijelo Polje has no dilemmas when it comes to condemning crimes and respecting victims, and that there is no place in our public space for glorifying those who trampled on basic human and civilizational values with their actions," she said.
She added that in the past year, significant attention was paid to the development of road infrastructure.
"With investments made last year, we managed to improve traffic connections and reach almost every village and household, which we will continue to do in the coming period. Quality infrastructure is not just roads, it is a prerequisite for the population to remain in the countryside and for better economic development. I am sure that after so much time, and with the support of the Government of Montenegro, the implementation of two extremely important development projects will continue - Đalovića Cave and the Cmiljača Ski Center. These are projects that go beyond local frameworks and have the potential to improve the economy, tourism and overall development of Bijelo Polje and northern Montenegro in the long term," Omerović emphasized, adding that in the coming period, special attention will be paid to businessmen in that municipality.
The President of the Municipality, Petar Smolović, said that this great day reminds us of the strength of the idea of freedom, of the courage of people who believed that dignity has no price and that the future is not waited for - but built.
"The liberation of Bijelo Polje was not just a historical act. It was a clear commitment to freedom, to justice and to the values on which modern Montenegro is still based today. That freedom was not the end of the road, but its beginning - the beginning of the responsibility to build a society of equal opportunities, mutual respect and lasting progress," said Smolović.
Today, eight decades later, he emphasized, freedom is not defended with weapons, but with knowledge, work, solidarity, and vision.
"It is reflected in the quality of life of our citizens, in the opportunity for young people to stay and build a future in their city, in the safety of families and in development that is balanced and sustainable. In the previous period, local government was guided by precisely these principles. We have strived to ensure that the development of Bijelo Polje is not a matter of improvisation, but the result of planning, responsible management and cooperation - with the state, international partners, the economy and, most importantly, with citizens. Development that is not measured only by new buildings and investments, but by trust, stability and a sense of belonging to this city," said Smolović.
The only representatives from the Government and other municipalities who attended the ceremonial session were the Minister of Regional Investment Development and Cooperation with Non-Governmental Organizations and the President of the Municipal Assembly of the Republic of Serbia Ernad Suljević and the President of the Municipality of Petnjica Samir Agović.
At the end of last year, councilors of the Bosniak Party blocked the work of the Bijelo Polje Municipal Assembly by not attending, which is why the budget was not voted on, and the mayor of the municipality made a decision on temporary financing.
The ceremony featured performances by opera diva Olivera Tičević, as well as Junior Eurovision contestant Asja Džogović.
After the ceremonial session, guests had the opportunity to enjoy a cocktail and an exhibition of paintings from the 7th International Art Meeting "Lazović Painters" in the gallery of the Cultural Center.
In addition to the "3rd January" Awards that were awarded to Tarzan Milošević and Radmila Radović Radović, plaques and certificates of appreciation were also presented.
Awarded the best students
This year, the municipality of Bijelo Polje awarded the best students from several faculties. The following were awarded: Luka Marković, second-year master's student at the Biotechnical Faculty in Podgorica, average 10, Stanica Nedović, third-year doctoral student at the Maritime Faculty in Kotor, average 9,60, Marijana Radović, second-year master's student at the Biotechnical Faculty in Podgorica, average 10, Aleksa Raičević, second-year master's student at the Faculty of Law in Podgorica, average 10, Dušica Timotijević, second-year master's student at the Faculty of Philosophy in Nikšić, average 10, Kristina Šćekić, second-year master's student at the Biotechnical Faculty in Podgorica, average 9,80, Zeko Hasanović, fourth-year undergraduate student at the Faculty of Islamic Studies in Sarajevo, average 10, Matija Pavićević, fourth-year undergraduate student at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Ljubljana, average 9,73, Emina Višnjić, third-year undergraduate student at the Music Academy in Cetinje, average 10, Vesna Perošević, third-year undergraduate student at the Biotechnical Faculty in Podgorica, average 9,82, Elena Lopiušina, first-year master's student at the Faculty of Philology in Nikšić, average 10, Amina Pačariz, fifth-year student at the Faculty of Medicine - Pharmacy, Podgorica, average 9,38 and Uroš Rabrenović, fourth-year undergraduate student at the Faculty of Law in Belgrade, average 9,25.
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