A panel discussion on the history, law and statehood of Montenegro was held in Stari Bar: From "Stega" to the European future

A public forum "History, Law and Tradition Under the Open Sky" was held in Stari Bar last night, organized by the Municipality of Bar and the Association of Lawyers of Montenegro as part of the program marking two decades since the restoration of Montenegro's independence.

As announced by the Municipality of Bar, on the occasion of this significant anniversary, and in honor of 230 years since the adoption of the "Stega" of Petar I Petrović Njegoš, as the first written legal act that served as the foundation for the creation of the modern Montenegrin state and the unification of the people, the forum brought together the most prominent Montenegrin professors, academics and lawyers.

They discussed the historical, legal and social aspects of Montenegrin statehood, the continuity of its institutional development and the importance of preserving the state-building tradition.

The speakers at the forum were Prof. Dr. Zoran Rašović, academician and vice president of the Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts, Prof. Dr. Branislav Radulović, president of the Association of Lawyers of Montenegro, and Prof. Dr. Šerbo Rastoder, historian and academician of the Academy of Sciences and Arts.

The guests were welcomed by the director of the Cultural Center of Bar, Aleksandra Grabež, while the event was opened by the mayor of the Municipality of Bar, Dušan Raičević.

He pointed out the importance of marking this anniversary, emphasizing that the restoration of independence on May 21, 2006 represents a confirmation of the democratic will of the citizens that Montenegro independently determines its path, preserves its dignity, identity, statehood and freedom.

"Right here, in the area of ​​Bar, history strongly reminds us how much freedom was and remains the fundamental value of our people. Not far from here, the famous Battle of Tudjemil took place in 1042, a great and historically decisive battle that confirmed the state independence of Doclea and its place in European history, and which determined the entire millennium of Montenegro's struggle for survival, which even in modern times was not much different than it was then in Tudjemil. That event symbolizes the enduring aspiration of our people towards freedom, independence and the preservation of their own identity. That is why Bar rightfully holds a special place in the Montenegrin state-building tradition," Raičević emphasized.

The first man of Bar emphasized that the "Stega" was not just a legal document, but an expression of the need for unity, harmony, and responsibility towards the community and the state.

"Her messages about freedom, justice and togetherness remain equally important today, when it is our obligation to preserve the institutions, culture of memory and values ​​of a civic and European Montenegro," he concluded.

Speaking about the historical and legal continuity of Montenegrin statehood, the participants of the panel pointed out the importance of the "Stega" as one of the key documents that marked the development of legal awareness and institutional organization of Montenegro, confirming its aspiration towards political independence and internal unity.

It was emphasized that the restoration of independence in May 2006 is a contemporary expression of that aspiration and the democratic will of the citizens, as well as representing an important turning point that enabled Montenegro to independently define its development and foreign policy priorities.

It was emphasized, among other things, that the values ​​contained in the Montenegrin state-building tradition, such as freedom, unity, responsibility and respect for rights, represent the natural foundation of the state's European path and its aspirations to be part of the modern community of European nations.

As stated by the Municipality of Bar, the audience in Stari Bar last night also had the opportunity to hear selected excerpts from the text of "Stege" spoken by the leader of the Montenegrin National Theatre, Slobodan Marunović, while the famous Montenegrin artist Slaven Knezović completed the atmosphere of the event by performing the Montenegrin anthem on the violin.