Radunović: I said that instead of divisions, we should be Montenegrins, not in a national sense, but in a civic sense

The frontman of the Montenegrin rock band Perper, Nikola Radunović, said that his statement "let's all be Montenegrins" was maliciously misinterpreted, and that he wanted to send a message to citizens not to allow themselves to be divided, but to all be Montenegrins "not in a national, but in a civic sense."

His statement sparked negative reactions on social media, and was also mentioned today in the Parliament, where the leader of the Democratic People's Party (DNP) said that the performance of the group Perper was paid for from the state budget, and that the frontman of the band said that "all those who do not feel nationally as Montenegrins should leave Montenegro."

"I do not feel like a Montenegrin nationally and I invite the frontman of "Perper" to come and kick me out of Montenegro...", said Knežević.

Radunović issued a statement denying that his statement was chauvinistic and called on everyone to "integrate and listen to the original" message he had conveyed when he made the statement marking the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Montenegro's independence.

"On that occasion, I said that when I say "Montenegrin" I mean all citizens of Montenegro, regardless of their religion or nationality, and that I would like us to live in a true civil state, where it would not matter who feels nationally or religiously. I called on politicians not to divide people by talking only about the problems of Serbs, Albanians, Bosniaks or Montenegrins, with the obvious intention and request that they work for the benefit of all citizens, and not to classify us into national camps. My friends, godparents, family members are of all these nationalities, and everyone who knows me knows that I am the last person interested in any kind of national-chauvinism. What's more, I abhor it in all its forms. I mentioned America in that civil context, in which all people who were born in it and have lived there their entire lives, regardless of whether their parents or grandparents came from Ireland, Italy or other countries, are called Americans. "That's why I said that for me it would be most appropriate for us, who were born and spent our lives in Montenegro, to all be Montenegrins, not to be ashamed of that name, to respect the country in which we were born and live in by respecting its symbols, and not, for example, that we cannot stand the Montenegrin flag flying if there is no other flag flying next to it. That's why I said that those who are unable to respect their country in that civil way, perhaps should, in order to be personally happier, live somewhere else - I apologize that this was perhaps not stated precisely enough in the live broadcast and could be interpreted out of context, because I certainly think that everyone has the right to choose where they want to live. This is not a call for anyone to throw them out of their homes and centuries-old homes, but rather well-intentioned advice, that if they cannot stand the Montenegrin flag or anthem, if they would feel better under someone else's flag, they should decide to change their place of residence themselves," the singer stated.

He emphasized that his plea to all citizens was completely clear - do not let them divide us, let us all be Montenegrins, not in a national but in a civic sense.

"Only in this way will we ensure that our children live in a happier country, where people are divided only into those who are and those who are not - all other divisions are fictitious and do not contribute to the betterment of this country and society," said Radunović.

The musician stated that "those who only live from and in divisions" took the opportunity to falsify his words and offer their target groups an interpretation of how he and others who consider themselves Montenegrins want to expel others from Montenegro.

"If it weren't for people like me, we would never have received thousands of refugees and victims of wars, which were caused by those who live on divisions. Instead of quoting that I said in my statement that anyone who emphasizes only one national moment is harming the state I want, and that I concluded the statement with a call to viewers to "love all people and all nations equally", which is an obvious and clear position that I have advocated my entire life, as well as a statement that I do not mind any other national sign, they were obviously hurt the most by the words "Montenegro is our homeland, love it and take care of it, and let us all be Montenegrins", so they decided to turn their discomfort into an alleged rant.

"Dear citizens of Montenegro (with apologies to all who are bothered by the synonym Montenegrins - I did not intend to offend you, but to adorn you with the same feathers that I wear myself), do not allow malicious people to fill you with hatred, and do not be afraid of Nikola Radunović and those like me - I will never invite you to slander, provoke, harass anyone... with me you could only defend someone," Radunović concluded.