The Council of the "Radosav Ljumović" National Library in Podgorica has made a decision to change the name of the institution to the "Marko Miljanov" Library, president Gorica Vukićević confirmed to "Vijesti", stating that three members voted for the change - Novica Đurić, Emilo Labudović and Bećir Vuković, while she abstained, and a member from among the employees was justifiably absent.
Đurić initiated the name change back in February of this year, explaining that Marko Miljanov's contribution "to national identity, culture and literature provides full justification for one of the most important cultural institutions in the Capital to bear his name."
"I believe, and I said so at the meeting, that we as the Council, a few of us, do not have the right to change the name of the Library, that this should be discussed with credible figures, institutions and with the founder - the Capital City. I certainly informed the mayor about this, who acknowledged the independent work of the Council and explained that the final decision will be made by the Capital City Assembly," said Vukićević.
According to her, Đurić also suggested that the current main ceremonial hall be renamed "Radosav Ljumović", instead of "Marko Miljanov".
"I am not aware of the further procedure, the library's Legal Service will discuss that further," she emphasized in a statement for "Vijesti".
According to unofficial information, during that session, a legal position was read stating that the Council, in accordance with the Statute, has the right to make a decision on changing the name and location of the library.
The Statute, in Article 18, which deals with the issue of the Council's jurisdiction, states, among other things, that this body decides on changes to its name and headquarters. The Statute was adopted in December 2020.
On the other hand, several sources of "Vijesti" from the Capital City, as well as from among the councilors, claim that such a change cannot go through without the consent of the Capital City Assembly.
According to them, in order for the Council to fulfill its intention to change the name of the institution, the decision on its establishment would have to be amended beforehand.
"The Decision on Establishment, in Article 1, clearly states that the 'Radosav Ljumović' National Library is being established. Therefore, in order for the name of the library to be changed, the councilors in the Capital City Assembly must agree to it," says a source from the Podgorica administration to "Vijesti". This position is shared by several rights activists contacted by "Vijesti".
And the councilor of the Movement for Podgorica, Dragutin Vučinić, says that this must be decided in the Capital City Assembly.
"The question is, will those who propose it get 30 hands up for it. Across the street from the library is a monument to Marko Miljanov. Those who propose this change should have first consulted the current Law on Memorials, which does not provide for duplication of the same, because in addition to the monument at that location - one of the most striking in the city, there is also a central city street with the same name, as well as a city school in the urban area of the city and finally the museum itself in his native village of the same name. The old people said, and he himself would say - play, play and you'll be a dog," said Vučinić.
He also emphasizes that the decision on the name was made by the councilors of the Titograd Municipal Assembly in 1959.
"If the councilors of this city have already given it that name - only they can change it. That is the only legal and fair thing," Vučinić concluded.
See more:
Download the app and follow the news
FOLLOW US ON
