Podgorica: A group of citizens gathered to protest the Council's decision to change the name of the "Radosav Ljumović" library

A group of citizens gathered tonight to protest the decision of the Council of the "Radosav Ljumović" National Library to change the name of the library to the "Marko Miljanov Popović" Library.

They gathered in front of the "Radosav Ljumović" library in Podgorica.

Among those gathered were Mirza Krnić, a councilor of the Preokret Movement in the Capital City Assembly, Dragutin Vučinić, a councilor of the Movement for Podgorica (PzPG) in the Capital City Assembly, director Mladen Ivanović, and a Liberal Party official Aleksandar Ljumović.

"Thank you for coming. Now we're going to do a little tourist tour," said one of those gathered, Aleksandar Jovanović.

He then read the biography of Marko Miljanov.

"Important streets in Podgorica, Bijelo Polje... are named after this famous Montenegrin hero, military leader, and writer, as is an elementary school, as well as a memorial complex in Kuči where his memorial house is located," said Jovanović.

He then went to the steps in front of the library and said that the library had been named that since 1959.

Jovanović also provided information from Ljumović's biography, adding that little is known about the poet and revolutionary today.

"This building is the only one that bears his name," he said.

Historian Savo Đorojević read Ljumović's poems.

Jovanović then came in front of the Capital City Assembly.

"I would like BiH to remember another poet from Montenegro whose work was not sufficiently appreciated and promoted, and we want to correct that. Now you will have the opportunity to hear a radio performance of the poetry of poet Bećir Vuković," he said.

Video: Risto Bozovic

As he pointed out, the book "Homeless House" is impossible to find in libraries and bookstores, even though Vuković received the Thirteenth of July Award for it.

Then he played a recording in which Vuković's verses are recited.

Finally, Jovanović thanked those gathered, emphasizing that he hoped that the Assembly of Capital Cities would suspend the initiative, but also that the responsible members of the Council would be dismissed.

"Vijesti" announced today that the Secretariat for Culture of the Capital City has ordered the Council of the "Radosav Ljumović" National Library to immediately and without delay suspend all activities related to changing the name of the institution, threatening that otherwise it will "take more rigorous measures within the framework of the already initiated administrative supervision."

According to the same information, the Secretariat is of the opinion that the Council's decision to change the name to the "Marko Miljanov Popović" Library is legally null and void and has no legal effect, given that "by adopting this act, the Council usurped the exclusive jurisdiction of the Capital City of Podgorica", which is the only one competent to adopt and amend the founding act which, among other things, determines the name and seat of the institution.

The Secretariat also warned that any decision-making by any entity, outside the procedures prescribed by the Law on Memorials, "represents a gross violation of imperative regulations and entails criminal liability."

The Council of the "Radosav Ljumović" National Library in Podgorica made a decision at the end of February to change the name of the institution to the "Marko Miljanov Popović" Library. Three members of the Council voted in favor of the change - Novica Đurić, Emilo Labudović and Bećir Vuković, while the president of that body, Gorica Vukićević, abstained, and a member from among the employees was justifiably absent.

Đurić proposed the name change, 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."

In recent days, since the public learned of the decision, the Ministry of Culture, several councilors, and non-governmental organizations have opposed this, pointing out that the Council can propose, but not decide on, changing the name of the Podgorica library.

"Vijesti" reported on July 3 that 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".