Cetinje is a symbol of the longevity of a country, an inspiration and source of hope, freedom, faith and pride, it was announced today, during the celebration of the Day of the Capital of Cetinje.
At a ceremony organized to commemorate the date when Lord Ivan Crnojević moved the capital of his state to Cetinje Field in 1482, this year's "Ivan Crnojević" Charter was awarded to scientific and cultural worker, publicist and author Marko Špadijer.
The mayor of Cetinje, Aleksandar Bogdanović, said that "4. January represents an important date, which is unavoidable and precious in the history of Montenegro".
"Having settled in the Cetinje field, surrounded by the hard and staunch hills of Lovcen, our lord found refuge and his peace, security to start building his court and monastery. It was a foundation for eternity, for centuries during which it was known - as long as there is Cetinje, there is Montenegro," said Bogdanović.
According to him, by making Cetinje his own and the center of Montenegro, lord Ivan Crnojević gave him a permanent crown, which still belongs to him today.
"Under that crown in the arms of time will be gathered days of pride and days of wounds, days of struggle and days of peace, but never - days of humiliation and betrayal. That's why this city, with its crown, is so important, stable like the stone on which it was built, proud and tall like the mountain that witnessed all its days for centuries," added Bogdanović.
He said that today they are remembering the creator of the throne of Cetinje - on which the love for Montenegro and the strength it needed to resurrect even in the most difficult days have remained enthroned until today.
"That's why Cetinje is a symbol of the longevity of a country, an inspiration and source of hope, freedom, faith and pride. Precisely because of this, all of us are obliged to serve Cetinje to the best of our ability today. To work for Cetinje. And to preserve the flame of Montenegrin freedom, pride and love here - where it sprung from Ivan's port", said Bogdanović.
As it was announced from his cabinet, he also reminded of everything that the city administration has done and started during the past 12 months.
Bogdanović, as stated, reminded that in the time between the two January 4th, they preserved the continuity of incentives to the economy.
"Thus, in the area of Košuta, instead of abandoned factory halls, today we have the finalization of the construction of a number of buildings within the new business zone, where we will get new jobs already this year. "It is similar with the tourist complex "Krstac" in Njeguši, which sprouted much faster than we ourselves expected," he added.
As he said, the city administration put an end to another problem of Cetinje that has been expressed for decades. "We built a new sewage network in the area of the entire city, which created the conditions to finally, for all time, solve the issue of waste water."
"Just in the past 12 months, we have built and reconstructed almost 40 square kilometers of urban and rural roads, which is a kind of record in the recent past of the city. Together with our partners, we built residential buildings, and in the previous year we created the conditions for the realization of more similar projects," said Bogdanović.
He said that they have entered the final phase of the renovation of the former Russian Embassy, and that the construction of the University Complex of the Faculty of Arts has continued. "Nevertheless, I am particularly pleased that the Capital of Cetinje provided 4,2 million euros for the construction of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts, thanks to the donation of the Republic of Turkey - their largest so far in Montenegro".
"This was also the year in which we finished the tender for carrying out works on the project of moving the Icon of the Virgin Filermosa, during which the interior of the bus station was finally equipped with modern devices and inventory, but also in which we implemented a number of other projects in the city itself," said Bogdanović. .
He said that they did not neglect the rural area, as well as that they invested in resources.
"Of course - our reliable partner is still the Government of Montenegro, which shows a sensitive attitude towards Cetinje - what our city, with its importance and duration, absolutely deserves," said Bogdanović.
Bogdanović, explaining the decision on this year's recipient of the Charter "Ivan Crnojević", said that working in the interest of Cetinje, in the direction of its development and affirmation, is something that unites everyone who is here today. "And closely following the activities and work of all organizations and individuals, not only from our city but also much wider - I will be pleased to emphasize that the circle of such people is growing year by year".
"Exactly that is one of the motives that mark the celebration of the fourth of January. "A day that is special and notable for our city and our country is an opportunity to pay special attention to those who were especially devoted to it through their actions," he said.
Spadijer said that, like every Cetinje citizen, he also receives the Charter with special excitement. "Being born and living in Cetinje is a biographical fact, but also a reliable sign of identification. Cetinje shapes the lives of its citizens with its historical energy".
"The Palace, the Monastery, the Billiards, Orlov Krs, the Wallachian Church, the Lovcen Villa, the Government House, Njegoševa Street, embassies of foreign countries, are not just cityscapes that we walk by every day, but the intervening time and glory that have deeply implanted their messages in us", he said.
As he added, in that sense, being a citizen of Cetinje is a privilege, and being the winner of the Charter that bears the name of its founder is a special honor.
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