Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović said that her reaction to the performance of burning a doll with the image of writer and journalist Andrej Nikolaidis was responsible, appropriate and moral.
She repeated that she strongly condemns the act of burning, as well as insults and inappropriate speech during the trial of the carnival in Herceg Novi, and that her position cannot be ambiguously understood, unless there is an intention.
"Answering the question of the deputy of the Democratic Party of Socialists (DPS), Abaz Dizdarevic, about the alleged 'silence and relativization of events', Vujovic said that Dizdarevic's intention was certainly not to leave her room to look back at the case, which, she believes, reacted adequately, and which was interpreted by a part of the public prone to divisions as relativization and treasure," announced the Ministry of Culture and Media.
"I will remind you that I had two reactions that evening in which I said that freedom of expression and speech is a basic and inviolable human right," said Vujović, as added in the announcement.
She repeated that as the minister of culture and media, but also as a Novljan woman, it was not clear to her "how the creators of the idea were not aware that the burning of the doll, which symbolizes the Montenegrin writer, can also be seen as the symbolic burning of free and critical thought, manuscripts, and books."
"These are the statements of my reaction to the media, which you are trying to relativize. Because of the sensitivity of the situation that offended and divided the citizens, I reacted once again that evening after reading the speech to which Krnevo was burned. I called on the authorities to react if there were elements of a criminal act," Vujović said.
She said that she can disagree with some of Nikolaidis's views and that it is democratic, but at no time, as she pointed out, will there be a reaction to everything that can threaten democratic processes and values.
"Since the beginning of my mandate, I have clearly condemned any attack on journalists and the media, not on women in public positions, regardless of their working policies or affiliation to any political party. Reasoned discussion, asking questions, seeking answers, such as this today, is desirable and a reflection of the democratic processes to which, I hope, we all strive. This is precisely why we must not populistically take statements out of context, affirm them in order to get cheap political points", Vujović believes.
She concluded that she considers her reaction to the symbolic burning of a doll with the image of a Montenegrin writer and writer to be politically responsible, appropriate and moral, "after all, what will be my overall actions in the position of Minister of Culture and Media, but also on the Montenegrin political scene".
"My vision of the culture and development of democratic Montenegro is to stop dividing artists and intellectuals into 'ours' and 'yours', but to preserve and encourage their creativity, because everyone who creates under this sky leaves a lasting imprint of Montenegrin culture and a valuable legacy for future generations. for generations", said Vujović.
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