Tito in Cetinje

In May 1969, during his stay in Cetinje, in addition to numerous activities, Tito viewed the exhibits of the Art Gallery, being particularly delighted with Stijović's sculpture Prince Bajko.

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Tito, a world-renowned statesman, Photo: Ivo Eterović
Tito, a world-renowned statesman, Photo: Ivo Eterović
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

Former President for Life of the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, world-renowned statesman, Josip Broz Tito, will receive a memorial bust in Cetinje, the councilors of the Royal Capital have decided. The initiative was launched by the Association of Veterans of the National Liberation War and Anti-Fascists of Cetinje...

The initiative, naturally, provoked various comments.

Tito first came to Cetinje in July 1946, to celebrate with the Montenegrin people the fifth anniversary of the first insurgent rifle.

Then he visited Cetinje in 1951. At that time he also stayed at Ivanova Korita.

He passed through "white roads", macadam roads, because there was almost no asphalt in Montenegro.

Several significant industrial plants were soon built in Montenegro.

Montenegro's economic rise was accompanied by vibrant cultural activity.

He didn't forget the so-called "little things": Tito's letter to Maksim Vuković, director of the Montenegrin post office
He didn't forget the so-called "little things": Tito's letter to Maksim Vuković, director of the Montenegrin post officephoto: Private archive

In mid-September 1959, historic Cetinje was on its feet! Tito was coming for the third time. At the entrance to the city, two soldiers in colorful Montenegrin costumes, armed with famous flintlocks, stood in a calm posture, like a guard of honor. And on the flower-adorned triumphal arch, the words: "Tito, always with you."

He greeted the President of the Municipal People's Committee, Milo Vrbica, who told him: "Comrade President, the city of freedom Cetinje has had joyful and difficult moments throughout its history. One of the most joyful is today, when we most warmly open our hearts, because we welcome our greatest friend, comrade, leader - the immortal Tito."

Greeting, Tito said: "Comrades, citizens of Cetinje, I thank you most warmly for these kind words and I want to see for myself your progress."

He shook hands with war veterans, political and public workers from Cetinje and headed towards the "Obod" factory.

In the memorial book of the Electrical Industry "Obod", he wrote: "I am surprised by the very modern factory 'Obod', and especially the young staff. I wish the collective of this extremely important factory for our socialist country much success in their work. Tito".

Walking through the "Obod" factory halls, he became interested in the production of refrigerators, washing machines, stabilizers, and other products that make up the factory's main assortment.

From there, he drove with an escort to the State Museum park, where MP Mihailo Vicković showed him Meštrović's monument to Njegoš, created for the Mausoleum on Lovćen.

- That's beautifully done. A timeless thing! - commented Tito.

And the President of the National Assembly of Montenegro, Blažo Jovanović, noted that Meštrović was not asking for any reward for his work on the Mausoleum, but only, as he emphasized in his letter: "A shoulder of mutton and a lump of Njeguš cheese."

The chronicler noted that this remark by Blaž then sparked a longer conversation about art.

In honor of the distinguished guest, the President of the People's Committee Milo Vrbica organized a gala lunch at the Cetinje “Grand-Hotel” (the former historic “Lokanda”), where Tito exchanged a toast with the Secretary of the Municipal Committee of the League of Communists, Luka Banović. Tito emphasized, among other things, that he was impressed by the Montenegrin people, “who look to their future not only with great hope but also with self-awareness.”

Four years later, in August 1963, Tito arrived in Cetinje in a Rolls-Royce with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev. They visited the State Museum (the former palace of King Nikola), and were greeted in front of the Museum by a crowd of Cetinje residents. As they left the Museum, Khrushchev greeted XNUMX-year-old Marko Mrvaljević, who was dressed in Montenegrin costume, and took his grandson Branko in his arms and kissed him.

Then, via Njeguš, down the Kotor side, they descended into Boka Bay, admiring the "Bride of the Adriatic".

...Once, in New York, in the home of the painter Savo Radulović, I saw a photograph of Tito with the dedication: "To my friend Savo Radulović - Josip Broz Tito, May 25, 1972".

- Tito was a great friend of artists and understood painting and literature very well. A true intellectual; he had breadth, an understanding for artists - Savo Radulović told me at the time.

Perhaps this is the reason why in May 1969, during his stay in Cetinje, in addition to numerous activities, he viewed the exhibits of the Art Gallery, and was particularly delighted with Stijović's sculpture of Prince Bajko, an old Montenegrin warrior and wise man from Gorski vijenac...

With his wife Jovanka at the Cetinje Art Gallery
With his wife Jovanka at the Cetinje Art Galleryphoto: Private archive

He was also an inspiration to many Montenegrin artists. He was portrayed by Milan Božović, Niko Đurović, Anton Lukateli, Aleksandar Prijić, Đoko Živković - Žigalj, Drago Đurović, Sava Laban, Cvetko Lainović, Mihailo Jovićević...

According to the prominent Montenegrin poet and art historian, Mladen Lompar, the most famous of Tito's portraits is the oil on canvas "Marshal Tito" from 1948, the work of Cetinje native Milo Milunović.

Milunović's portrait of Tito from 1948.
Milunović's portrait of Tito from 1948.photo: Private archive

Bonus video: