Celebration of Statehood Day in Cetinje
On July 13th, the mayor of Cetinje, Nikola Đurašković, along with President of the Assembly of the Capital, Milena Vujović, and President of the Association of Fighters of the National Liberation War and anti-fascists of Cetinje, Borislav Pravilović, paid tribute by laying a wreath at the memorial ossuary to honor the patriots and victims of fascism from the area of Cetinje who perished from 1941 until 1944.
In a commanding address to the audience, Mayor Đurašković proclaimed that today, we commemorate a date forever etched in golden letters in the illustrious history of Montenegro and the hearts of all its citizens.
“Let us take a moment to reflect on the significance of this day, a day that marks the pivotal moment when our fellow citizens rose in the first national uprising in Europe against fascism 83 years ago. Their unwavering dedication and sacrifice in the relentless struggle from 1941 to 1944 for the emancipation of their country and future generations will forever be etched in our hearts. It is with profound reverence and appreciation that we honor them – true heroes who selflessly gave their lives to secure our freedom and the enduring peace that we cherish today. We pay homage to the 120 compatriots whose memory is enshrined in the monument before which we stand today,” conveyed Đurašković.
Mr. Đurašković recalled the significance of July 13, 1878, when Montenegro secured international recognition of its independence at the Congress of Berlin. This particular day commemorates two pivotal moments from different centuries, reaffirming our steadfast commitment to the pursuit of freedom.
Today, alongside the Ossuary Memorial, city officials and representatives from UBNOR Cetinje honored the victims of the tragic shooting on July 30, 1941, by laying wreaths at the nearby monument.
In commemoration of Statehood Day, the esteemed historian Petar Glenža unveiled the exhibition “From Mara and Dafina, to Jovana and Stana: Women in the Archives of the Former Court (1485 – 1833)” at the Central Library of Montenegro “Đurđe Crnojević.”
The exhibition provides a comprehensive glimpse into the archival material of the specified fund, focusing on women’s history. This collection spans from the earliest document dating back to 1485, mentioning Mara Crnojević, the wife of Ivan Crnojević, to the 1833 Law of Paternity, which dedicates three articles specifically to women within the legal Code.
During the inauguration of the exhibition, the mayor of the Old Royal Capital Cetinje, Nikola Đurašković, expressed how the display of diverse photo reproductions by the exhibition’s author, Petar Glendža, provided an intimate portrayal of Montenegrin women and their roles within specific life and historical contexts.
“Montenegro, with its rich history and cultural heritage, has long been the land of heroes, warriors, and statesmen. However, behind every story of courage and perseverance, there are also women whose contributions were often invisible but no less important. This exhibition is dedicated to them – mothers, sisters, and wives, who have contributed to the progress of our society throughout the ages,” said Đurašković.
The author of the exhibition, historian Petar Glendža, has indicated that the opening date of the exhibition, July 13th, which coincides with the Statehood Day of Montenegro, was deliberately selected to symbolically underscore the historical significance of women. This was achieved through a curated selection of valuable archive materials.
Upon thorough research, close to 200 documents pertaining to the subject matter were meticulously examined. Within these documents, specific units were identified, forming the basis for the classification of the material. These units encompass family relations such as parenthood, marriage, and divorce, as well as the responsibilities following divorce or the passing of a spouse. Additionally, the documents cover topics related to gifts, wills, property relations, various offenses, and the regulation of the status and obligations of women as depicted in the codes. “Furthermore,” as stated by Glendža, “the exhibition was meticulously arranged in chronological order.”
The exhibition was realized under the patronage of the Old Royal Capital Cetinje. Its partners are the National Museum of Montenegro and the “Đurđe Crnojević” National Library of Montenegro.
The music-drama program “Montenegrin Artists to the Old Royal Capital” was held on the Summer Stage. Aleksej Molchanov, Tanja Ševaljević Bogdanović, Nedeljko Pejović, Zoran Vujović, Sanja Đuranović and Mija Kovačević performed.