Book Launch on Montenegro’s Stone Masonry Tradition Set for November 18

A new book exploring Montenegro’s stone masonry tradition will be launched on November 18, 2023, at 18:00 in Podgorica. Titled “Tragom crnogorskih klesara,” the work by publicist and editor Slobodan Čukić has been published by Matica crnogorska. The event will take place at the organization’s premises located on Beogradska street, where Čukić will discuss his findings with Dragana Erjavšek.

This comprehensive, richly illustrated volume delves deeply into the history of stone masonry in Montenegro. The first section emphasizes the tradition of dry stone construction, which has been a distinctive feature of rural stone masons since the arrival of the Romans in the region. The latter part of the book focuses on gravestones from the period of 1878 to 1941, showcasing a variety of naive representations, including portraits of the deceased, depictions of churches, crosses, decorations such as orders, weapons, saints, angels, birds, and intricate floral and geometric patterns.

The book was edited by Marko Špadijer, with Ivan Jovović, the president of Matica crnogorska, signing on behalf of the publisher. The publication comprises 236 pages and is part of the “Tragovima prošlosti” library series, featuring numerous photographs and illustrations primarily sourced from field research conducted by the author.

Slobodan Čukić, born in Peć in 1964, holds a degree in philosophy from the Faculty of Philosophy in Nikšić. His career includes roles at Radio Montenegro and the daily newspaper “Vijesti,” where he was a cultural editor and later the editor of the Archive and Science sections. Since September 2015, he has served as the editor of the Feljton and Archive sections at “Pobjeda.” He is a member of Matica crnogorska, the Duklja Academy of Sciences and Arts, and the Montenegrin PEN Centre.

Throughout his career, Čukić has published essays and articles in various journals covering topics ranging from philosophy and political science to film criticism and historical-ethnological essays. His previous works include “Izdaja o kojoj se ćutalo cijeli vijek” (2016), “Podgorički brevijar” (2018), “Početak srpske okupacije – komitska borba i narodna golgota 1918–1920” (2019), “Iz dubina lješanske prošlosti” (2019), “Od Podgorice ka Cetinju – Stara Crna Gora s istoka” (2021), and “Zmije na pravoslavnim grobljima u Crnoj Gori” (2024).

Initially scheduled for November 6, the promotion of “Tragom crnogorskih klesara” was postponed due to a day of mourning declared by the government following the tragic deaths of 11 individuals at a retirement home in Tuzla.