Dispute Over Museum Leadership Leads to Police Involvement

Tensions escalated at the Museum and Galleries of Budva as newly appointed director, Ivana Ćupić, entered the office amid a dispute with former director Lucija Đurašković. The confrontation, which took place on December 2, 2023, involved police intervention after allegations of illegal actions surfaced regarding the change in leadership.

According to Branka Čvorović, president of the Museum Council, Ćupić successfully accessed the office despite Đurašković’s failure to return the office keys. Čvorović confirmed that Đurašković removed her belongings but did not relinquish control of the office space, necessitating the use of a “second key” to gain entry. She refrained from commenting on whether the office had to be forcibly opened or if the lock was replaced.

Đurašković, however, claims that the new administration unlawfully entered her office. In an interview, she stated, “They broke into the office, and the newly appointed director entered using a forged seal. They never delivered the resolution regarding my dismissal, and I have reported this break-in to the police.”

This conflict is complicated by conflicting statements regarding the legitimacy of Đurašković’s tenure. While she maintains that she has continued to fulfill her duties as director, citing the museum’s statute allowing her to serve until a new director is appointed, Čvorović stated that a formal resolution was sent to Đurašković about her dismissal weeks prior.

When pressed about the timeline of her leadership, Đurašković referenced her mandate from 2017, arguing, “I have led the museum for all this time pending the appointment of a new director. Whether this situation is legitimate is another matter. I am not to blame for the council’s failure to appoint a new director.”

The situation has raised questions about the governance of the museum, with Đurašković denying any communication breakdowns and asserting that she has been misrepresented by the current council. She refuted claims that she was offered a temporary position until her retirement eligibility, insisting, “Everything they said is untrue. I can prove it.”

As a response to the unfolding events, Đurašković plans to escalate the matter to the Special State Prosecutor’s Office, aiming to exhaust all legal avenues to assert her position and protect her interests. She expressed concern about the condition of the museum’s assets, stating, “Now that they have broken into my office, I am no longer responsible for ensuring that nothing valuable has been stolen.”

The new administration, led by Ćupić, has not publicly addressed these allegations, although Čvorović assured that all actions taken were legitimate and within the framework of municipal support. “We entered the office completely regularly, with the backing of the founders and the municipality. We are all here, and we are prepared to carry on with our work,” she stated.

As this situation continues to develop, the future of the Museum and Galleries of Budva remains uncertain, with both parties positing contrasting narratives regarding the leadership transition and the legal implications of their actions.