Maribor Celebrates Montenegro with Culture and Friendship Festivities

Maribor, Slovenia, came alive from October 16 to 18, 2023, as it hosted “Days of Montenegro in Slovenia,” an event organized by the Montenegro Cultural Society “Komovi.” The festival celebrated Montenegrin culture through art, music, gastronomy, and friendship, drawing participants from Montenegro, Slovenia, and the Montenegrin diaspora. This gathering highlighted the sentiment that cultural connections transcend geographical borders.

Artistic Showcases and Diplomatic Engagements

The festivities kicked off with a captivating performance by Oxana Pečený, a renowned violinist and concertmaster of the Symphony Orchestra of the Slovenian National Theatre in Maribor. Following her performance, Dragan Tufegdzic, Montenegro’s ambassador to Slovenia, inaugurated an exhibition featuring works by Montenegrin artist Hajdana Kostić Hajdi. In his speech, Tufegdzic emphasized the importance of the Montenegrin diaspora and the need to strengthen cultural bridges between Montenegro and Slovenia.

Among the attendees was Srečko Vilar, Deputy Mayor of Maribor, who underscored the value of cooperation and friendship between the two nations. The event also included a friendly football match between teams representing the Montenegrin diaspora and veterans from NK Maribor, further promoting camaraderie through sports.

Exploring Tourism and Culinary Delights

The second day of the event focused on Montenegrin tourism and gastronomy. Representatives from the National Tourism Organization of Montenegro and local tourism organizations from Gusinje, Cetinje, Rožaje, and Danilovgrad presented the country’s tourism potential. Visitors had the opportunity to taste authentic Montenegrin cuisine prepared by members of NVU “Žene Bara,” showcasing the rich flavors of Montenegrin culture.

The festival culminated on October 18 with the launch of a special bilingual edition of the magazine “Komuna,” published for the first time in both Montenegrin and Slovenian. Esteemed speakers included Vojislav Kovač, honorary consul of Montenegro in Slovenia, and Denis Martinović, acting director of the Directorate for Cooperation with the Diaspora of Montenegro’s Ministry for Diaspora. They highlighted the significance of this thematic issue and its role in fostering cultural dialogue.

Additionally, Igor Đurović, a journalist of Montenegrin descent from the Ljubljana newspaper “Delo,” and Doc. Dr. Peđa Ašanin Gole, a professor at the Faculty of Applied Social Studies in Slovenia, contributed to discussions about the magazine’s impact. The event also featured comments from Mr. Amer Ramusović, editor-in-chief of “Komuna.”

The highlight of the festival was a grand evening program titled “Evening of Traditions, Music, and Community,” held at the packed Štuka hall. The nearly two-hour performance included a variety of artists from Montenegro, Slovenia, and the region. The audience enjoyed powerful performances such as the national anthem of Montenegro sung by opera singer Petra Radulović from Vienna, and a stirring recitation of verses by Petar II Petrović Njegoš by renowned Slovenian actress of Montenegrin descent Milada Kalezić.

Following her, Nora Pavićević, secretary of CKD “Komovi” in Maribor, recited verses from the famous Slovenian poet France Prešeren, symbolically linking the cultural spaces of Montenegro and Slovenia. The event was enriched by various folklore ensembles from Montenegro and the region, receiving thunderous applause from the audience.

Overall, the “Days of Montenegro in Slovenia” served as a vibrant reminder of the power of cultural exchange, reinforcing the bonds of friendship between the two nations and celebrating the richness of Montenegrin heritage.