The prestigious July 13th Award in Montenegro, the highest civilian honor, stirred up significant controversy recently. The recipient, Becir Vukovic, an author with a contentious reputation for denying the existence of the Montenegrin nation, sparked outrage and dissent among citizens. The decision to bestow this accolade upon Vukovic led to protests erupting outside Villa Gorica in Podgorica, Montenegro’s capital.
On that fateful evening, artists, scientists, and opposition activists gathered near the venue of the awards ceremony. Chants of “Treason!
” filled the air as protesters vehemently expressed their disapproval by brandishing placards bearing messages like “
Stop Fascism.” Emotions ran high as some individuals attempted to breach a police barricade, resulting in authorities deploying pepper spray to disperse the agitated crowd. Amidst the chaos, one person collapsed and required medical attention.
Critics raised valid concerns about Vukovic’s award-winning book titled *The Homeless House*. Questions surfaced regarding its legitimacy as it was neither officially registered nor readily available in bookstores. There were even doubts about whether the book had been published at all. Film director Mladen Ivanovic highlighted the significance of July 13th in Montenegro’s history—a date symbolizing resistance against fascism and wartime occupation. He warned against compromising such foundational values that define their nation’s identity.
In a surprising turn of events related to this award ceremony, renowned classical guitarist Milos Karadaglic declined his nomination a day prior despite intending to donate his prize money to support young artists. Expressing regret over circumstances beyond his control that influenced his decision, Karadaglic gracefully stepped back from accepting the honor.
Moreover, graphic artist Veljo Stanisic received criticism for questioning Karadaglic’s worthiness of recognition due to what he perceived as modesty and humility on Karadaglic’s part—qualities he associated with their musical tradition. This incident further fueled debates surrounding artistic merit and recognition within Montenegro’s cultural landscape.
The controversy surrounding these awards also triggered legal actions such as physicist Dragan Hajdukovic filing a complaint citing violations under Article 17 of the Law on State Awards concerning multiple nominations from a single field. This move underscored concerns about fair representation across diverse sectors like science where notable achievements by biologists remained unrecognized.
The Minister of Science and Education emphasized that excellence must be acknowledged across all domains to maintain credibility and uphold standards reflective of Montenegro’s commitment to democracy and European ideals.“These values are our guiding principles,” reiterated President Jakov Milatovic while stressing how honoring historical milestones is essential for preserving national identity amidst evolving social dynamics.
As protests continue echoing through Montenegrin streets following this contentious award ceremony, it remains evident that this episode has not only stirred public dissent but also raised pertinent questions about transparency and inclusivity in recognizing exceptional contributions across various fields within society.
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