Does the Ministry of Culture and Media know what is being celebrated on May 21?
The Ministry of Culture and Media has no information about the activities being planned or the funds that should be allocated for marking 20 years since the restoration of Montenegro’s independence - this was the response from that government department to an inquiry by Television E via the „Ask the Institutions“ application. This information is devastating for Montenegro, but it clearly reflects a part of the current government, say prominent cultural figures - actress Julija Milačić Petrović Njegoš and director Danilo Marunović.
The Ministry of Culture and Media of Montenegro does not possess information about activity plans or funds allocated for marking 20 years since the restoration of Montenegrin independence.
This, at first glance unbelievable piece of information, is the essence of the official decision signed by Minister of Culture and Media Tamara Vujović in response to a request from Television E, submitted through the application MANS’s „Ask the Institutions“ application.
THE STATE „HAS NO IDEA“
On March 31, Television E requested from the Ministry of Culture and Media, we quote, „all documents related to the marking of 20 years since the restoration of Montenegro’s independence, including the activity plan and the planned financial resources for the implementation of those activities“.
However, the Ministry of Culture rejected the request on April 8 because, as stated in the letter, it „does not possess the information“.
- From the day this request was submitted, this body has not adopted a plan of activities related to marking 20 years since the restoration of Montenegro’s independence, and for that reason it does not possess the other requested documentation; therefore, this request is rejected due to the lack of information - the Ministry of Culture and Media stated in its response.
In the same letter, the Ministry notes that Minister Tamara Vujović is a member of the Committee for marking the twentieth anniversary of Montenegro’s independence, which makes it all the more unusual that her department has absolutely no information about what the current government plans to do on May 21.
WHEN THE GOVERNMENT IGNORES THE HOLIDAY
For well-known Montenegrin actress Julija Milačić Petrović Njegoš, it is not surprising that the Ministry of Culture and Media has no information about the commemoration of 20 years of independence. Milačić considers it „completely expected“ that the Ministry does not have the requested information.
- We live in a country where more than 50 percent of the government never wanted May 21, 2006, to happen. We live in a country where a municipal president says that May 21 is the unhappiest day of his life. So - this is not surprising, but it is devastating for all of us who consider this country our own, our only one, where we pay taxes, where we live, work, and raise our children - the well-known actress said in an interview for ETV.
AN UNACCEPTABLE RESPONSE
Montenegrin director Danilo Marunović points out that such an extremely inappropriate and unacceptable response from the Ministry of Culture demonstrates a lack of statesmanship and a high degree of irresponsibility in communication coming from state institutions.
- In my opinion, such a response suggests one thing: we will not answer your question, we are not interested in your question. It even feels as though we might be mocking you. It is a style that reflects an arrogant attitude toward any serious consideration of responsibility toward Montenegrin statehood and independence - Marunović said in a statement to ETV.
He notes that the conduct of the Ministry of Culture and Media is nothing new and that a similar pattern of behavior has already been seen in several situations.
- A similar approach was evident during the controversy over the awarding of the Thirteenth of July Prize, and later in the controversy over the status of distinguished artists, as well as in the discussions about controversial monuments to war criminals… In each of these examples, there was a dismissive attitude toward any seriousness when it comes to addressing issues of Montenegrin statehood - Marunović concluded.
A MESSAGE FOR MAY 21
Although disappointed by the actions of the Ministry of Culture and Media, actress Julija Milačić Petrović Njegoš has a clear message, not only for people in state institutions who ignore this important national holiday, but also for all citizens.
- Despite everything, we will celebrate this, for me, the happiest day of the year. And to those currently leading the country, I have only one thing to say - may Montenegro be eternal. Cheers to our dear viewers and citizens of Montenegro - the Montenegrin actress concluded.