Protests Erupt Over Controversial Writer’s National Award
Podgorica, Montenegro – Street protests erupted in Montenegro’s capital on Tuesday evening following the awarding of the nation’s highest civilian honor, the July 13th Award, to a writer known for publicly denying the existence of the Montenegrin nation. The controversial decision has sparked outrage among artists, scientists, and opposition activists, leading to clashes with police.
Key Takeaways
- Protests against the award to writer Becir Vukovic turned violent, with police using pepper spray.
- Critics question the integrity of the award, citing Vukovic’s controversial views and the questionable publication status of his awarded book.
- Renowned guitarist Milos Karadaglic declined his award, citing "circumstances beyond my control."
- Legal challenges have been filed, arguing the award process violated state law.
- The controversy highlights a divide over national identity and the award’s symbolic meaning.
Outrage and Confrontation
An hour before the official ceremony at Villa Gorica, a crowd of artists, scientists, and opposition figures gathered, chanting "Treason!" and displaying signs that read "Stop Fascism." Tensions escalated when a group attempted to push past a police barricade, resulting in police deploying pepper spray to disperse the demonstrators. One individual reportedly collapsed and required medical attention.
The decision to honor Becir Vukovic, whose book "The Homeless House" is reportedly not registered or available in bookstores, has drawn sharp criticism. Film director Mladen Ivanovic voiced concerns about the award’s diminished integrity, emphasizing the historical significance of July 13th, a date commemorating Montenegro’s 1941 anti-fascist uprising.
Declining the Honor and Internal Disputes
While graphic artist Veljo Stanisic and classical guitarist Milos Karadaglic were also recipients of the July 13th Award, Karadaglic preemptively declined his honor. He stated that while he intended to donate the prize money to young artists, he could not accept the award under the current circumstances. Stanisic, however, criticized Karadaglic’s decision, deeming him "not worthy" of the award and questioning his connection to Montenegro’s musical tradition, despite Karadaglic’s international acclaim.
Legal and Political Scrutiny
The controversy has also prompted legal action. Physicist Dragan Hajdukovic has filed a complaint with the Administrative Court, asserting that awarding three individuals from the same arts category contravenes Article 17 of the Law on State Awards, which permits only one nomination per field. Additionally, Minister of Science and Education Andjela Jaksic Stojanovic questioned the absence of awards for recent scientific breakthroughs, such as the discovery of a new plant genus by biologists Snezana Dragicevic and Snezana Vuksanovic, emphasizing that the award should reflect excellence across all sectors.
Official Statements and Symbolism
Parliament Speaker Andrija Mandic, a proponent of Serbian nationalism, lauded Vukovic’s work, comparing it to "the greatest names in Serbian literature." He also praised Stanisic’s exhibit, "Evolution," as a reminder that history is shaped "with both the sword and the brush." President Jakov Milatovic, meanwhile, underscored the award’s connection to Montenegro’s anti-fascist heritage and civic society, stating that these values are fundamental to modern Montenegro and that the award must reflect a commitment to democracy and the nation’s European aspirations. He also recalled the award’s commemoration of Montenegro’s international recognition at the 1878 Berlin Congress, urging those involved in the awards process to uphold these core values.
Sources
- Montenegrin Award for Controversial Writer Sparks Street Protests, Balkan Insight.
