ZAGREB ZAGREB, Oct 26 (Hina) - A traditional Montenegrin national holiday was celebrated in Zagreb on Saturday under the organisation of the Association of Croatian Montenegrins.
ZAGREB, Oct 26 (Hina) - A traditional Montenegrin national holiday
was celebrated in Zagreb on Saturday under the organisation of the
Association of Croatian Montenegrins. #L#
The celebration was dedicated to the Montenegrin sovereign, prince
and king Nikola Petrovic Njegos I, who ruled Montenegro from 1860 to
1916.
The gathered were addressed on behalf of the Croatian government by
Foreign Minister Tonino Picula, who spoke about the political and
cultural cooperation between the two peoples.
Two important publications from Montenegrin history were presented
at the event. The first is the "Diplomatic Delegations in the
Principality and Kingdom of Montenegro" (unofficial translation),
which speaks about the functioning of an independent Montenegro
during the time of King Nikola Petrovic I who established
diplomatic relations with 11 states which had their embassies in
Cetinje.
Montenegro, it was said, had established diplomatic relations with
11 states, including the then world powers and Balkan states, as
well as diplomatic relations of a lower rank with a number of other
European countries.
It is interesting that it also signed an inter-state agreement with
the Vatican (the so-called concordat) in 1886 and was among the
first in the world, and the first Slav country to have concluded
such an agreement.
The second book, "Vlaho Bukovac in Montenegro" (unofficial
translation), by Andja Kapicic presents Bukovac's works relating
to Montenegro.
Bukovac portrayed the Montenegin royal family and common folk.
Besides Vlaho Bukovac, other famous Croatian artists also visited
Montenegro, including Ferdo Kikerec, Ivan Rendic and Mate Celestin
Medovic.
Today's event also included an exhibition of the coats-of-arms of
states which had embassies in Montenegro.
According to the organiser, the purpose of the event is to show the
rich history of Montenegro, once a sovereign state which today also
aspires to become an international legal subject and join European
integration courses.
Speaking at the event were the president of the central Montenegrin
cultural society "Matica crnogorska" from Podgorica, Branko
Banjic, a professor of Zagreb's Faculty of Political Sciences,
Dragutin Lalovic, and others.
The guests included a famous diplomat, 95-year-old Vladimir
Velebit.
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