Alumnus Dušan Kovačević: Perseverance as the key to success and the power of facing challenges
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The "Alumni Stories" workshop, featuring renowned actor and producer Dušan Kovačević, was held last night in the lobby of the technical faculties in Podgorica, as part of the Festival of Arts, Science, and Culture (FUNK). This event, also organized within the Erasmus+ project AL4Life, brought together students, professors, alumni, and the wider academic community, providing an opportunity to hear inspiring stories from the world of film and theater. (PHOTO)
Kovačević, an alumnus of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts whom Dragan Nikolić once referred to as his successor in Montenegro, was introduced by the Dean of the Faculty of Dramatic Arts and President of the FUNK UCG Organizing Committee, Prof. Dr. Edin Jašarović, at the beginning of the evening.
Jašarović noted that Kovačević is an actor, producer, and director who began his producing career immediately after graduating with the series *Dojč kafe*. The dean also highlighted Kovačevićs successful tenure as the director of the City Theater.
Kovačević shared with the audience anecdotes and experiences that shaped his career, particularly focusing on the challenges he faced in the early stages of his development. He emphasized the importance of desire, perseverance, and teamwork as key factors for success. In a humorous and straightforward manner, he spoke about his beginnings in the world of acting, his journey from being a "beginner" to achieving regional success, and how unconscious decisions turned into a conscious path to success.
Dušan Kovačević pointed out that, although an actor’s journey is often full of challenges and obstacles, he never considered giving up. He believes that winners don’t quit and that when faced with the toughest moments, it’s crucial to get up and keep going. He drew a parallel with childhood games, where persistence and stubbornness often lead to victory, highlighting that life is not an easy opponent. According to him, falls are natural and beneficial because they strengthen us, and the more obstacles we overcome, the more resilient we become.
He added that success is the result of a combination of self-belief, patience, and constant effort. Despite difficult moments and setbacks, each challenge presents an opportunity for growth. He emphasized that there is no need to fear failure – it is through facing difficulties that we become stronger and more prepared for new opportunities. His message was clear: success comes to those who persevere and continue to believe in their abilities, even when everything seems like an obstacle.
The audience had the chance to ask questions, and many students showed interest in Kovačević’s experience working on the Montenegrin series *Dojč kafe*. They also touched on the importance of academic education, where Kovačević stressed that, although improvisation inevitably plays a key role, a solid academic foundation is indispensable for continuous growth in any creative field.
One of the key messages of Kovačević’s workshop was the importance of trust and mutual support within a team, which he demonstrated through practical exercises with the participants, highlighting how trust creates security and enables creative freedom.
This event was more than just a lecture – it was an interactive meeting of generations, where inspiration and advice were equally shared between students and the alumnus.