July 13th – Symbol and Guiding Idea of Today, Independent, Progressive and European Montenegro
Rector of the University of Montenegro, Danilo Nikolić, PhD, pointed out, at opening of the round table entitled July 13 - the value foundation of European Montenegro, the goal of this institution, as fundamental institution of Montenegrin education, science and culture, and thus Montenegrin statehood and identity, to contribute to celebrating the most important date for our state.
"July 13th is not only a date, but also a strong symbol of the Montenegrin historical vertical - a symbol not only of the best in Montenegrin being in the past and present, but, and even more, a guide that shows the way to the future," Nikolic said adding that not any other date is so strongly tied to one nation and its country as the thirteenth of July is woven into the being of the Montenegrin people.
The Rector referred to the importance of this date for affirmation of Montenegrin statehood throughout history and stated that the state-building and anti-fascist symbolism, identity and libertarian personification of the mentioned date represented value foundation and idea leading to today's independent, progressive and European Montenegro.
"The historical deeds of Montenegrin people should serve as an example and a signpost, as a source of inspiration and pride, but also as lessons to young generations who teach us wisdom, tolerance, prudence and humanity, in order to face new challenges, consistent with ideals symbolized by Montenegrin July 13th ", Rector Nikolić pointed out.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro, Zoran Pažin, emphasized that July 13, as a symbol of the insatiable aspiration of Montenegrin citizens for freedom and justice, is confirmation that the oldest and most important values in civil Montenegro are those that unite Montenegrin citizens of all religions and nations. "Only on such values we build the state identity of modern Montenegro, which is deeper and older than all our differences," the Vice-President said.
He emphasized that the July 13th heritage as a great moral capital of today's Montenegro, but also a clear signpost of its future development and progress, was not given to Montenegro, but Montenegrins of all faiths and nations lived and died for them through the centuries, Pazin said.
The chief negotiator of Montenegro with the European Union, Aleksandar Drljević, said that Montenegro, today, is resolutely moving towards the community of states that ensured peace and stability on the European continent after the Second World War. "We used to defend our right to freedom and a just society with weapons, and today we are defending that right with dedicated work and reforms that will bring lives of Montenegrin citizens closer to the European quality of life," Drljevic added.
The importance of the People's Liberation Struggle for Montenegrin identity was pointed out by the President of SUBOR and anti-fascists of Montenegro, Zuvdija Hodzic, emphasizing importance of Statehood Day as the most magnificent day in Europe and the world, whose achievements are preserved by Modern Montenegro.
He said that July 13 is an expression of centuries-old aspirations and aspirations, and that it unites everything that was free in Montenegro. In addition to being a lighthouse for us, as Hodžić states, this date is also an example to Europe and the world and is synonymous with Montenegrin perseverance and freedom.
Dean of the Faculty of Political Sciences Milan Markovic, PhD, emphasized that the Thirteenth of July is uprising as a magnificent event in the European history of the 20th century, a symbol of resistance to fascism, is a sign of the awakening of free Montenegro. "The primary basis for creation of a multicultural, multi-confessional, democratic Montenegro that inherits: freedom, peace, rule of law, tolerance, dignity," Markovic said.
Observed in historical vertical in terms of results and achievements, the Thirteenth July Uprising, the Director of the Historical Institute Dr. Radoslav Raspopovic says, can be counted among the dates that created and maintained the "Montenegrin name" and made Montenegro recognizable on the political map of Europe.
The President of the Committee for Education, Science, Culture and Sports in the Parliament of Montenegro, Radula Novović, MA, explained that July 13, on several grounds, is one of the most important segments of the value foundation of Montenegro as a European state, and that it symbolizes the ideal of unity of Montenegrin society as a goal, which is followed by the vision of a united anti-fascist Europe.
The round table was organized by the University of Montenegro, the Institute of History and the Faculty of Political Sciences and is one of a series of social dialogues, scientific forums and round tables, in which representatives of academia, business and society discuss current challenges and development perspectives of contemporary Montenegrin society organized by UMNE.