The Ministry of European Affairs, with the support of the European Union Delegation to Montenegro through the EU4ME project, in cooperation with the Municipality and the Public Institution Secondary Mixed School “Ivan Goran Kovačić”, marked Europe Day in Herceg Novi through a cultural and artistic program that brought together students, teachers, representatives of institutions, and citizens. The celebration in Herceg Novi was dedicated to the values of togetherness, mutual understanding, and connection among people, which students of the Herceg Novi secondary school presented through music, drama, and visual art.
Opening the program, the Vice President of the Municipality of Herceg Novi, Ivan Otović, said that Europe Day represents an opportunity to once again affirm the values that connect European communities. He added that Herceg Novi confirms its European orientation through its leading position in the country in terms of the number of implemented IPA projects carried out with the support of European Union funds.
“Our city has shown that a local community can be a strong driver of European integration and an example of successful use of available development mechanisms. Our vision is Herceg Novi as a strongly connected and internationally recognized city, positioned on the European map as a meeting place of cultures and a reliable partner in regional and European cooperation processes,” said Otović.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro for Foreign and European Affairs, Dr Filip Ivanović, pointed out that this year’s celebration of Europe Day has special significance in the year when Montenegro marks two decades since the restoration of independence and stands on the threshold of achieving its most important strategic goal – membership in the European Union.
“This process is not just a set of reforms – it is a fundamental social transformation that enriches the everyday lives of our citizens and communities. At the same time, it brings new strength to the development of our municipalities – through support for agriculture, improvement of local infrastructure, environmental protection, and the creation of a better quality living environment. By strengthening institutions and the rule of law, we are building a society in which trust is understood and security becomes a shared value,” said Dr Filip Ivanović, Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro for Foreign and European Affairs.
Program Manager at the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro, Orlando Fusco, said that the idea of Europe is simple but powerful – that countries and people are stronger when they work together, and that European values are best built through togetherness, culture, and local communities.
“That idea has shaped Europe for more than 70 years, and its importance today is no less significant. This month, throughout Montenegro, we see that idea in action – through culture, music, sports, and local tradition, as together we mark Europe Day in cities across the country. Such moments bring people together. They make Europe tangible and close. They show that Europe is not something distant, but something we build together every day – in our villages, towns, and neighbourhoods,” said Fusco.
The cultural and artistic program “I Can Do It Alone, But I Don’t Have To” was held at the “Park” hall, where students used music, drama, and visual art to send messages of togetherness, empathy, and mutual support. The program, inspired by freedom, solidarity, and the connection between people, was especially marked by a segment from the musical Hair, which conveyed the spirit of togetherness and freedom. At the same time, the exhibition “Hands” was presented, through which students symbolically depicted friendship, warmth, and connection among people. The Director of the Public Institution Secondary Mixed School “Ivan Goran Kovačić”, Ljiljana Karanović, thanked the students and teachers who participated in the realization of the program, emphasizing the importance of art and education in promoting togetherness and mutual understanding among young people.
“Europe Day is not the only day when we speak about values, but it is an opportunity to remind ourselves of what is important to all of us – the freedom for young people to express themselves, cooperation, mutual support, and shared progress. It is precisely through good cooperation between schools, the local community, and all relevant institutions that we show how important it is to support one another and build an environment in which young people have space to develop their knowledge, ideas, and potential,” emphasized Karanović.
As part of the Europe Day celebration in Herceg Novi, a visit to the EU project SINERGY was also organized, as well as an official meeting of delegations from the Municipality of Herceg Novi, the Government of Montenegro, and representatives of the Delegation of the European Union, during which discussions were held on European integration, local development, and the importance of European projects for improving the quality of life of citizens.
The Europe Day celebration, organized by the Ministry of European Affairs, is being held throughout Montenegro, and in addition to Herceg Novi, programs during May will also take place in Andrijevica, Cetinje, Kotor, Tuzi, Plav, and Gusinje.