With art, sports, and fun, Berane celebrated Europe Day. The “21st July” Square and the town’s main street were transformed into a vibrant stage of playful teams, European symbols, and sporting competitions as part of the “European Tour – Games Without Borders,” organized by the Ministry of European Affairs and the Municipality of Berane, with support from the Delegation of the European Union to Montenegro through the EU4ME project.
The “European Tour” brought together citizens of all generations—students, teachers, and officials—in the spirit of European values best learned through play, fair play, and collective engagement. The celebration began with a visit to a children’s art exhibition on the town square, followed by the official opening of the “Games Without Borders.”
The Mayor of Berane, Đole Lutovac, wished the young participants good luck, stating that the Games are an excellent opportunity to promote European values.
“Berane is Europe. The local administration will make every necessary effort to improve conditions in all areas and enhance the quality of life for our citizens. We are actively involved in all available EU programs, and in recent months, we’ve participated in calls from CERV, Creative Europe, Interreg Europe, Interreg Adrion, as well as bilateral and trilateral calls,” he stated.
The Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, praised Berane for showing year after year that the European spirit lives not only in big cities and institutions but also in local communities that invest in their children, education, culture, and solidarity.
“I’m pleased to share a wonderful and important piece of news with you—Montenegro has received its first payment from the European Union’s Growth Plan for the Western Balkans, through which we will receive over €300 million in the next three years. A significant portion of this will be invested in education—new schools, kindergartens, and digitalization—which will help you, dear children, acquire new knowledge and skills. The Growth Plan is not just a technical or financial matter—it is proof that our European path is alive, that we are moving forward, and that the European Union believes in us,” Gorčević said.
Malgorzata Skocinska, a representative of the EU Delegation, emphasized their pride in the fact that all Montenegrin municipalities decided to jointly celebrate Europe Day this year.
“Europe Day marks the beginning of peace and unity in Europe. It has never been just a commemoration of the historic Schuman Declaration made 75 years ago—it’s a living reminder of what society can look like when we choose cooperation over conflict. It shows that through dialogue, solidarity, and mutual support, we can build a stronger, shared future. Your presence today proves that European values are not just ideals on paper, but a lived reality—through sports, community spirit, care for the environment, and local development,” said Skocinska.
Great support and inspiration for the children also came from athlete Vučić Dobrašinović, who encouraged them to embrace teamwork and never give up on their goals.
“The European Tour is a chance to show that even in small towns, big hearts beat—that we have potential, a desire to move forward, and the knowledge to get there. The European Union offers so much—for sports, for youth, for the development of our communities. It’s up to us to seize that opportunity, without losing sight of who we are,” said the former boxer from Berane.
Following the official opening, accompanied by cheers from the crowd and a spirited atmosphere, children demonstrated the strength of healthy competition and fair play, creating unforgettable moments full of emotion and sportsmanship. In the “Games Without Borders,” an educational-sports program, students from Berane’s primary schools—“Radomir Mitrović,” “Vuk Karadžić,” “Vukašin Radunović,” and “Donja Ržanica”—competed against one another.
The title of best team went to the students of “Vuk Karadžić” Primary School, who were awarded medals and prizes by officials.
While the games took place in the town’s main street, representatives from the Ministry and the EU Delegation held a meeting with the mayor at the local government building, where they also presented the “EU Info Point”—a new space where citizens can learn about European programs and opportunities.
In the spirit of unity, cooperation, and sportsmanship, the “European Tour – Games Without Borders” continues its journey across Montenegro, delivering the message that European values begin where children learn to play—together. The next stop is Petnjica.