Culture

The culture of Montenegro was formed during centuries under the influence of both western, and eastern civilizations as symbiosis of multi-cultural traditions in the widest sense of this word. Today the cultural treasury of Montenegro stores a set of the most valuable archeologic exhibits, written records, works of art which allow to trace all history of its development. A variety of architectural styles, rich collections of museums, archival materials and library funds testifies to originality of the cultural medium of Montenegro.

The first traces of human settlements in territory of Montenegro refer to the era of paleolith. The further development of civilization can be traced from the early Stone Age up to the late bronze and early iron centuries. The most interesting settlements for the world archeology are found in the caves: the Red Wall, Bioce (a canyon of the river Moraca), Malisina cave and the Copper rock (a canyon of the river Cehotina).

Along the coast and in some areas deep into a coastal area since the first century of our era Roman and Illyrian settlements appeared which confirmed the rest of constructions on the crossroads and along the main roads (Risan, Budva, Akruvium, Duklja). Influence of the pre-Romance, Romance, Gothic and baroque styles is typical for architecture and the fine arts of coastal areas of Montenegro. It is visible in ornaments of buildings, groove on a stone and art canvases.

The most quantity of the preserved monuments of history and culture are in the region of Kotorsky Bay, and the best example of them is the Kotor city, entered by UNESCO into the lists of the world cultural heritage. Right in the city, the Catholic cathedral of Sacred Trifon is especially distinguished due to its monumentalism and elegance of architecture. Along the whole Kotorsky Bay a plenty of religious constructions are located, many of them represent the top masterpieces of architectural art, for example Savina orthodox monastery.

In area of the Skadar lake there is an unusual complex of the monasteries erected during the time of government of Balsic dynasty on the smaller islands as Beska, Moracnik, Starcevo, Kom, Vranjina and, also Zabljak, Crnojevic and Lesendro fortresses.

Influence of Byzantium on architecture and the fine arts, in particular, in frescos painting, is well seen in monasteries in the heart of the country. For example, well-known frescos of the Life of Saint Elias from the Moraca monastery is one of the best samples of the Balkans fine arts of the XIII-th century. Pivski monastery is known for the invaluable iconostasis. It is also worth to note Ostrog - the high-mountainous monastery, the cultural and spiritual center of Montenegro.

After the most part of the country had got under the rule of Turkey, the local traditions had closely adjoined to Islamic culture. Evidences to it remained both in cult architecture (a mosque Husein-pasha Bolianic in Plevlja), and in secular architecture (the House of landowner Redzepagica in Plav).

In the second half of XII century the most valuable written records had been created, such as the Annals (Chronicle) of Priest Dukljanin and the Gospel of Miroslav, distinguished by unusual ornaments and fine orthography. Two centuries later one more book appeared, notable by its beauty and historical importance - the Gospel of Divos. Goritcki Collection is one more important evidence to development of literary tradition. It appeared in 1441-42 years and contained Elena Balsic`s correspondence with her confessor Nikon Jerusalemsky, who had written the given book.

The development of the literature, begun in XII century from the simple copying of texts and then proceeding in creation of the new works, in XV century had resulted in occurrence of the new cultural phenomenon - to the invention of printing-press and the beginning of printing of books. The merit of introduction in life of the country of this revolutionary invention belongs Djuradj Crnojevic, the governor of Montenegro and Makarie – a celibate priest, the great master of printing. Printing-house of Crnojevich was the first in the Balkans and, as a matter of fact, the second among all slavic states. In 1493, thirty eight years after issue of the well-known Bible of Johann Gutenberg, in Obodska printing-house, the (the first South Slavic) book "Oktoih Pervoglasnik” (*Oktoih, the first announcer) was published. Remarkable printed traditions of Montenegro got their continuation in the works of Bozidar Vukovic-Podgoricanin, who was called as "prince of printing", for his outstanding merits in printing (he was engaged in it since 1519 to his death in 1539). His son Bozidar-Vicenco Vukovic became the successor of his trade. He had introduced some improvements in the printing-house of his father. Works of the father and son Vukovices were connected to Venice, which as the big cultural center of Europe, had strong influence on Montenegrin culture on the boundary of XVI-XVII centuries. By the way, it is necessary to note, that Andrija Paltasic, a slavonian from Kotor, nowadays located in territory of Montenegro, was the pioneer of printing in the Venetian republic.

Andria Zmajevich, a poet and doctor of theology, was the most known name in the cultural life of Montenegro in XVII century. After the Pope Kliment X appointed him as archbishop of the Bar and primate of Serbian Kingdom, Zmajevich, using his diplomatic talents, had achieved the establishment of good-neighbor relations between orthodox (from whom he was originated), Catholics and Turks. It became a historical example of religious, ethnic and cultural tolerance.

The literature of the country has gone through its best rise in the works of Peter I and Peter II Petrovich (Njegosh). All Petrovich dynasty " dominated both over armies, and feathers (pens) ". The city of Cetinje became the cultural and political center of Montenegro during the epoch of Petrovices. And today Cetinje is the official capital of the country. The city has completely preserved the historical shape and is a museum in the open-air. Among his architectural monuments it is necessary to note the residence Njegoses – the Cetinje monastery, which is together with a museum complex made a significant art and historical treasury of the country.

By the end of XIX century, during the full consolidation of the Montenegrin state Crnogorskogo, in Cetinje the set of representation buildings had been built: a palace of king Nikola (1867), Russian, French, Italian, Serbian, British, Austro-Hungarian, Turkish and other embassies, a palace of a successor to the throne (the Blue palace), Zeta House (theatre), building of the Government, etc.

The first half of the twentieth century had introduced some new vanguard trends into the literature of the country. Especially it is necessary to mention such poets of that time, as Risto Ratkovic, Radovan Zogovic. Mihailo Lalic is the most interesting figure out of prose writers, who in his novels described troublesome historical events in the country during the Second world war. The artists of Montenegro also kept step with the modern tendencies in the field of the fine arts. Transforming the colors and natural beauty of the native country into symbolics of abstractionism, these artists created the canvases, obtained the world recognition. Paintings of Peter Lubarda, Milo Milunovic, Dado Djuric, Branko Filipovich-Filo, Vojo Stanic were exhibited at the world largest galleries and are available in the collections of many known museums.

Theatrical life of Montenegro was arisen from the moment of construction Zeta House in Cetinje at home in 1888. At that time the library, a museum and archives were located under one roof with the theatre. All further development of theatrical life occurred under guardianship of the state. It was interesting fact, that in the 50th years in Montenegro, five professional theatres were functioning in the cities of Cetinje, Podgorica, Niksich, Kotor and Plevlje. At that time Montenegro won the first place in Europe by the number of theatres per capita.

After the Second world war the cinematography began to develop rapidly in the country - in many respects Montenegro is the unique country for producers, including as the natural open-air studio for shooting of action films. And the modern culture of Montenegro, being developed in the environment of so inspiring nature, gives birth to many interesting trends and phenomena. It allows to think, that the country has all chances to find its (place) niche in the universal cultural process.