A phototypic edition of the 15th-century manuscript known as the Cetinje Psalter has been published, marking a significant contribution to Montenegro’s medieval spiritual and cultural heritage. This endeavor, a collaborative effort between Matica Crnogorska and the National Library of Montenegro “Đurđe Crnojević,” was officially presented in Cetinje, a city rich in historical significance.
During the presentation, Ivan Jovović, President of Matica Crnogorska, emphasized that the Cetinje Psalter serves as a testament to Montenegro’s medieval history. He noted that the legacy of their ancestors extends beyond stone inscriptions of names and titles of rulers and clergy. Instead, early manuscripts in Old Church Slavonic reveal a distinct cultural and linguistic expression of the Montenegrin people.
He stated, “If we were to summarize the role of medieval Cyrillic texts in Montenegrin culture, we would find a liturgical book that originated from the authentic practices of the Zeta Metropolitanate, free from the Russian influences that later affected literature within the Montenegrin Orthodox Church since the early 18th century.” Jovović asserted that while the Latin alphabet is the oldest script in Montenegro, the Cyrillic script has played a crucial role in shaping Montenegro’s identity since the 15th century. He also acknowledged a smaller corpus of Glagolitic liturgical texts as part of Montenegro’s literary heritage.
By publishing the Cetinje Psalter, Jovović reiterated the importance of books in the cultural landscape of Montenegro during the medieval period. “Books were not an incidental aspect of culture in Montenegro during the Middle Ages,” he stated.
The edition’s compiler, Ivan Ivanović, General Secretary of Matica Crnogorska, highlighted that Montenegro’s historical, cultural, spiritual, and state continuity is evidenced by numerous historical artifacts, particularly written monuments of culture. He explained how analyses of historiographical and cultural aspects demonstrate significant processes during the reigns of the Balšić and Crnojević dynasties, which were pivotal in the evolution of Montenegro’s statehood and the self-identification of Montenegrins as a national community.
In a detailed discussion about the manuscript, historian Božidar Šekularac, who authored the preface to the phototypic edition, pointed out that the scriptorium and printing house at the Crnojević court in Cetinje likely utilized this Psalter as a model for their work. He noted that the content and style of the text are nearly identical, underscoring its influence.
During the presentation, Dragica Lompar, Director of the National Library of Montenegro, reminded attendees of the value of Montenegro’s medieval written heritage. She stated that many ancient manuscripts and printed books represent significant cultural treasures not just for Montenegro, but with broader civilizational importance.
Lompar also addressed the challenging fate of these books throughout history due to ongoing wars and destruction. She pointed out the role of Vuk Karadžić, who was known for removing and selling old books from Montenegro to collectors and bibliophiles across Europe. “In the book ‘Origins of Printing in Montenegro,’ Evgeny Nemirovsky mentions that Karadžić sold the first shipment from Montenegro, which included the ‘Psalter with a Service’ from 1495, to Russian historian and bibliophile Pogodin for 75 rubles in 1847. Unfortunately, many such shipments found their way to various addresses,” she explained.
The publication of the Cetinje Psalter is not only a revival of an essential piece of Montenegro’s cultural history but also an affirmation of the country’s rich literary tradition that has endured through centuries of challenges.
