BREAKING: A compelling literary evening featuring renowned Croatian author Boris Njavro unfolded on October 20, 2023, in Cetinje, highlighting the profound cultural connections between Montenegro and Croatia. The event, organized by the National Library and Reading Room “Njegoš”, attracted a captivated audience eager to engage with Njavro’s work and insights.
In her opening remarks, cultural expert Saša Božović emphasized Njavro’s influential role as the president of the Dubrovnik Writers’ Association and editor of the respected journal Literat. With two short story collections and multiple publications focusing on Dubrovnik, Njavro’s contributions are vital to understanding the region’s literary landscape.
Professor Veljko Đukanović praised Njavro’s collection “Stories of Love and War and Two Old Ones”, describing it as a powerful literary confession that encapsulates an intimate Mediterranean world. He stated, “This is a space of memory and wounds, but also of warmth and human fragility.”
During the event, Adrijan Vuksanović, president of the Montenegrin Writers’ Association, highlighted how such evenings foster mutual respect and understanding between peoples. He recalled the solidarity expressed during the 1992 war years when Cetinjani sang, “From Lovćen, a fairy calls, forgive us, Dubrovnik,” symbolizing their moral stance against adversity.
Njavro’s stories, imbued with irony and pain, reflect personal experiences and serve as authentic testimonies of a significant era. Dr. Domagoj Vidović pointed out Cetinje’s crucial role in preserving language and identity, noting that language is the foundation of culture and national continuity.
The conversation between Njavro and Božidar Prorocić sparked a heartfelt dialogue about literature as a space for truth and the bonds between Croatian and Montenegrin cultures. Njavro remarked that the voices from Cetinje have remained strong in the hearts of Dubrovnik and its citizens. “The words ‘From Lovćen, a fairy calls, forgive us, Dubrovnik’ were a human cry, a sign of conscience and courage from the honorable part of Montenegro,” he stated.
Throughout the evening, the audience engaged actively, sharing their thoughts and asking questions, creating a rare and meaningful interaction between the author and his readers. The event concluded with a significant gesture of cultural exchange, where Njavro gifted numerous editions of his work and those of Dubrovnik authors to the attendees and the host institution.
In a symbolic act of gratitude, the director of the National Library presented Njavro with valuable monographs on Montenegro, emphasizing that these exchanges represent enduring records of mutual respect and the traditions that unite us.
The evening not only celebrated Njavro’s literary achievements but also reinforced the idea that literature can transcend boundaries and political divides, fostering deeper connections between communities. As the dialogue continued, it became clear that such events are pivotal in bridging cultural gaps and nurturing a shared literary heritage.
