Culture minister Aleksandar Bogdanović emphasized that we’re often witnesses of exaggerated political influence in the culture, which results in daily political abuses of it. In an interview with CdM, Bogdanović said certain media misled the public when it comes to the Law on State Symbols, as it never explained that this law hasn’t been adopted in order to penalize but to prevent the activities referring to disrespect for the national symbols. He also stressed he was surprised by the request of the Bosniak diaspora to abolish Njegos award, which is unacceptable, according to him.
Here are some brief extracts from the interview with Bogdanović:
CdM: We are witnesses that many topics and news related to the culture are being politicized. What do you think, why has the politics interfered in culture?
Bogdanović: Nowadays, we often witness the exaggerated political impact on the culture, so that we have daily political abuses of it. This is the case in almost all modern countries, as well as in Montenegro. And today, thanks to a frequent abuse of communication technologies, many are trying to revise our history, tradition and culture. Those people would love to change not only the past, but the future as well, simultaneously trying to convince us in their harmful views, activities and goals.
The latest example of such a strategy is the intention to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Podgorica Assembly. They don’t mind using culture and cultural institutions just to reach their goal. Part of it is just a provocation, reflected in their request to have a celebration in the Montenegrin National Theatre, CNP, which wasn’t approved neither by the CNP nor the Ministry of Culture.
CdM: After the government announced amendments to the Law on State Symbols and Statehood Day, the news went viral and there have been many discussions about penalties. Can you explain why the govt had opted for such a decision?
Bogdanović: I don’t see why all the fuss about the amendments to the Law on State Symbols and Statehood Day. We will all agree that you may not love the ruling coalition, but you must show respect for the state, regardless of the existing disagreements. Montenegro has just followed good practice from the region and world. I think media misled the public by having negative campaigns, not explaining people that this Law was not adopted in order to penalize but to prevent activities referring to disrespect for the national symbols.
CdM: What was your reaction when you read the request of the Bosniak diaspora to abolish the Njegoš award?
Bogdanović: Sincerely, I was surprised to see it. I think it’s unacceptable. I will repeat once again – the only relevant position on the “Mountain Wreath” (in Montenegrin: Gorski vijenac) is the one given by the literary history and critical analysis, which had been described as one of the most significant one in the old Slavic Literacy…
