Montenegrin Matica, which in direct translation means "queen bee", is a social and cultural organization that was formed in 1993. It is an independent association, that is, a non-government institution, which is supported and financed only by donations. The organization is growing rapidly, and after three years has about 200 members, mostly writers, artists, scientists, journalists, university professors and others involved in different cultural activities.
Members are elected and work in four sections: science; art, literature and language; education; and culture and cooperation with Montenegrins abroad. The headquarters of Montenegrin Matica is in Cetinje. The main office is in Podgorica. The governing body of Matica consists of a governing committee and a board of directors. A congress is held once yearly. The current president of Montenegrin Matica is Dr. Bozina Ivanovic, an academician and university professor. The vice president is Mrs. Svetlana Radovic, who has a master's degree in architecture and is a member of the Russian Academy of Architecture and Civil Engineering. The general secretary is publicist Marko Spadijer.
Matica's primary purpose is to nourish the cultural identity of Montenegrins and other people who live in Montenegro in all fields of spiritual, scientific, and artistic creativity. It also seeks to nourish the national and cultural consciousness of Montenegrins at home and and abroad. For that purpose, Montenegrin Matica encourages the study of the cultural and historical tradition of Montenegro; publishes books, monographs, almanacs and periodicals; and organizes professional seminars and panels. Matica makes contact with similar foreign institutions for the purpose of introducing and popularizing Montenegrin culture.
Montenegrin Matica makes appeals and announcements on more important cultural and social events. From the beginning of its existence, it has been working for peace, democracy, multi-culturalism, multi-religious tolerance, multi-ethnic tolerance, freedom of the press, and against assimilation and violence. (See On the Endangerment of Montenegrin Culture, People and State.)
Montenegrin Matica is fighting for the integration of the future sovereign and democratic Montenegro into the Mediterranean and European cultural space, and for the establishment of universal criteria and European standards in the domain of social relations and human rights, culture, science, and art. For that purpose, Matica has published its program and vision, "Montenegro on the Threshold of the New Millennium".
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www.montenegro.org Last updated on 9 May 1997