The non-governmental organisations Centre for Civic Education (CCE) and Antifascists of Cetinje have today submitted an initiative to the Municipality of Cetinje proposing the restoration of the cinema hall of the Local Community in Rijeka Crnojevića.
The hall is located in a building constructed in 1957, with the first film screening held a year later. For decades, it served as the cultural centre of the community, hosting one to two screenings per month, until the cinema was closed at the end of the 1980s. The building itself is situated within the National Park surrounding Lake Skadar. According to earlier plans of the Local Community in Rijeka Crnojevića, the renovation of the cinema had been envisaged, with indications of support from the Royal Capital Cetinje as well, yet to date no concrete steps have been taken.
According to the 2023 census results, Rijeka Crnojevića has 84 residents, but the location is visited by more than 10,000 tourists annually. Rijeka Crnojevića is recognised as an attractive tourist destination due to its landscape, Lake Skadar, and its significance in the medieval history of Montenegro. The most popular tourist activities include boat and kayak rides, as well as the tasting of traditional food and beverages. Owing to its proximity to Cetinje and Podgorica, Rijeka Crnojevića is also ideal for day trips. New amenities, such as a cinema, would enhance the tourism offer and extend the season for both foreign and Montenegrin visitors. This would generate positive economic effects for hospitality and accommodation facilities in Rijeka Crnojevića. At the same time, restoration would prevent the accelerated deterioration of the cinema hall building and restore the function of a space that marked the cultural life of the community in the twentieth century.
The restoration of the hall would also enable its use for other cultural events, such as lectures, theatre performances, panel discussions, and exhibitions. Shared community spaces can further strengthen social cohesion by bringing together different generations and creating opportunities for youth engagement and dialogue.
CCE and the Antifascists of Cetinje believe that, given the cultural and historical significance of Rijeka Crnojevića, where the first state printing house in the world was located in Obod, the restoration of the cinema hall should be included among the priority projects of the Royal Capital Cetinje.
Recently published photographs of the hall have attracted public attention and once again highlighted the need to preserve important heritage sites. Enhancing the tourism offer should be a priority for both local and national authorities, as tourism remains the most important branch of the Montenegrin economy. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the restoration of independence, and Rijeka Crnojevića undeniably holds an important place in Montenegro’s history. Rijeka Crnojevića has been unjustly neglected in terms of tourism promotion, and the restoration of the cinema hall could represent the first step towards improving the overall tourism offer.
Antifascists of Cetinje