Centre for Civic Education (CCE) and Antifascists of Cetinja welcome last night’s decision of the Municipal Assembly of Nikšić to adopt the initiative submitted by the European Alliance to erect a memorial to Joka Baletić, a heroine of that city. This represents an important, albeit overdue, step towards a more consistent approach to the culture of remembrance and the affirmation of anti-fascist values, which must serve as the foundation of a modern democratic society.
It is particularly significant that this shift comes just a month after the same initiative was rejected at a session of the Council for Proposing Names of Settlements, Streets, and Squares. At that time, we warned that such a decision confirmed a concerning gap between the declarative and actual approach to anti-fascist heritage in Montenegro, as well as the continued marginalisation of women’s contributions in historical narratives.
Antifascists of Cetinja and CCE regret that the decision was not unanimous but are encouraged by the fact that even within part of the ruling majority in Nikšić there has been a recognition of the importance of the city’s anti-fascist tradition, despite earlier practices that had raised serious concerns.
This decision also confirms the importance of persistent, evidence-based, and principled action by civil society. Continuous public advocacy and insistence on accountability have contributed to keeping this issue in focus and ultimately securing an institutional outcome.
Monuments dedicated to women remain rare in Montenegro, which adds further value to this initiative, as Nikšić, which is set to become a future European Capital of Culture, will gain a monument to a woman who has long deserved such recognition. It is particularly encouraging that this decision comes ahead of the 20th anniversary of the restoration of Montenegrin independence, bearing in mind that contemporary Montenegro is founded precisely on the anti-fascist struggle.
CCE and Antifascists of Cetinja expect that the next steps will be implemented in a transparent, inclusive manner and through dialogue with both the expert community and the wider public, in order to ensure that the monument to Joka Baletić becomes not only a symbol of remembrance, but also a confirmation of a more mature societal approach to its own history and the values it embodies.
We also hope that this decision marks a continuation of support for initiatives that responsibly address the past, as opposed to those based on ideological revisionism. In this context, we recall that earlier this week we submitted an initiative to restore the memorial dedicated to national hero Đoko Pavićević.
Centre for Civic Education (CCE)
Antifascists of Cetinja