Centre for Civic Education (CCE) congratulates World Book and Copyright Day, expressing support and gratitude to all Montenegrin authors and publishers for their contribution to Montenegrin and regional culture.
The CCE sees today’s Book and Copyright Day as an opportunity to highlight the importance of literature as a universal artistic lens through which we view life. Literature changes reality for the better, enriches the human mind, fosters the development of aesthetic values, creativity, imagination, critical thinking, intellectual spirit, and understanding of diversity. In times of crisis, it is often the only window into different worlds.
Montenegrin literature is rightly proud of writers and poets who are creatively tied to and shaped by Montenegro. Njegoš, Marko Miljanov, Danilo Kiš, Borislav Pekić, Mirko Kovač, Mihailo Lalić, Nikola Lopičić, Vitomir Nikolić, Radovan Zogović, Aleksandar Leso Ivanović, Zuvdija Hodžić and others have shaped generations beyond the borders of Montenegro, influencing their worldviews, aesthetic, ethical, and moral values. Their legacy to Montenegrin and European literature further obliges our institutions to responsibly work on improving conditions for the development of literature and publishing in the future.
Unfortunately, since January 2025, the VAT on books in Montenegro has more than doubled – from 7% to 15%. As a result, books have become more expensive and less accessible to the citizens of Montenegro. Literature must not be a luxury. In a time when reading is declining, literature must be accessible, and its importance must be explained to younger generations. The current 15% VAT on books diverges from the practice of most EU member states, where publishing is recognized a matter of public interest, and where various incentives for publishers exist, including reduced or zero VAT rates.
Only states with weak institutions and limited decision-makers fail to understand the importance of literature, investment in reading culture, and promotion of domestic authors and publishers. As a country known worldwide for the first printed books from the Crnojević printing house in Obod in the 15th century, Montenegro must not allow itself to fall behind European standards in this area. Books must be accessible to all, especially younger generations.
The UNESCO General Assembly proclaimed 23 April as World Book and Copyright Day in 1995. This date is symbolic, marking the death of great writers William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, as well as the birth of Vladimir Nabokov.
Sara Čabarkapa, Programme Coordinator for Active Citizenship