September 11, 2018

Academic session conducted by Srda Martinovic, Montenegrin historian, organized by the European Affairs Committee

Written by Esteban P. Fredez

Montenegro has maintained close ties with Argentina for 110 years

The event was moderated by Mr. Eduardo Airaldi, former argentine Ambassador in Belgium, who began by pointing out the close bond Argentine people have maintained with their Montenegrin peers since the time of the Principality of Montenegro back in the XIX century.

After welcoming those present and introducing the speakers to the audience, Ambassador Airaldi made one last comment noting that the first arrived Montenegrin immigrants established at Dock Sud, due to its proximity to the port area.

Mr. Gordan Stojovic, current Ambassador of Montenegro in Argentina, took the floor right afterwards. After a quick genealogy that concluded with the State of Montenegro creation of in 1908, he emphasized the narrow ties that have linked it to Argentina. He finally announced the entrance of the main speaker, historian Srdjan Martinovich.

The persistence in the questions about the past, above those related to the future, is constitutive of the Montenegrin mentality

To begin with, Martinovich thanked the CARI team for its hospitality and greeted the Montenegrin residents that attended the session. Before turning his attention to the main subject of the meeting, the speaker highlighted some of the characteristics held by Montenegro and their anchorage within the Balkan dynamics. In this context, the historian emphasized the nation’s long running history while compared to European countries.

The speaker noted his homeland’s multiculturalism and its dynamic political system. He insisted, then, that "the persistence questions addressing Montenegro’s past, above those related to the future, is constitutive of the Montenegrin mentality".

Later on, Martinovich exhibited a few national symbols, some of the main battles and iconic rulers of Montenegro’s dynastic times. He specially mentioned the following periods: Vojislavljevic (mid-9th-late 12th century), Balšic (1355-1421), Crnojevic (1421-1499), tribal period between 1499 and 1967, and the last of its dynasties, the Petrovic (1697-1918).

During his exposition, the historian underlined the predominant “warrior character” that portrays the Montenegrin people. Such characteristic was forged over a millennium of wars that sought to preserve their independence from others. Later, the speaker pointed out that the army’s organization was a direct consequence of the “clan organizing based Montenegrin society”. As a result, this engendered a stronger link between soldiers. In fact, according to Martinovich, the clans within the Montenegrin’s social order have always played a central role linking identities to a combative stamp.

Most of the numerous Montenegrin migration waves that arrived in South America quickly disintegrated for economic and political reasons

Regarding the migratory flows, the speaker highlighted that the oldest ones dated from the XVII century towards Italy and Russia. In addition, he explained that some of the Montenegrin migrations that best managed to preserve the country’s traditions over time were the ones whose destinations were bordering states of Croatia and Serbia. However, Martinovich also noticed that "most of the numerous Montenegrin migration waves that arrived in South America quickly disintegrated for economic and political reasons".

After having exhibited some of the main patriotic and migratory elements of Montenegrin history, Martinovich concluded his presentation by emphasizing the important role that memory and respect for history play within policy state making towards upcoming times.

Srda MartinovicDoctor in History from the National University of Montenegro. During his studies, he was president of the Council of students of Montenegro and member of the Senate of the University. He has published three historical monographs, among which, the last one holds an encyclopedic type "The Montenegrin Army 1854-1916”, and was published in 2018. His scientific works have been distributed in local and international journals. Of special interest to him are military history, family history, emigration, the history of institutions and old photographs. He has received recognition from the Montenegrin Community "Krstaš" of Lovcenac and the "Fundación Argentino-Montenegrina"