Matica Crnogorska has decided not to let Montenegrin culture and history fade away in the distant lands of South America. How? They prepared and adapted two notable exhibitions in Spanish, aimed at Montenegrin communities in Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Yes, you read that right — Spanish, because that’s where our people, our ancestors, live, still holding onto the pride and identity of Montenegro, but they need help to better understand their roots.
The first exhibition focuses on Montenegrin Cyrillic printing from the 15th and 16th centuries, while the second celebrates July 13th — a symbol of Montenegrin resistance and dignity. Additionally, there are panels showcasing traditional Montenegrin folk costumes, because what’s culture without the clothes? All of this is accompanied by a catalog in Spanish, carefully translated by experts from the Center for Migration Policy and Multiculturalism in Podgorica.
Funding? The entire project is financed by a single institution, and the Montenegrin embassy in Argentina has taken responsibility for delivering the shipments to the communities. The packages have already arrived in Argentina, and distribution is underway. Matica Crnogorska recognized how important it is for our people in South America not to forget who they are and where they come from.
These exhibitions are not just panels and catalogs — they are a bridge between the past and the present, between Montenegro and its diaspora. The plan is to provide the same package to other Montenegrin organizations across the continent next year. If you think this is just another boring cultural project, think again. This is a fight for identity, pride, and the survival of a nation far from home.
And now, as you read this, ask yourself — how well do we really know our people living far away? How much do we try to help them not lose themselves? Matica Crnogorska has shown how it’s done. What about you? If you have a story about your ancestors in South America, or maybe a joke about how Montenegrins would gather there on July 13th, feel free to share. Let the story continue!
