Visit-Montenegro.com : Carnival Ode to the Sea

Bar – Fireworks and numerous performers of the opening act marked the opening of 21st Bar’s Art Festival, “Barski Ljetopis”. The event took place in front of King Nikola’s Castle in Bar last night and would continue until 22 August, with 50 different programs across Topolica and Old Bar.

Following the performance of a brass-band, Bar’s majorette-company and trumpet-players, the event had been officially opened at Bar’s marina by town’s Mayor, Zarko Pavicevic.

The opening was followed by town’s animation, with the performance “The Sea – the Source and the Crown”. Screen Play had been written by Rajko Jolicic and performance directed by Blagota Erakovic. The program continued at the beginning of Bar’s promenade with ethno-dances performed by local company “Jedinstvo” and actors Ana Simovic and Danilo Celebic.

Performers than walked to the new scene, in front of “Planet” café, where it was the time for Bar’s female choir of “Antivari Musicum” to impress the audience, accompanied by an opera singer, Aleksandra Vojvodic. Actor Slobodan Marunovic and Dancing Studio “Soletiko” also performed.

Third and final part of last night’s program took place in front of King Nikola’s Castle. Srdjan Grahovac, playing the role of King Nikolas, recited the verses from a famous poem “I Greet You, Blue Sea”, while Mirko Vlahovic recited “The Crown” and Dragisa Simovic “Ode to Bar.” Aleksandra Vojvodic sang “Anthem of Bar”, which was followed by the performance of Bar’s ethno-band “Zora“ (Dawn). In the finals, all participants greeted audience from the stage as the fireworks lit the scene.

“Given the fact that the concept of our festival is already known, I expect a lot of visitors from Montenegro. I also have to emphasized that many seasonal inhabitants of Bar arrange their holidays to fit into our Festival’s calendar. Also, it is important to note the huge support we are receiving from the media from both Montenegro and Serbia.

Personally, I expect this Festival would become even more significant on the map of cultural events in the region. We would like the artists from across the world to send us their application for their performances on the scenes of Bar’s Art Festival”, Cazim Nikezovic, director of public enterprise “Bar’s Cultural Center” has told Vijesti last night. Cultural Center is organizing this series of events, with support of Municipality of Bar.

All programs can be found on the website of the organizer: www.kulturnicentarbar.com

Tonight, a concert of classical music and poetry evening would take place at the Castle of King Nikola. At 9 pm, guests would witness the first in a series of events “Through the Eyes of the Writer” with Banja Luka’s native, Rade Simovic. This event is to be followed by the performance of Belgrade’s guitarist Uros Dojcinovic.

(16 July 2008)

By: R.P.