The Montenegrin identity was mostly created during the Ottoman invasions at the end of the XVth century.

There is a Slavic identity with a strong orthodox faith and Nation heroes’ cult, strong warriors against the invasions.

Poetry, theatre, dance, music, and all the aspects of the Montenegrin culture come from the middle ages, with Ottoman or Venetian influences.

Folklore:

The carnival is the most important event of the Montenegrin calendar, especially in the old city or Kotor where you can see masquerades and cremation of the “carnival puppet” on the coast.

It symbolizes bad things from the last year disappearing for the good things to come with the spring.

Boats are decorated and the event ends with a masquerade ball where the best costumes of the year win prizes.

Before the carnival, on the beginning of February, Kotor is the city of another tradition: Saint Tryphon, martyr of the third century whose relics are in the eponym cathedral in the city.

On the Sunday there are folkloric dancers, brass band and a mass by the Croatian Archbishop of Split.

Every 22nd of July you can discover the curious « Fasinada » on the artificial island of Gospa od Skrpjela, in front of Perast.

Every year since the XVth century, when an apparition of the Virgin Mary occurred on the water, pilgrim and inhabitants boats come and throw rocks on the water. The island was created with the rocks from this tradition, and a little Church was built on it.

Cultural events:

Like the former republics of the eastern bloc, Montenegro has a tradition of cultural festivals.

The coast has a great cultural program every year in many of its cities. You can go to a theatre festival in Budva during July and August, but there are also concerts, readings or expositions.

In June Budva is the city of the great festival of Mediterranean Music, where you can see many celebrities from Italy like Toto Cotugno.

Herced Novi is the city of the Mimosa Festival (from the end of December to the beginning of March) with artistic and sportive events, but also of a literature festival and a Slavic Movie Festival on the beginning of August. The winners get Golden, Silver and Brass Mimosas.

And last but not least, there is the International Alternative Theatre Festival in Podgorica.

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