Young people should not live next to one another, but with one another, and they should not be passive consumers of what is offered to them; instead, their voices should be empowered and heard. This was the message conveyed at the Cultural Evening dedicated to interculturalism, tolerance, and dialogue, held on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the House of Nobel Laureate Ivo Andrić in Herceg Novi.
Speakers at the event included Ivan Otović, Deputy Mayor of Herceg Novi Municipality; Tamara Lepetić, MA in Ethnology and Anthropology; Dušan Medin, archaeologist and MA in Cultural and Media Management; and Jelena Ristović, Program Coordinator at the Civic Alliance.
In his opening address, Otović expressed his satisfaction that Herceg Novi had the opportunity to host young people from Rožaje, emphasizing that the city has always been a place where different cultures meet. He particularly highlighted the importance of connecting younger generations who, as he stated, have the potential to build a society based on unity, understanding, and mutual respect. “We should not live next to one another, but with one another,” Otović said, calling on young people to take part in similar initiatives that contribute to personal growth and the strengthening of the community.
Speaking on behalf of the Public Institution “Herceg Fest”, Tamara Lepetić reflected on the symbolism of the venue — the House of Ivo Andrić — and the significance of the bridge as a recurring motif in work of Andrić. From an anthropological perspective, she spoke about the concepts of tolerance, interculturalism, multiculturalism, and dialogue, emphasizing that these are not merely modern, politically desirable terms, but notions deeply rooted in historical thought. She posed the question of whether people are born tolerant or become so through social circumstances, underlining that tolerance is a skill we learn. Lepetić also addressed cultural identity as a key element of recognition and mutual understanding, warning that fear often emerges as a barrier when encountering different identities.
Through an interactive approach, Dušan Medin engaged with participants in a discussion on the concepts of identity, ethnic and national belonging, as well as the importance of archaeology and anthropology in understanding both material and intangible culture. He particularly emphasized the importance of young people stepping out of their comfort zones and engaging with topics that may not be “popular,” but are crucial for their position in society. Medin stressed that young people are not passive consumers of what is offered to them, but that their voices should be heard and empowered — and that gatherings such as this one can contribute to that goal.
The activity had an open and encouraging character, fostering the exchange of opinions between speakers and participants, who demonstrated an impressive level of maturity, reflection, and interest in issues related to social equality, intercultural relations, and the role of youth in contemporary society.
The Cultural Evening was organized as the final activity within the Cultural Visit of high school students from the “30. septembar” Gymnasium in Rožaje to Herceg Novi, as part of the project “Together for the Empowerment of the Culture of Tolerance and Equality”, funded by the Fund for the Protection and Exercising of Minority Rights of Montenegro.
