Montenegro commemorates Njegoš Day today, a public holiday celebrating the cultural contributions of one of its most important poets and rulers, Petar Petrović Njegoš. Born on this day in 1813 in Njeguši, Njegoš was a philosopher, writer, bishop, and leader.

As a statesman, he laid the groundwork for the modern Montenegrin state by establishing executive authority and a Senate, organizing courts, and introducing taxes. Under his leadership, Montenegro saw the establishment of its first printing house in Cetinje in 1834 and the creation of its first school.

Njegoš was a proponent of the liberation and unification of all Serbs and was willing to relinquish power for the sake of unification with Serbia.

Highly regarded as both a poet and philosopher, Njegoš is best known for his epic poem “Gorski Vijenac,” which is celebrated as a masterpiece of Serbian and South Slavic literature. Other significant works include “Luča mikrokozma,” “The Mirror of the Serbian,” and the fictitious tale of “Šćepan Mali.” Throughout his writings, he often addressed the themes of Serbian identity and kinship.

Njegoš passed away on October 31, 1851. Initially buried in a small chapel on Lovćen, which was destroyed by Austro-Hungarian forces during World War I, his remains were later relocated to the Cetinje monastery and eventually to the restored chapel in 1925. This chapel was replaced by the Meštrović Mausoleum with support from the Yugoslav government in 1974.

Current Montenegrin authorities are focused on restoring the chapel where Njegoš was interred since 1925.

Petar II Petrović Njegoš has been canonized at the level of Metropolitan in the Montenegrin coastal tradition, recognized as Saint Metropolitan Petar, commemorated on May 19.

Njegoš Day is observed on November 13 and 14, which are recognized as non-working days in Montenegro.

In honor of Njegoš Day, a literary evening was organized at the Cetinje monastery by the Metropolis of Montenegro, in collaboration with the Literary Society Njegoš.

During this event, insights were shared regarding the significant changes in political and national landscapes, and the enduring relevance of Njegoš, both as a leader and through his literary contributions.

(Telegraph.rs/tanjug)