Six years may seem long, but the residents of Bar still vividly remember how their pleas for renovating the Bar High School yard and constructing a new kindergarten went unheeded by local and state authorities. There’s ample space in Bar for both the kindergarten and the cherished cypress trees, which they are still eagerly anticipating.

This sentiment was shared with “Vijesti” by representatives of the Civic Initiative “Keep Upright”. Six years ago, they spearheaded mass protests aimed at preserving the Bar Gymnasium courtyard and finding a new site for the kindergarten planned in that space.

Just two days ago, the head of government, Milojko Spajic, laid the foundation stone for the new kindergarten in Bar. Alongside Spajić, notable attendees included Bar’s mayor, Dušan Raičević, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, Majda Adzović, and Maja Vukićević…

More than six years have elapsed since the cutting down of about 90 centennial cypress trees in the Bar Gymnasium courtyard to build a kindergarten. The work commenced just before dawn, despite the strong opposition from the local community. This led to mass protests as the trees were felled under the watch of security personnel, executed without the knowledge of the residents who opposed the previous government’s decision under Duško Marković.

“As we mark the laying of the foundation stone for the kindergarten and soon the remodeling of the high school yard, let us remember who built the fence around the high school yard in 2018 and pushed us to defend the park, ensuring proper conditions for the children attending both the kindergarten and the two high schools on Mila Boškovića Street, whose yard was targeted for land appropriation,” stated the Civic Initiative.

They reminisced about the countless hours of vigilance around the yard, enjoying festivals among the cypress trees, and witnessing protest marches that were rare in Bar. The struggle for the park and kindergarten has woven a unifying thread through Bar, showcasing the strength of community and collective action. They hope local and state officials will remember this lesson and learn from it as the community has.

“There is plenty of room for both a kindergarten and cypress trees, which just needs to be utilized responsibly, rather than sacrificing the future of our children and the city for high-rise developments and rents,” they expressed.

Some participants from the past protests, guardians of the Bar “circles” and cypress trees, told “Vijesti” that it is crucial to recognize who truly deserves credit for this victory—the citizens of Bar. They emphasized that the upcoming kindergarten and new yard are not achievements of Mayor Raičević or Prime Minister Spajić, but rather the outcome of a long, arduous civil struggle.

According to Minister Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, the first phase of the kindergarten’s construction is expected to be completed in 240 days at a cost of three million and 200 thousand euros. After this phase, the second phase is set to begin, covering more than three thousand square meters, with the hope of completing the kindergarten within 18 months.

“What excites us is that we will be able to accommodate at least eight nursery groups and 11 kindergarten groups here. This is an exceptional design that harmonizes traditional and modern elements with the surrounding environment,” she noted.

Additionally, local stone from Bar will be utilized in the construction, and the interior hall will have the option to connect to the courtyard, which will feature designs inspired by sea waves. An urban garden project is also planned for the rooftop, allowing children to grow vegetables and herbs. Inside, the kindergarten will have flexible spaces divided by movable walls, catering to both smaller and larger groups.

Moreover, this kindergarten is linked to the cypress trees; they, along with Bar’s olive trees, will beautify the perimeter of the kindergarten.

Raičević: Partially rectifying injustices

The President of the Municipality of Bar, Dušan Raičević, remarked that personally, this is one of the most emotional moments of his tenure due to well-known circumstances.

He expressed happiness and satisfaction that after six years, the injustice faced by Bar’s citizens, particularly the youngest ones, is being partially addressed.

“I am gratified that we have worked diligently and committedly during this time. While we could have moved faster, I thank all my associates who aided in quickly finding an alternate site for the kindergarten in Bar,” he stated. He also mentioned the recent tender announcement for developing the park area near the Gymnasium, which had initially been designated for this kindergarten.

“We aim to achieve an exceptional organization of space, thereby partially rectifying the damage that has occurred, and we will responsibly continue addressing all recognized concerns. We must adapt to the needs of the local population and the preferences of parents,” he concluded.

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