In response to the article titled “Broz again among Montenegrins,” published on May 11th in “Vijesti,” Boban Batricevic and Stefan Todorovic have expressed their concerns regarding its content.

Below is their complete response:

“On May 11, 2025, an article by journalist Aljoša Turović appeared on the ‘Vijesti’ portal titled ‘Broz again among Montenegrins’. We find the article unprofessional, likely stemming from its author’s inexperience, and believe it presents a one-sided perspective that inaccurately reflects our views. Therefore, we feel compelled to clarify our stance and request that ‘Vijesti’ publish our response.

Initially, concerning the discussion around the potential monument of Tito in Cetinje, Mr. Turović suggests that we ‘opposed it,’ citing our names and our workplaces. Had he taken journalism seriously, he would have conveyed that we did not oppose the idea outright, but emphasized the need for a more comprehensive societal debate regarding the monument’s erection. We believe in reevaluating and modernizing the anti-fascist legacy, moving away from previous ideologized perspectives.

Furthermore, Mr. Turović labels us as ‘pro-Montenegrin analysts’, which we find derogatory, as he positions us against ‘pro-Serbian politicians’ from Podgorica, particularly referencing the performer Vladislav Dajković. We reject any national labels and clarify that we are not analysts, but members of the academic community who Critically assess the current government in Montenegro. Our comments on the Tito monument reflect our views, as residents of Cetinje, about the positive aspects of Tito’s time and the anti-fascist tradition.

This nuance is lost in Mr. Turović’s writing, as he oversimplifies the discourse into a binary conflict of ‘two nationalisms’, thus misplacing our position within a Montenegrin nationalist context.

Moreover, this assertion is supported by Mr. Turović’s choice of discussion partners. While he is entitled to select interlocutors, it is telling that he did not include any participants in this debate who advocated for a broader intellectual discussion on valuing the anti-fascist heritage, nor any of the signers of this response. Instead, Mr. Turović misrepresents our views himself, while also including Mr. VB, who has previously disparaged one of the signatories in derogatory terms.

Lastly, we wish to affirm that we are neither staunchly against the construction of a Tito monument in Cetinje nor do we plan to oppose it. As previously stated, we proposed a collaborative discussion with the proponents of the monument regarding the form of anti-fascism needed in the 21st century. We recognize Tito as a historically significant figure within the Montenegrin and Yugoslav contexts; however, from Cetinje’s perspective, the connection is less direct than with some local historical figures from our city’s rich anti-fascist legacy. We oppose grand state nationalisms and support a civic framework for Montenegro.

“Therefore, we urge Mr. Turović to enhance his journalistic skills and abandon the longstanding practice of negative personal portrayals of us and our institution, previously established under the former editor, which lack any factual basis.”

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