Presentation of “Tragom crnogorskih klesara” Set for November 18

A new book titled “Tragom crnogorskih klesara,” authored by publicist and editor Slobodan Čukić, will be officially presented in Podgorica on November 18, 2023. The event is scheduled to begin at 18:00 at the Matica crnogorska headquarters located on Beogradska Street (24c). Čukić will engage in a discussion about his work with Dragana Erjavšek during the presentation.

The book, published by Matica crnogorska, provides a comprehensive exploration of Montenegro’s stone masonry tradition. The first section emphasizes the art of dry stone construction, which has been a hallmark of rural stone masons and craftsmen since the arrival of the Romans in the region. In the second part, Čukić delves into gravestones from the period of 1878 to 1941, showcasing various naive representations, including portraits of the deceased, depictions of churches, crucifixes, decorations, and intricate floral and geometric designs.

The editor of “Tragom crnogorskih klesara” is Marko Špadijer, with the book being endorsed by Ivan Jovović, the president of Matica crnogorska. The publication spans 236 pages and is rich with photographs and illustrations largely contributed by Čukić himself during extensive field research.

Slobodan Čukić, born in 1964 in Peć, holds a degree in philosophy from the Faculty of Philosophy in Nikšić. His career includes roles at Radio Montenegro and the daily newspaper “Vijesti,” where he served as a culture editor and later as the editor of the Archive and Science sections. Since September 2015, he has worked at “Pobjeda” as the editor of the Feljton and Archive sections. He is also a member of Matica crnogorska, the Duklja Academy of Sciences and Arts, and the Montenegrin PEN Centre.

Čukić’s literary contributions include essays and articles across various topics, ranging from philosophy and political science to film criticism and historical ethnology. His previous works include “Izdaja o kojoj se ćutalo cijeli vijek” (2016), “Podgorički brevijar” (2018), and “Pocetak srpske okupacije – komitska borba i narodna golgota 1918–1920” (2019).

Originally scheduled for November 6, the presentation was postponed due to a national day of mourning declared by the government following the tragic death of eleven individuals at a retirement home in Tuzla. This change highlights the sensitivity surrounding the event and the respect for those affected by the tragedy.

The launch of “Tragom crnogorskih klesara” promises to shed light on an essential aspect of Montenegrin cultural heritage, inviting discussions on the significance of stone masonry in the region’s history.