Signing the Memorandum

31 March 2022
A replica of the printing press from the Crnojević Printing House will be exhibited in Biljarda
Overview

A replica of the printing press from the first South Slavic Cyrillic and the first state printing house in the world will be exhibited in the Njegoš Museum in Biljarda in Cetinje. In order to create the necessary conditions for this important activity, the Minister of Economic Development Jakov Milatović and the Director of the National Museum of Montenegro Jakša Ćalasan signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the acquisition and management of equipment that is subject to procurement under the project "DUE MARI - Next Generation Tourism Development”.

A replica of the printing press, on which Oktoih book was printed from 1493 to 1494, will be exhibited in the premises of the Billiards. Oktoih, a liturgical book, is one of the most important books in this region, and the first Cyrillic book among the South Slavs. The preserved copies and excerpts are kept in some European countries, but also in Cetinje where Oktoih was printed.

By exhibiting a replica of the printing press, Biljarda will gain value of exceptional importance, and it is expected that it will attract numerous tourists who will be able to get acquainted with the printing technique from the end of the 15th century.

According to the European Commission, within the European Union, four out of ten visitors choose a destination based on the cultural tourism offer. Such data confirms the importance of the valorization of   cultural treasures from Montenegro.

The construction of the Kotor-Lovćen cable-car will soon begin, which will enable a larger number of tourists to visit the Capital, and thus explore the offer of Cetinje.

All activities will be realized in cooperation with the National Museum and the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, and with the consent of the Directorate for the Protection of Cultural Heritage and compliance with the provisions of the Law on Protection of Cultural Heritage.

The Ministry of Economic Development of Montenegro will finance, through the DUE MARI project, preparation of the project documentation, adaptation of the interior of the Marble Hall in Biljarda and the purchase of a press, and the National Museum will be the beneficiary of this project activity.

The printing press is expected to be exhibited to visitors by the end of the year.