Mr Krivokapić presented the highest national recognition in Villa “Gorica” to the art Historian, Aleksandar Čilikov, the director, Gojko Kastratović and historian professor, Niko Martinović as well.

President of the Parliament, speaking about this year's laureates, said that they were immortals of Montenegrin existence and creation, with first among them, Vojo Stanić.

“I asked him whether it suited him to come here today, and he said that he was at the end of his first century of life, and to just let him paint”, Mr Krivokapić said.

Speaking about the piece and the work of the historian professor, Niko Martinović, the President Krivokapić said that he wrote about the part of history that we had been taught to forget. “Montenegro has been taught not to know its own history, not to have its own history, we have learnt that there was a hidden side of Montenegrin history”, Mr Krivokapić said.

“We have existed since the love for Montenegro sparked. And there was one Montenegro and it has existed without interruption with the same spark of love, life of devotion and constancy. And that is the 13 of July, which gathers Montenegro as it had gathered it on 13 July 1941”, Mr Krivokapić said. “And it is the fact, the Montenegrins created and defended Yugoslavia that Njegošhas dreamt about. And our laureates have such Yugoslavia in their own writing and piece”, the President of the Parliament said.

Mr Krivokapić congratulated the winners with the message, “With people like you, there will be eternal Montenegro”.

Thanking on behalf of the winners, Mr Kastratović said that “it was hard to live in Montenegro, and easy to die”.

“But, on the other hand here the freedom was more valuable than the life itself. Montenegro never had a monument to the Unknown Soldier. All her soldiers were well known and famous heroes and today they serve as an example for their offspring. That is the reason why this award is of such importance to us and brings so much joy”, Mr Kastratović said.

The president of the jury for the presentation of the 13 July Award was Dragan K. Vukčević, and members Predrag Ivanović, Dragan Koprivica, Ilija Vujošević and Milenko Popović.

On behalf of the jury, Mr Koprivica said that this was the biggest Montenegrin date, the symbol of anti-fascism and libertarian aspirations of our people.

“In the process of making a decision, the jury recognized both permanent and true commitment to traditional values ​​of Montenegro, as an axiom during nomination for this high award”, Mr Koprivica said.