Over the past months, more than 220 students and 30 mentors from 14 elementary schools across 9 municipalities in Montenegro took part in a unique learning and creative journey. Through artistic work, heritage interpretation, and intergenerational exchange, they explored identity, memory, belonging, and cultural heritage – translating these themes into contemporary and deeply personal expressions.
Implemented by UNESCO and the National Museum of Montenegro, the “Culture in Movement” project connected students across the country through a series of local events in April. The gatherings offered students a space to present their research and examine how arts education can contribute to more inclusive societies.
Held in Cetinje, Pljevlja, and Ulcinj, the showcases convened young people from different communities to exchange experiences, reflect on local traditions, and recognise the richness of Montenegro’s diverse cultural landscape and heritage. Through mentorship and collaborative work, students were encouraged to critically reinterpret heritage and connect it to contemporary social realities.
Learning through creativity and connection
The project culminated in a national closing celebration in Podgorica where students had the opportunity to meet peers who had been working on similar themes in different local contexts. The event showed how culture and arts education spark empathy, curiosity, and dialogue – essential values for resilient societies.
“I would particularly highlight the exceptional dedication, creativity, and energy of our students and their mentors, who brought forgotten worlds, characters, and customs back to life, reminding us how schools can become inspiring and motivating spaces when students are given the freedom to create, imagine, and actively participate in the process, instead of being passive recipients of information,” said Anđela Jakšić Stojanović, Minister of Education, Science and Innovation.
The project “Culture in Movement” also encouraged young people to engage with heritage through their own creativity and experiences. As Tamara Vujović, Minister of Culture and Media noted: “At the conclusion of the project, we feel proud of everything this initiative has set in motion – not only through workshops, presentations, and joint work, but above all through encounters, new experiences, and different ways of understanding culture and cultural heritage.”
