President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Mr Ivan Brajović, presented today in Villa "Gorica", at the appropriate ceremony, the highest state recognition, the 13th July Awards to the winners – Public Health Institute, Mr Ranko Lazović, surgeon, and Mr Živko Andrijašević, historian.
In his address, President Brajović said that in difficult times, and there were plenty of that nature in Montenegro, it always seemed that time is running out, especially today in times of health, economic and social challenges. But, the people who had experienced progress know that our time has not stopped, but that it is inevitably coming. And that all periods that follow dark ones are better and brighter for an entire dimension. Therefore, let us be more ready and smarter than ever, to emerge victorious, because the battles for a better and safer humanity are yet to come – Mr Brajović said, adding that "these times need to happen, because people take off their masks, wheat is sieved, and healthy grains are separated from seeds of hypocrisy and absurdity."
Speaking about the fact that one does not choose the time and place of birth, Mr Brajović said that he would have chosen Montenegro yesterday, today and tomorrow, regardless of whether it was an old or young state, advanced or backward, reformist or retrograde. "It has always been mine - the gate between the worlds and sides of the world, which sometimes opens easily and sometimes creaks, aware that it must change in order to be better, more advanced and safer. But neither good nor evil times will bring the beacon of diversity to be extinguished by any forces. For the darkness comes only when the sun allows, neither before nor after. And we are masters of our time and our destiny", the President of the Parliament said.
Speaking about the winners, Mr Brajović pointed out that the Public Health Institute of Montenegro, with its self-confidence, expertise, courage and responsibility, carried the burden of the epidemic under which many developed and powerful health systems in the world broke down. "This award is given not only for the first victory, but for all past and future battles, and the award is deservedly shared by the predecessors of the current generation, creating the foundations of this extraordinary institution," – President of the Parliament stressed among other things.
Speaking about the laureate, Mr Ranko Lazović, a gastrointestinal surgeon, he said that the humane attitude and steady hand of Mr Lazović saved many lives. "It is clear that all important struggles are not won by an individual, but by a community, but there is always, among equals, the most prominent one, if not the best, then the one capable of making decisions with knowledge, experience and its title, correct ones and of general importance and benefit. Our laureate, together with the overall health care system, has also gained the trust of the Montenegrin public", the President said in his address.
"Mr Živko Andrijašević is one of those who do not give in to the old or the new times and pressures, for whom the profession and the truth are always the motive and the commitment. Mr Andrijašević never compromised with something not true, with myths and mythomania, especially not with populism and politicking. He has already been honest with us saying, like the greatest historians of the past and present that we are what we are, not what we want to be; that we have underestimated ourselves when we should have been proud, and that we had given too much importance to ourselves or others. Because history is a strict and fundamental science, based on facts and truth, which preserves the essence of human civilisation, and everything else would be knuckling under people and time, ideologies, positions and oppositions, religions and indoctrination – President Brajović concluded.
Asking that they remain on the track of progress with the same intensity, the President of the Parliament of Montenegro ended his speech with the words: "I know that you have never betrayed Montenegro, and this award is a confirmation that it did not betray you either. Therefore, today and tomorrow – represent Montenegro with your honour, expertise, and responsibility, dear laureates!"
On behalf of the Jury for presenting the 13th July Award, the rationale was provided by the member thereof, Ms Jadranka Selhanović. Enumerating a large number of implemented projects, as well as professional and responsible performance of primary function and exceptional results, the Public Health Institute of Montenegro received the highest national award for actual contribution to the development and affirmation of Montenegro in preserving and improving the health of all its citizens. Mr Ranko Lazović, the surgeon, full professor at the Medical Faculty of the University of Montenegro, and author of over 50 scientific papers, received the 13th July Award for the introduction of three modern procedures for treating malignant conditions of the abdominal cavity, which represent the latest step forward in abdominal surgery, performed for the first time in Montenegro, and some in the region. Mr Živko Andrijašević, the historian, received the award for the book "Montenegrin History", which is the first comprehensive history of Montenegro from prehistoric times to the restoration of Montenegrin independence in 2006. At the same time, the book is the first study in Montenegrin historiography in which the author deals with the Montenegrin past from the ancient period to the one being contemporary himself – it is stated, among other things, in the detailed rationale of the Jury for presenting the 13th July Award.
On behalf of the winners, Mr Živko Andrijašević expressed appreciation, saying that the greatest recognition has been given for their works, and the winners have been honoured with an award – both Montenegrin and national and that of the 13th July – which cannot be compared with any other in their respective fields of work.
Address by the President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Mr Ivan Brajović, at the 13th July 2020 Award Ceremony.Video coverage – 13th July Award Ceremony
Speech by the President of the Parliament of Montenegro, Mr Ivan Brajović
Speech by Mr Živko Andrijašević
Speech by Ms Jadranka Selhanović
