11 November 2022. Herceg Novi, Montenegro.
The French Ambassador to Montenegro, Christian Thimonier, made an official visit on 11 November 2022 to Herceg Novi, on the occasion of World War I Armistice Day. He spoke with the President of the Municipality Stevan Katic and his collaborators on the cultural links between France and Montenegro, and then laid wreaths at the monument to French soldiers in Ilinica,
Ambassador Thimonier said he was touched to be able to remember, in a place of exceptional beauty, the French soldiers who died in the Napoleonic wars in Boka Kotor, as well as all those who died in other conflicts.
“This place bears witness to what Montenegro can give and bring to Europe: loyalty to its history and a shared sense of beauty, all in the service of freedom”.”
said Christian Thimonier.
He emphasised that the French embassy would continue to support cultural events, in particular through cooperation with the local French-speaking association “Future“.
“Keeping in mind our roots, we will build a Europe of culture on this basis, but also a Europe made up of all the other connections, such as economic and social connections. (...) There are connections that we intend to build with the town of Mandelieu in France, which is the “sister” town of the Mimosa Festival in Herceg Novi”, declared Thimonier.
The President of the Municipality of Herceg Novi, Stevan Katic, expressed his satisfaction at the continued cooperation with the French Embassy, which has renewed the tradition of celebrating Armistice Day in Ilinica. He stressed that the key topic of today's conversation was culture, and that a number of projects had been identified that could form the basis of a partnership in 2023. One of the opportunities announced was the embassy's participation in the Mimosa festival as part of a day dedicated to French culture, as well as other major festivals in Herceg Novi.
“We are continuing our intensive cooperation. We have implemented everything we agreed on during His Excellency's previous visits, particularly with regard to Herceg Novi's membership of the European Federation of Napoleonic Cities. We are the first city in Montenegro to become a member of the Federation, We're already working on joint projects and ventures, and we hope that their next conference will be held in Herceg Novi in two years” time. We have also initiated cooperation with a French town which also has a public holiday in honour of the mimosa, and we have already received an invitation to come for an official visit at the beginning of February", said Mr Katic.