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Representatives of Slovenian professional and educational institutions, as well as the cultural and academic community, have called on the authorities in Montenegro to urgently protect and prevent the demolition of the “Slovenska plaža” tourist complex in Budva, designed by Slovenian architect Janez Kobe.
“On behalf of more than 20 Slovenian professional and educational institutions, we appeal to the competent Montenegrin authorities to urgently and responsibly initiate the procedure for the protection of the Slovenska plaza tourist complex, as an urban-architectural and landscape ensemble of exceptional importance, in the spirit of diplomatic, cultural and professional dialogue,” the Ljubljana Architects’ Association said in a statement.
They recalled that the complex was created based on a Yugoslav architectural competition, organized during the reconstruction of the Montenegrin coast after the 1979 earthquake, and that it was recognized as one of the most prominent achievements of integrated architectural and urban design in the field of tourism.
“Today, this shared Slovenian-Montenegrin cultural heritage is under immediate threat, as MK Group, as one of the main shareholders in the Hotel Group (HG) Budvanska Rivijera, has announced plans to demolish the existing complex and build new hotel and business facilities,” the appeal states.
Slovenian experts warned that the state, which is the majority owner of HG Budvanska rivijera, bears direct responsibility to protect the public interest and ensure the preservation of an architectural ensemble that has European and international value.
“Such a procedure would not only erase one of the most significant works of Slovenian architecture outside the borders of Slovenia, but would also cause irreparable damage to the urban identity of Budva,” warned the Ljubljana Architects’ Association.
They believe that for Montenegro, as a candidate for EU membership, this would represent a departure from the basic European principles of sustainability, cultural responsibility, and respect for authorial creativity and common heritage.
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