Montenegro marked its Independence Day with large-scale celebrations across the country, bringing together tens of thousands of citizens in a festive atmosphere defined by concerts, fireworks and public gatherings in major cities. Central events were organized in Podgorica, Cetinje, Nikšić, Bar, Tivat, Kotor and Ulcinj, where squares were filled with people waving national flags and participating in organized cultural programs. The scale of attendance and the diversity of events highlighted the significance of the day, with celebrations continuing late into the night in multiple locations.
Ricky Martin Concert Draws Massive Crowd in Podgorica
The central celebration in Podgorica featured a major concert by global pop star Ricky Martin, which gathered approximately 18,000 attendees. The event brought together a wide cross-section of citizens, as well as members of the political leadership. Among those present were Prime Minister Milojko Spajić, his wife Milena, Podgorica Mayor Saša Mujović and his wife Danijela, Minister of European Affairs Maida Gorčević and Minister of Justice Bojan Božović.
Prime Minister Spajić later described the evening as “a night to remember” in a public message, emphasizing the symbolic importance of the celebration and sharing the message “Da je vječna,” which is commonly associated with Montenegro’s independence. The concert atmosphere was marked by high energy, strong audience engagement and a sense of unity among those present.
Tear Gas Incident Causes Brief Disruption
Despite the largely peaceful nature of the celebrations, an incident occurred during the Podgorica concert when a hand held tear gas device was thrown near the stage at around 11 p.m. The activation of the device caused a short period of panic among the audience, as people reacted to the sudden disturbance.
Police quickly intervened, documenting the scene and removing parts of the device that were found near the stage. Authorities confirmed that the situation was brought under control shortly afterward and that the concert continued. An investigation is ongoing to identify the individual responsible for throwing the tear gas, with police working on gathering evidence and establishing responsibility.
Cetinje Emerges as a Key Celebration Hub
Cetinje stood out as one of the central locations of the Independence Day celebrations, attracting around 15,000 people without any reported incidents. The city hosted a full-day program that combined traditional and modern elements, reinforcing its symbolic role in Montenegrin identity.
Throughout the day, a traditional car procession moved through the streets, with vehicles decorated in Montenegrin flags, accompanied by music and the sound of car horns. The event drew not only local residents but also members of the diaspora and visitors from other parts of Montenegro and the region, creating a diverse and vibrant crowd.
Dino Merlin Headline Performance at Dvorski trg
The main evening program in Cetinje took place at Dvorski trg, where the musical segment began at 6 p.m. with a performance by Montenegrin singer Jadranka Barjaktarović. The program then continued with a headline concert by Dino Merlin, who performed before a packed square.
Merlin opened his performance with the song “Da šutiš” and continued with several well-known hits, including “Mi” and “Nešto lijepo treba da se desi.” The audience actively participated, singing along, waving flags and illuminating the square with phone lights, contributing to a strong visual and emotional atmosphere.
During the concert, Merlin addressed the audience, expressing gratitude for the reception and recalling his previous performance in Cetinje in 2016, which added a personal note to the event and strengthened the connection with the crowd.
