Abolition of the Military Training Ground Initiative

At the session of the 44th Government of Montenegro, held on July 10, 2025, Prime Minister Milojko Spajić announced the decision to abolish the initiative to establish a military training ground on Sinjajevina, marking the institutional conclusion of years of struggle by local communities and activists.

The previous proposal by Minister of Defense Dragan Krapović was formally submitted to the Government, nullifying the decisions of previous administrations that had initiated the training ground.

The Prime Minister emphasized at the occasion:
"The 44th Government does not follow, but corrects wrong decisions! … We hear the voice of the citizens… we think of future generations."

This represented a historic victory for civic activism, recognized and confirmed through institutional channels. The Petrovdan celebration, held immediately after this news, carried additional emotional and symbolic significance.

Program and Atmosphere

• Members of the Civic Initiative Sačuvajmo Sinjajevinu, herders, activists, and citizens gathered in large numbers.

• The atmosphere was particularly festive following the news of the abolition of the military training ground initiative—there was a palpable sense of relief and pride in the achieved success.

Traditional Feast
A rich traditional feast specific to the region was prepared, including:

• Homemade cheese and kajmak,

• Yellow and white cheese, homemade bread,

• Baked cheese (sirnica), dried prosciutto, sausages, as well as homemade jams and honey,

• Pies and japraks with local vegetables,

• Herbal tea made from mountain plants.

As always, the feast represented a combination of authentic flavors and hospitality, symbolically reflecting culture and community.

• The celebration united an important historical moment—the abolition of the military training ground initiative—giving new context to the struggle for environmental preservation.

• Local identity and tradition were symbolically strengthened through the feast, song, and communal gathering.

• Community support and activism—the celebratory spirit became a confirmation that the community has the power to influence state decisions.

The Petrovdan celebration on Sinjajevina this year was not just an ordinary day of gathering—it was also a symbolic confirmation of the community’s victory in the fight to protect the mountain. At the same time, it remained what it has always been: a day for herders to gather and exchange information about the conditions on the mountain this year, the progress of livestock, pasture and water availability, as well as other challenges and experiences of daily mountain life. With a rich feast and a spirit of togetherness, Sinjajevina once again demonstrated that its strength lies in the people who love and protect it.