The Second Children’s Carnival Pleased Everybody
The ceremony of consigning the keys of the city gates to Dušan Samardžić, the little Capo of the carnival, opened the two-day long “The Second Herceg Novi Children’s Carnival“ international event. The keys of the city gates were handed over to Dušan by Mr. Rade Božović, the Secretary of the Public Activities Office, stating his expectation that while the keys are in the hands of the little Capo, the children’s faces shall be lit with smiles.
The little Capo of the carnival self-confidently replied that the keys to the town are in safe hands, which thrilled the audience in the packed Park Hall.
The citizens of Herceg Novi and their guests had the opportunity to see the performances of Herceg Novi majourettes, the participants of the “Little Scales“ festival Tripo Andrić and Radmila Božović, dance club“ Diano“, folklore troup “Đenovići“, dance club “Anabela“ from Macedonia, folklore club “Zlatibor“ from Čajetina, as well as the performance by the dance studio from Novo Mesto.
The event established last year by the NGO „Youth Centre Herceg Novi“, the main objective of which is development of youth tourism concept, inter-cultural cooperation, tolerance and respect, has brought together about forty groups from Montenegro, Slovenia, Serbia, B&H and Macedonia.
Along with the dance acts, two nights ago the viewers of this lively happening had the chance to see the art works by the young carnival participants diplayed in the Park Hall lobby, as well as the Internet presentation of the NGO “Youth Centre Herceg Novi“.
All carnival groups went on parade through the lovely decorated Nikola Đurković Square and Njegoševa Street, ending with a great children’s masked ball. At the end of the programme, together with the magnificent fireworks, there was also a concert by Milena Vučić.
Mr. Milijan Mijović, the director of the carnival and the president of the NGO “Youth Center Herceg Novi“ pointed out to the short-term and long-term benefits of such an event which is also unique in the region, and also expressed his satisfaction about the fact that the event finished without any problems.
The short-term results of the carnival relate to the fact that over 100 children from the Children’s Home in Bijela deprived of family life experience have been included into the project, while the Home itself managed to improve its financial state accomodating the carnival participants. Another benefit is that we provided the children with the chance of doing by themselves what they have up to now only been able to observe the adults do. In addition, the number of tourists visiting our town has also incerased. The long-term benefits relate to the fact that as the carnival is getting international proportions, it makes Herceg Novi more recognized, and improves the chances that its tourist season starts earlier-as stated by Mr. Mijović.
During the carnival days, the main sponsor of which was the City Tourist Organization, under the patronage of the Municipality Herceg Novi, all letters and deliveries from Herceg Novi bore the stamp of the Children’s Carnival. The special occasion envelope was also issued.