Montenegro is on the rise: Solar power, language politics, and raw passion on the football and basketball courts
I've always been drawn to places in the middle of a real shift. And right now, one of the Mediterranean's hidden gems, Montenegro, is buzzing with energy that hardly anyone up here in the Nordics is talking about. I know, I know – most people still think of it as just a spot for cheap holidays and the odd cruise. But underneath the surface, things are simmering. Properly.
Clean energy from the Adriatic coast
I've just been looking at the latest shots of the new solar plant in Vracenovič. 100 megawatts. That's no small trial – it's a serious industrial-scale operation that's going to change the game across the Western Balkans. The project has just secured its environmental permit, and take it from me, this is exactly what the country needs. Montenegro has been energy-dependent for years, but now it's finally taking the wheel. This isn't some greenwashing stunt – it's real, hard facts.
At the same time, tourism is making huge strides. The country has rolled out a new quality seal for attractions and service providers, especially to boost ties with the UK market. I've seen too many beautiful spots ruined by mass tourism, but here they're doing it right. They're focusing on quality, not quantity.
A language of their own, an identity of their own
One of the most fascinating things here is, of course, the Montenegrin language – or crnogorski, as they call it. It's only been the official language since 2007, and that tells you everything about the need to stand out from its neighbours. Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia. Every word here is a statement. They use two special characters, ś and ź, which don't exist in other South Slavic languages. A small detail, but bloody important. When someone speaks Montenegrin, they're not just talking – they're making it crystal clear who they are.
The beating heart of sport: football and basketball
But let's get to the thing that really gets the blood pumping around here: sport. Montenegro's national football team has been getting fiercer every year. Don't get me wrong – they're not about to win the World Cup tomorrow, but their passion is something you have to respect. Captain Stevan Jovetić is already a legend, but the new generation, like Nikola Krstović, brings raw power and sharp instincts to the pitch. And when Podgorica's stadium fills up, it's like standing on the edge of a volcano.
And then there's Montenegro's national basketball team. These guys live and breathe basketball. They might not have NBA stars on every corner, but they play as if every match is their last. Remember their fight in the EuroBasket qualifiers? That wasn't tactics – that was heart. And it was enough to stun the whole of Europe.
- Football: Tough, tackling, proud. No circus, just war on the grass.
- Basketball: Fast, tactical, full of surprises. They never give up, even when they're 20 points down.
- Language: Crnogorski – a small but proud point of difference from their neighbours.
The Montenegrin mountain hound – a gem in fur
I can't forget one rarity that tells you more about this country than any statistic: the Montenegrin mountain hound. This breed is old, properly old. They were bred for mountain hunting, and they've got unbelievable stamina and determination. A black dog with brown markings that never quits until the prey is found. It's the perfect symbol for this people: tenacious, loyal, and bloody stubborn at times.
Next time you're thinking of a holiday destination or even a new passion, point your gaze towards the Adriatic. Montenegro is no longer Europe's forgotten corner. It's a builder of the future with the wisdom of an old soul. And that's something we up here in the north can only envy.