Montenegro on the rise: Solar power, language politics, and fierce passion on the football and basketball pitches
I’ve always been drawn to places in the midst of change. And right now, one of the Mediterranean’s hidden gems, Montenegro, is brimming with an energy that hardly anyone up here in the Nordics is talking about. I know, I know – most people still associate the country with cheap package holidays and the odd cruise ship. But beneath the surface, things are stirring. Properly stirring.
Clean energy from the Adriatic coast
I’ve just been looking through the latest images from the new Vracenovič solar plant. 100 megawatts. This isn’t some small trial – it’s a proper industrial facility that’s changing the game across the Western Balkans. The project has now secured its environmental permit, and from what I can see, this is exactly what the country needs. Montenegro has been energy-dependent for years, but now it’s finally taking control. This isn’t greenwashing – it’s real, hard fact.
At the same time, the tourism sector is making huge strides. The country has launched a new quality mark for attractions and service providers, particularly to strengthen ties with the British market. I’ve seen too many beautiful destinations ruined by mass tourism, but here they’re doing it right. They’re focusing on quality, not quantity.
A language of its own, an identity of its own
One of the most fascinating things here is, of course, the Montenegrin language – or crnogorski. It’s only been the official language since 2007, and that tells you everything about the need to stand apart from neighbours. Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia. Here, every word is a statement. They use two special characters, ś and ź, which don’t exist in other South Slavic languages. A small detail, but a bloody important one. When someone speaks Montenegrin, they’re not just speaking – they’re making it crystal clear who they are.
The beating heart of sport: football and basketball
But let’s get to what really gets the blood pumping here: sport. The Montenegro national football team has grown fiercer year by year. I don’t mean they’ll 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 – players like Nikola Krstović – bring raw power and game intelligence to the pitch. And when the stadium in Podgorica fills up, it’s like standing on the rim of a volcano.
And then there’s the Montenegro national basketball team. Here, they breathe basketball. They don’t have NBA stars on every corner, but they play as if every match is their last. Remember their fight in the European Championship qualifiers? That wasn’t tactics – it was heart. And that was enough to stun the whole of Europe.
- Football: Tough, tackling and proud. No circus – just warfare on the grass.
- Basketball: Fast, tactical and full of surprises. They never give up, even if they’re 20 points down.
- Language: Crnogorski – a small but proud difference from the 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 have incredible endurance and determination. A black dog with tan markings, it never gives up until the quarry is found. It’s the perfect metaphor for this people: tenacious, loyal, and at times bloody stubborn.
Next time you’re thinking about a holiday destination or even a new passion, look 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 in the North can only envy.