On November 27, 2023, the prestigious French honor, the Order of Arts and Letters, was awarded to Maja Popovic, the music program director at KIC Budo Tomovic and president of the organization Jazz Art. The ceremony took place at the residence of the French ambassador in Podgorica, underscoring the significance of Popovic’s contributions to cultural exchange between France and Montenegro.
During the event, French Ambassador An Mari Maske praised Popovic’s leadership over the past 24 years, highlighting her role in transforming the music program into a hub for cultural collaboration and dialogue. “Your work, both visionary and deeply rooted in reality, has created lasting connections between France and Montenegro, providing thousands of people access to the richness of our heritage as well as contemporary creativity in all its diversity,” the ambassador stated.
Maske emphasized that Popovic founded Jazz Art in 2009 to promote jazz education and concerts in Montenegro. The organization now coordinates the annual event, “Month of Respect for Jazz in Montenegro,” which has become a key cultural gathering every April, attracting local talent and artists from around the globe. “This event has become an essential occasion where music serves as a bridge between cultures,” Maske added.
In her acceptance speech, Popovic expressed her gratitude for the recognition and acknowledged the French embassy and the Ministry of Culture of France for their support of her long-standing work in the arts. She noted the honor comes from a country that symbolizes European and global culture, lending it special significance. “France is a great nation that, while developing its own culture, has embraced others and woven them into its cultural milieu,” she remarked.
Popovic stressed the importance of promoting artistic quality, cosmopolitanism, and international collaboration. She reflected on the interactions between Montenegrin musicians and French artists, which she believes have enriched the local music scene by bringing new knowledge and perspectives. “Receiving the Order of Arts and Letters is both a great honor and a commitment to continue contributing to the development of Montenegro’s music scene and the cultural cooperation between our two countries,” she concluded.
The Order of Arts and Letters, established in 1957, is one of France’s four most significant honors. It is awarded by the French Ministry of Culture to distinguished individuals in the fields of arts, literature, and cultural heritage, as well as those who have made significant contributions to the dissemination of French and global artistic and cultural heritage. This recognition not only celebrates individual achievement but also reinforces the enduring cultural ties between nations.
