Museum of Family Memories opened in Budva

BUDVA, 21 March 2017 – A shabby belt, a locked lock, a woman’s scarf are only some of the items telling true stories on display at the Museum of Family Memories that set on its journey in Budva. The exhibits displayed in the hall of Budva’s Knowledge Academy are a part of the unique collection which includes stories testifying of fond, but also quite painful childhood memories. 

“I think the exhibition is very meaningful, it will linger in my mind, as it is very unusual. I have never seen any exhibition like this before” said a girl from Budva who visited the Museum, and added: “I used to think it was ok for parents to hit their child for the child’s own good, but now I know if a parent hits the child and the child fails to understand what he’s done wrong, it has no effect. And it is only the weak people who cannot face their children psychologically who then resort to hitting”. 

UNICEF data warn that painful childhood memories are not a matter of the past only. Two thirds of children in Montenegro up to 14 years of age experience some form of violence while growing up. One in two adults believe corporal punishment of children is acceptable. 

UNICEF Representative to Montenegro Benjamin Perks warned that adversity is often passed on from parents to children, but that the intergenerational cycle can be broken. 
 

One of such services was launched by the Association “Parents”, with the support of UNICEF and EU. The NGO director, Kristina Mihailovic says that during the first month and a half of the toll-free helpline for parents more than one hundred parents called asking for assistance. 

“Parents call us and have different things that interest them. We often talk about alternatives to corporal punishment", said Mihailović and reminded the helpline is available every working day between 4 and 8 pm. 

The need to put an end to violent methods of raising children was stressed by the Mayor of Budva, Dragan Krapović, who hosted the public discussion between parents and experts regarding parenting. 

"The cherished motto in Montenegro that ‘If you spare the rod, you spoil the child’ needs to be replaced by new ways of disciplining children that put children in safer and more loving environments, leaving the rod as a parental disciplining tool to the past", said Krapović, noting the readiness of the Municipality of Budva to work on curbing violence against children in cooperation with nongovernmental organisations, the private sector and experts.

The extent of violence children are exposed to is testified by the experience of Dragana Mitrovic, a primary school teacher in Budva and a winner of the state award ’Oktoih’ for her pedagogical work. 
 

"I was in a situation where a girl would cry and go into tantrums each time when she does not get an A. You wonder? Then you learn that her mother does not let her eat if she gets a B", said Mitrovic who has 26 years of pedagogical work experience.

The exhibition of the Museum of Family Memories and the public discussion regarding the relations between parents and children was organised in Budva within the #EndViolence campaign initiated by UNICEF and the Government of Montenegro with support from the EU and the Telenor Foundation.

All interested individuals can donate their stories and personal items to the Museum and thus, join the public debate on families, childhood, parenting and childhood adversity.

Within the campaign, the Museum will share family memories with citizens throughout Montenegro wishing every family to become a place with more support, love and respect for every family member.