Na Dan državnosti Crne Gore, 13. jula, na Trgu ispred Katedrale sv. Tripuna, biće upriličeno tradicionalno svečano otvaranje KotorArta – Don Brankovih dana muzike. Ovogodišnje otvaranje posvećeno je dvojici istaknutih stvaralaca koji su trajno obilježili kulturni identitet Kotora – don Branku Sbutegi i Ivanu Brkanoviću, povodom 20 godina od don Brankove smrti i 120 godina od rođenja najznačajnijeg kotorskog kompozitora.

KotorArt se ove godine s posebnim poštovanjem prisjeća jednog od svojih osnivača, neponovljivog don Branka Sbutege (1952–2006), čija je vizija ostavila dubok trag u razvoju Festivala i kulturnog života Crne Gore. Tim povodom, na svečanom otvaranju premijerno će biti izveden ciklus Pjesme muzici za bas-bariton i simfonijski orkestar kompozitora i dirigenta Mladena Tarbuka, nastao na osnovu izbora iz don Brankovog pjesničkog opusa posvećenog
muzici.

Program će obuhvatiti i prvo izvođenje u Crnoj Gori monumentalnog djela Triptihon Ivana Brkanovića za soliste, hor i simfonijski orkestar. Nastalo 1936. godine i nagrađeno priznanjem Zagrebačke filharmonije već naredne godine, ovo djelo predstavlja jedno od najznačajnijih ostvarenja hrvatske i regionalne muzičke literature. Njegova trostavačna forma prožeta je snažnim dramskim nabojem i elementima lokalnog izraza, krećući se od meditativne tužbalice do svečanog zajedništva i životne radosti.

Na sceni će nastupiti Bokeljski simfonijski orkestar i Akademski hor „Ivan Goran Kovačić“, uz soliste Mihaelu Kristinu Mlinarić (sopran), Rezu Fekrija (tenor) i jednog od najistaknutijih hrvatskih umjetnika današnjice, bas-baritona Krešimira Stražanca. Ansamblom će dirigovati maestro Mladen Tarbuk.

Kroz susret poezije, muzike i kulturnog nasljeđa, svečano otvaranje KotorArta odaje počast ljudima čije stvaralaštvo i danas inspiriše, potvrđujući Festival kao mjesto susreta umjetnosti, sjećanja i savremenog stvaralačkog dijaloga.

U periodu od 13. jula do 16. avgusta planirani su brojni muzički, vokalno-instrumentalni, hibridni, pozorišni i debatni programi festivalskih učesnika iz 13 zemalja Evrope i svijeta, čiji nastupi Kotor svake godine čine istinskim centrom umjetnosti. Jubilarno, 25. izdanje KotorArta biće obilježeno i dvjema festivalskim publikacijama - promocijom sabranih djela don Branka Sbutege i monografijom posvećenoj jubileju festivala. Takođe, KotorArt će 120 godina od rođenja Ivana Brkanovića dodatno obilježiti i a capella koncertom Akademskog zbora Ivan Goran Kovačić, planiranim za 15. jul u Crkvi Sv. Eustahija u Dobroti.

On Montenegro’s Statehood Day, July 13, the traditional ceremonial opening of KotorArt – Don Branko’s Music Days will be held at the square in front of the Cathedral of St. Tryphon. This year’s opening is dedicated to two distinguished figures who have permanently shaped the cultural identity of Kotor – don Branko Sbutega and Ivan Brkanović, marking the 20th anniversary of don Branko’s passing and the 120th anniversary of the birth of Kotor’s most prominent composer.

This year, KotorArt pays special tribute to one of its founders, the inimitable don Branko Sbutega (1952–2006), whose vision left a profound mark on the development of the Festival and the cultural life of Montenegro. On this occasion, the opening concert will feature the world premiere of the cycle Pjesme muzici for bass-baritone and symphony orchestra by composer and conductor Mladen Tarbuk, based on a selection from don Branko’s poetic oeuvre dedicated to music.

The programme will also include the first performance in Montenegro of the monumental work Triptihon by Ivan Brkanović for soloists, choir, and symphony orchestra. Composed in 1936 and awarded a prize by the Zagreb Philharmonic the following year, this work stands as one of the most significant achievements in Croatian and regional musical literature. Its three-movement form is imbued with strong dramatic expression and elements of local idiom, ranging from a meditative lament to festive expressions of unity and vitality.

The stage will feature the Bokelj Symphony Orchestra and the Academic Choir “Ivan Goran Kovačić”, joined by soloists Mihaela Kristina Mlinarić (soprano), Reza Fekri (tenor), and one of the most distinguished Croatian artists of today, bass-baritone Krešimir Stražanac. The ensemble will be conducted by maestro Mladen Tarbuk.

Through the encounter of poetry, music, and cultural heritage, the opening ceremony of KotorArt pays tribute to individuals whose creative work continues to inspire, affirming the Festival as a space of artistic encounter, memory, and contemporary creative dialogue.

During the period from July 13 to August 16, a rich programme of musical, vocal-instrumental, hybrid, theatre, and debate events is planned, featuring festival participants from 13 countries across Europe and the world, whose performances annually transform Kotor into a true centre of the arts. The jubilee 25th edition of KotorArt will also be marked by two festival publications – the presentation of the collected works of don Branko Sbutega and a monograph dedicated to the festival’s anniversary. Additionally, KotorArt will commemorate the 120th anniversary of Ivan Brkanović’s birth with an a cappella concert by the Academic Choir “Ivan Goran Kovačić”, scheduled for July 15 at the Church of St. Eustathius in Dobrota.