At the ceremonial session of the Žabljak Municipal Assembly held on the occasion of Municipality Day, the Maintenance Service of Region 7—the maintenance team from Žabljak—received the highest award that a collective or an individual can receive from their town: the “17 September” Award. In recognition of their conscientious, responsible and dedicated work to ensure electricity supply for the citizens of Žabljak, even in the most extreme weather conditions, our heroes were nominated by the very people for whom they carry out their work with such honour: their fellow citizens.
Žabljak Mayor Veselin Vukićević, explaining why this year’s highest municipal award went to the Maintenance Service of the Montenegrin Electricity Distribution System, said that their responsible and selfless work had earned them the respect of Žabljak’s citizens, as well as his own.
“For all these years and decades, in the most difficult conditions imaginable, they have done everything they could to enable life to function normally in our harsh Durmitor conditions,” Vukićević said.
Engineer Srećko Kotlica, who supervises the team whose work earned it this prestigious award, thanked the municipality on behalf of CEDIS and the Žabljak Maintenance Service for the recognition, adding that he was honoured to be part of this outstanding Žabljak team.
“Public recognition from the town is further confirmation that sincere effort and hard work are recognised and valued. It is an additional incentive for our future efforts, but also a source of relief. Obstacles and difficulties are easier to overcome when you know that someone appreciates your dedication. There is no need to explain the significance of the ‘17 September’ Award, which is why we are even more honoured to receive it,” Kotlica said, adding that the team was donating the cash portion of the award to Žabljak’s “Eko bajka” kindergarten to make the children’s time there more enjoyable and provide them with new toys.
Jelena Terzić Bojović, speaking on behalf of the expert jury for the award, said that the jury had unanimously decided to present the award to CEDIS DOO Podgorica—Region 7—Žabljak Maintenance Service. She also noted that for the Žabljak team—Zoran Kasalica, Ranko Knežević, Luka Baranin, Dalibor Stijepović, Blagoje Bojović, Ivan Ćurić and their supervisor, Srećko Kotlica—no obstacle is insurmountable. Although they risk their lives in some of Montenegro’s most beautiful, but certainly harshest, regions, they set out to work with a smile, knowing that their fellow citizens are waiting for them.
“Durmitor winters are harsh and long, and problems caused by ice and snow encasing poles and wires are frequent and complicated, so this dedicated and compassionate team is never short of work. By nominating them for this award, the citizens of Žabljak—Krš Šljivansko Local Community—showed that they recognise and appreciate the team’s readiness to set out at any time of day or night, regardless of the obstacles and dangers they might encounter,” Terzić Bojović said.
Veteran CEDIS electrical fitter Zoran Kasalica said that the award recognised not only their work, but that of the entire collective.
“We are grateful both to the municipality and to those who nominated us—our fellow citizens. It is wonderful that they have shown such appreciation for our work and effort, and I assure them that we will never give up and will always be there for them,” Kasalica said.
His colleague Ranko Knežević said that the “17 September” Award, Žabljak’s highest public distinction, was a special honour for him, and that he was extremely proud of the team he works with.
“What makes me especially happy and proud is that the nomination came from our fellow citizens, particularly those who live in the most remote villages of the Durmitor region, for whom electricity is their connection to the world. We, our Service, are always ready to give every last ounce of our strength to ensure that citizens have a reliable electricity supply, regardless of the season or weather conditions,” Knežević said.
For electrical fitter Ivan Ćurić, the award also holds special significance and serves as an incentive for further work.
“In the previous period, my colleagues and I had a considerable amount of work, especially in the Žabljak and Šavnik areas. While carrying out our daily duties, we encountered various difficulties due to bad weather and inaccessible terrain, but we always complete the work successfully through teamwork and the expertise of the team members and supervisors. I am truly grateful for the award and proud to be part of this team and the CEDIS collective,” Ćurić said.
“Žabljak’s citizens have recognised our many years of work and dedication, and on this ceremonial day they presented us with an award,” said Blagoje Bojović, a long-serving member of the Žabljak maintenance team, adding:
“The award is the culmination of our very difficult and demanding work in all weather conditions, especially in winter, when it is much harder to reach remote and less accessible places and carry out repairs. The most meaningful reward is, in fact, the understanding shown by the customers who have recognised our work and efforts in the field over the years, and we would like to thank them for that as well,” Bojović said.
Luka Baranin shares his colleagues’ views. He is honoured to receive the “17 September” Award.
“We know that our fellow citizens appreciate every swift response and every fault repaired. We are equally grateful to them for their understanding and patience, because bad weather sometimes prevents us from completing work within the desired timeframe. We will continue to do our best to live up to their trust,” Baranin concluded.
Their fellow citizens recognised their efforts, nominated them for the town’s award and, in doing so, partly repaid them for everything they do for the community.
As local residents told us this winter, they see the team as a bright light in that remote wilderness. After travelling for hours through blizzards and snowdrifts, they reach the site of a fault and expertly resolve the problem in record time. On their way back, they sometimes stop to warm up and refresh themselves with one of the few families who remain in the area over winter.
“They mean more to us than the light they provide in a bulb. They are there for us, and they are our only visitors. They are the only ones who manage to reach us when neither the doctors, the road workers nor our own children can get here—our electricians make it. They bring us medicine and a little conversation, too. Electricity is less important. We often tell them not to go any further and not to take risks, but they do not listen. Then we worry about them until we see them again.” This is how residents of Žabljak’s villages speak about their quiet heroes. Every word conveys the deep respect they have for them. And they truly deserve it.
