Five editions of the Montenegrin Colouring Book, an original educational format which, since 2021, has brought children closer to the beauty of nature, cities, cultural heritage and symbols of Montenegro, are now available in Macedonian.
This is the first international edition of the series, created within the project My Montenegro in Colours – Montenegrin Colouring Book for Diaspora Children, implemented by the Association for Culture, Shared Values and Sustainable Development DIVAN, with the support of the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs through the programme for co-financing programmes and projects in the field of cooperation with diaspora–emigrants 2025.
The aim of the project is for children growing up outside Montenegro, in this case in North Macedonia, to remain connected to their country of origin through play, illustrations, and stories adapted to their age. The colouring books are designed as a bridge between generations – to encourage family conversations, preserve memories and build a sense of pride and belonging.
“Translation and adaptation include the five most in-demand editions, which are now adapted for use in schools, cultural centres, associations and citizens of Montenegrin origin in North Macedonia. The content remains true to the original – illustrations, narratives and thematic units retain their educational function, while the translation enables a trilingual experience and easier access to the material,” stated Adrijana Husić, editor of the Montenegrin Colouring Book edition.
In the first print run, 500 copies of each of the five editions were printed, which will, through schools, cultural centres, associations and events, reach at least 2,500 direct users – children, parents and teachers – and many more through shared use in classrooms, workshops and family settings.
Project coordinator and publication collaborator on behalf of the Association for Culture, Shared Values and Sustainable Development DIVAN, Enisa Murseli-Gjokaj, highlights the multiple role such publications have for emigrants: “Authentic publications such as these strengthen the connection of the diaspora with Montenegro’s cultural heritage, while at the same time building a space of understanding, openness and intercultural dialogue in the environments where emigrants from Montenegro live.”
The Montenegrin Colouring Book has, over the past years, become a recognisable tool for learning through play. Each edition guides the youngest through cities, mountains, coasts, stories and legends; through symbols of nature and cultural heritage that shape the identity of a country.
Through the five translated editions – Montenegro 1, Montenegro 2, Birds of Montenegro, Forests of Montenegro and Traditional Costumes of Montenegro – children in North Macedonia will be able to explore Montenegro in a way that is familiar and understandable: through colouring, curiosity and play, in a language they use every day, but also with a constant reminder of the origins of their families.
Thus, the Montenegrin Colouring Book, from a local project dedicated to the youngest, evolves into an educational resource – a small book that colours an important bridge between the diaspora and the homeland.
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