Budva City Music celebrates 120 years with new exhibition

An exhibition titled ‘One City – One Music: 120 Years of Gradska muzika Budva’ has opened at the Jovo Ivanović Modern Gallery to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the Budva City Music ensemble.

Founded in 1906, the ensemble has remained active through most of its history, except during the two World Wars. The exhibition features photographs, documents, musical instruments, and sheet music spanning from 1904 to the present day. Notable items include the saxophone and clarinet used by conductor Ljubo Urban, who led the group from 1955 to 1988, and a bass instrument that was hidden on a roof by the Zes family during World War II.

Curator Ilija Stanković and President Željko Vasović noted that the ensemble is a vital part of Budva’s cultural identity and heritage. The members are not professional musicians by trade but maintain the tradition through personal dedication, with some members participating for several decades.