Hospitality has long been one of the defining values of Ulcinj and Bar, shaping the way different religious and cultural communities lived alongside one another.
At the beginning of the 20th century, publicist Marko Dragović described the villages around Mërkoti as modest and prosperous communities whose residents earned their livelihoods both locally and abroad, particularly in Istanbul.
With money earned abroad, Mërkoti residents gradually purchased land from the beys and agas of Ulcinj and Bar. Historical accounts also describe networks of solidarity that helped people from these areas find work and better opportunities in Istanbul.
Solidarity Over Wealth
The communities were characterized by modest living, solidarity and cooperation rather than competition for wealth.
The article argues that intercultural cooperation was not simply an ideal, but part of the social fabric that allowed these communities to endure.
Understanding another religion, it suggests, requires more than knowing its traditions. It means being able to see the world through the eyes of an Orthodox Christian, Catholic or Muslim — something that becomes possible through genuine friendship.
“Better one friend than an estate.”
Hospitality as a Social Institution
Hospitality extended beyond welcoming relatives or friends. A village was traditionally known not only by its roads and fields, but also by the way it received strangers.
The guest — whether poor or respected — was treated with dignity and protection. Hospitality was considered a moral obligation, while refusing payment for it was seen as part of preserving human dignity.
There was even an established tradition of shelter and protection, under which someone who entered a household seeking refuge could be granted safety, regardless of their circumstances.
For Ulcinj and Bar, this tradition offers a powerful historical lesson: interculturalism begins not with institutions, but with the human act of opening the door to another person.
Meta Description:
A look at how hospitality, solidarity and friendship between religious communities helped shape the intercultural traditions of Ulcinj and Bar.
