While Serbs in Montenegro have long alleged a culture of discrimination against use of the Cyrillic script, the pro-Serbian parties now ruling the coastal municipalities have made use of their position in local governments to boost its promotion, with help from Serbia.

Calling it a battle for the “survival of Cyrillic“, the resort towns of Budva, Kotor and Herceg Novi have hosted number of cultural events this summer, which some see as a politically motivated moves designed to cause tension.

A Greek myth says that the Theban king Cadmus founded Budva three millennia ago. After he left Thebes, together with his wife Harmony, he came to the Illyrian tribe named the Eel People and founded the town.