Montenegrin Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Montenegro, whose name means black mountain, lies on the Adriatic coast of the Balkans. It became independent in 2006. The Bay of Kotor, with its medieval towns, is recognised by UNESCO. Montenegrins in Britain include professionals, students and families.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 415 residents gave Bosnian, Croatian, Serbian or Montenegrin as their main language. Main language figures leave out the many bilingual residents who use English day to day, so the number who speak the language at home is higher still. The census counts these closely related languages together and does not publish a separate figure for Montenegrins.

Working for Birmingham

Montenegrin residents work in hospitality, tourism, construction, healthcare and business. Montenegro's growing tourism industry means that many Montenegrins bring skills in hospitality and customer service, and students study at British universities.

Birmingham grew rich as the city of a thousand trades, and that spirit of making and doing is still strong. Today the trades sit alongside healthcare, education, finance, law, logistics and technology. The Montenegrin community brings energy to that mix, from people starting small businesses to those caring for patients, teaching in classrooms and keeping homes and workplaces in good repair.

Culture and community life

Montenegrin culture is shaped by its mountains and its coast, with dishes such as njeguski prsut, a smoked ham, and fresh seafood from the Adriatic. Hospitality is a point of honour, and the country's folk traditions, including epic poetry sung to the gusle, are cherished.

Birmingham's strength lies in its variety, and the Montenegrin community is a welcome part of it. As the city continues to grow and change, that contribution will remain part of the story of a place that has always looked forward.