By Neelum Yousaf
In a peculiar tradition that continues to baffle and amuse, Montenegro has once again commenced its annual “laziest citizen” contest, where participants commit to nearly 24 hours of reclining on mats. As the event’s name humorously implies, the objective here is to determine who can boast the “longest bedtime” and out-lounge their fellow competitors.
This eccentric competition unfolds in the scenic resort village of Brezna, nestled in the northern reaches of Montenegro. The 2021 edition of this curious challenge began in mid-August and has now entered its impressive 26th day, with only seven of the initial 21 participants still in the running. What’s at stake for these horizontal contenders? A generous grand prize of $1,070, equivalent to approximately ₹88,000.
According to the competition’s ground rules, contestants, while indulging in their marathon recline, are permitted to sleep, satiate their culinary and beverage cravings, peruse books, and even make use of their smartphones. However, a substantial catch is that sitting upright or attempting to stand is deemed a violation of the contest’s regulations. Contestants are grudgingly allowed a mere 10-minute respite every eight hours for essential visits to the restroom. For context, last year’s champion of lounging logged an impressive 117-hour record. This year, the competition has impressively surged past 26 days, as reported by The New York Post.
Dubravka Aksic, the reigning champion from the 2021 edition, shares her perspective on this truly unique event: “All of us feel good, excellent, there are no health problems, they are pampering us, all we have to do is to remain lying down.”
So, how did this quirky tradition come into existence? The contest originated 12 years ago in Montenegro as a satirical response to a pervasive stereotype that often portrays Montenegrins as inherently lazy. Radonja Blagojevic, one of the competition’s organizers, shed light on its origins: “We organized this lying-down competition as a parody, playing on the stereotype that Montenegrins are lazy, to see who can endure it the longest. Currently, there are seven contestants out of the 21 who applied this year.”
Ms. Blagojevic further revealed that the seven tenacious participants who have endured the prolonged horizontal existence have collectively logged an astonishing 463 hours of lounging so far.
While this offbeat event may initially seem like a whimsical and humorous spectacle, it has become a testament to human endurance, determination, and perhaps a lighthearted jab at the very notion of laziness. Montenegro’s “laziest citizen” contest continues to provide both participants and spectators with a blend of amusement and amazement as it stretches the boundaries of what it means to be idle.
In the picturesque resort village of Brezna, nestled in the northern reaches of Montenegro, an annual spectacle unlike any other has once again taken center stage. It’s the “laziest citizen” contest, where participants make an extraordinary commitment to lounging on mats for nearly 24 hours a day. As the event’s name playfully suggests, the objective here is to determine who can claim the title of having the “longest bedtime” and out-laze their fellow competitors.
This peculiar competition, which is now in its 26th day, commenced its 2021 edition in mid-August. However, what started as a field of 21 hopeful contenders has now whittled down to just seven tenacious individuals, all vying for the ultimate reward—a grand prize of $1,070, approximately ₹88,000.
The rulebook for this one-of-a-kind event grants participants a surprisingly wide range of privileges. While competing in their horizontal stances, they are not only permitted to sleep but can also satisfy their culinary cravings and hydrate with their preferred beverages. Reading books and even indulging in some phone time are deemed perfectly acceptable. However, and here’s the catch, attempting to sit upright or stand is considered a direct violation of the competition’s rather unusual regulations. Contestants are begrudgingly allowed a mere 10-minute reprieve every eight hours to attend to essential matters in the restroom.
Now, to put this incredible feat into perspective, consider that last year’s champion in the realm of reclining managed to accumulate a truly astonishing 117 hours of continuous lounging. However, this year, the competition has transcended that record, stretching past an astounding 26 days, as per a report from The New York Post.
Dubravka Aksic, the reigning champion from the 2021 edition, shares her perspective on this truly unique event: “All of us feel good, excellent, there are no health problems, they are pampering us, all we have to do is to remain lying down.”
But what inspired the inception of this bizarre tradition? The contest was born 12 years ago in this tiny country as a lighthearted parody, playfully poking fun at a prevalent myth that often characterizes Montenegrins as inherently lazy. Radonja Blagojevic, one of the competition’s organizers, sheds light on its origins: “We organized this lying-down competition as a parody, playing on the stereotype that Montenegrins are lazy, to see who can endure it the longest. Currently, there are seven contestants out of the 21 who applied this year,” explains Ms. Blagojevic.
She goes on to reveal that the seven tenacious participants, who have persevered through nearly 26 days of continuous lounging, have collectively logged an astonishing 463 hours in their horizontal quest.
Traditionally held beneath the ample shade of a maple tree, this year’s competition faced a unique challenge—unfavorable weather conditions that prompted a relocation to a wooden shack. Yet, despite this change in venue, competitors remain under careful observation, with their health being closely monitored. So far, the event has transpired without any significant health concerns.
As the “laziest citizen” contest continues to unfold, it not only showcases the lengths to which people can go in pursuit of an offbeat title but also challenges prevailing stereotypes, proving that Montenegro’s residents are more than willing to defy expectations, even while at rest.
In conclusion, the ‘Laziest Citizen’ contest in Montenegro has captured attention worldwide with its peculiar rules and parody of stereotypes. As this unique event continues to unfold, it raises questions about the limits of human endurance and the humor in challenging long-held beliefs.
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