50‑Day Lying‑Down Contest Sets Record in Montenegro ^{CEFR B2}

The annual lying‑down contest at Brezna Ethno Village in the village of Donja Brezna set a new endurance record when it ended on October 5 with 50 days of resting. The event began on Friday, August 18, 2023, and included 21 contestants from Montenegro, Russia, Serbia and Ukraine. Joint winners were Lidija Marković, a 23‑year‑old beautician from Nikšić, and 23‑year‑old Filip Knežević from Mojkovac; the two shared the EUR 1000 top prize and stood together on the throne to send a message that "love and accord can solve all." Organizers announced the end on Instagram with the message "Izležavanje od 50 dana se završilo" and the English line "The 50 days of lounging are over."

The 50‑day finish broke the previous record from 2021, which lasted nearly five days (about 117 hours). Prize amounts have grown in recent years: EUR 300 in 2021, EUR 350 in 2022 and EUR 1000 in 2023. Organiser Radonja Blagojević described the contest as "a very psychological competition" and said participants often form friendships.

Contestants said solitude brought moments of laughter, crying and prayer, and that they had fun together, playing music and even dancing while lying down. Lidija told journalists she came "to enjoy, to rest, and of course I strive to win," and she added that her parents begged her to stand up and offered the thousand euros, but she stayed to win and called the event a psychological game.

• Contestants could sleep, read, eat and drink.
• They were not allowed to stand up.
• Toilet breaks were permitted every eight hours.