Lidia Markovic, a professional beauty expert from Montenegro, claimed victory in a local long-duration lying competition held in Nikšić, Montenegro. The event drew attention when reports emerged from Prva Srpska Televizija confirming her win after an extended period of stationary rest that stretched to fifty days.
Contest rules allowed participants to do anything they wished as long as they remained lying down. Competitors were granted three 15-minute breaks each day to tend to personal needs. Markovic noted that during these intervals she washed her hair, took a brief shower, and even went for short runs to stay refreshed. Filip Knezevic, another contestant from Montenegro, advanced to the final round and reportedly chose to concede the victory in favor of the eventual winner. The prize money for the event reached €1,000, a sum equivalent to roughly 105,000 rubles at the time of reporting.
A century-long practice of the competition has seen varying prize amounts. In 2021, the total prize stood at €300, with participants required to lie upon blankets simultaneously and remain motionless for the duration of the challenge. The event has roots in Montenegrin city life and has featured multiple contenders from Nikšić, Podgorica, and other towns over the years, all sharing the goal of maintaining a single, unwavering position for as long as possible.
Historical records show that in 2018 residents from Nikšić including Milos Radulovic and Angela Dendic, along with residents from Podgorica and Tivat such as Milka Doderovic and Dijana from Tivat, joined the competition and collectively earned the title of the main lazy participants after collectively lying down for an extended period of time. This echoes the locale origins of Lidija Marković, who is also a native of Nikšić.
In popular culture, public figures and commentators have occasionally referenced the competition in the context of broader philosophical discussions about leisure, motivation, and personal limits. One notable moment involved Lolita Milyavskaya playfully remarking on Victoria Boni’s approach to philosophy, illustrating how these topics can cross over into lighthearted, cultural commentary. The ongoing interest in the event underscores a broader curiosity about human endurance and the quirky ways communities celebrate unconventional challenges .