53RD DUBROVNIK SUMMER FESTIVAL OPENS

DUBROVNIK, July 11 (Hina) - The 53rd Dubrovnik Summer Festival opened on Wednesday evening with the hoisting of the "Libertas" flag on Orlando's pole and the "Hymn to Freedom" by Jakov Gotovac in front of the city's St. Blasius' Church. #L# This important musical and theatre event was opened by Dubrovnik Mayor Dubravka Suica, in the presence of Croatian President Stjepan Mesic and Hungarian President Ferenc Madl. Addressing guests and numerous officials, Mayor Suica said that the city, which saw both ups and downs in its long history, had never lost its privileged position in relation to the surrounding regions, which made it an exceptional meeting point of Western orientations and the reality of the eastern, Balkan hinterland. The city has been a cross-section of Slavic and Romanic components, a place of business endeavours, and a possible spring of Croatian diplomatic and state tradition, she said. The history and the horrors of this city were often repeated, Suica said. In the early nineties, it proved true once again that Dubrovnik's history is inseparable from the Croatian people, and that it is one of the most valuable parts of its culture, she said. The script of this year's opening ceremony was written by the principle of the festival, Ivica Prlender, while Ivica Kuncevic set the stage, with the assistance of conductor Vjekoslav Sutej. A large audience included also Croatian Culture Minister Antun Vujic, county officials, and numerous sponsors. (hina) sp rml