INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF THEATRE CRITICS BEGINS IN ZAGREB

ZAGREB, March 20 (Hina) - Some 15 theatrologists and critics from the country and abroad are participating at an international theatre critics forum which opened in Zagreb's ITD Theatre on Monday. Theatrologists and critics from Portugal, Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Great Britain, Ukraine, Belgium, Poland, United States, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia will discuss theatre reviews in the new millennium until March 25. On occasion of World Theatre Day on March 27, the forum was organised by the Croatian Centre of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) - UNESCO. Centre president Sanja Nikcevic said the symposium will be held during the morning hours and will be open for the public, while in the afternoon closed meetings will take place for young theatre critics. The theatre brings not only artistic, but also political changes, it calls on people to create together, ITI secretary-general Andre Louis Perinetti said. The ITI is dedicated to promoting the diversity of cultures, which is reflected by the number and diversity of participants of the forum organised by the Croatian branch of the ITI, which, Perinetti stressed, has only after being active for several years, become one of ITI's most important centres in the world. Opening the forum, Assistant Culture Minister Naima Bagic said theatre review was important when it is positive in the marketing sense, and is a reason for the public's visits to the theatre, but even when it is bad it is stimulating because artists can adjust their work. Lectures will focus on the effects of critiques on changes in the theatre and vice-versa, ethics of theatre critique, the effect of ideology on reviews, relation towards the public and reviews in certain countries. The forum will be supplemented by Croatian plays and magazines and books on theatre will be presented. (hina) lml