51ST DUBROVNIK SUMMER FESTIVAL OPENED

DUBROVNIK, July 11 (Hina) - The 51st Dubrovnik Summer Festival, Croatia's most famous music and drama event, was opened on Monday evening in front of Dubrovnik's St. Vlaho's (St. Blaise) Church under the auspices and in the presence of Croatian President Stipe Mesic. Present at the opening ceremony were also the Czech and Slovene presidents, Vaclav Havel and Milan Kucan. #L# At the beginning of the ceremony, the Croatian national anthem was sounded and the gathered were welcomed by Dubrovnik Mayor Vido Bogdanovic, who especially greeted the three high guests. The ceremonial opening consisted of three parts, the first one being a music play, directed by Ivica Boban. Like every year, the Libertas flag was hoisted on the Orlando column to the sounds of Gotovac's Freedom Hymn and church bells, after which the actors were handed the keys to the City and a small firework display took place. Participating in the opening ceremony were actors and ballet dancers, musicians and folklore artists. The first part of ceremony was followed by street theatre, with drums and jugglers. The third part consisted of a symbolic theatre act in which a ship carrying actors in 'Dundo Maroje' play sailed out for Ancona. The premiere of the play, directed by Ivica Kuncevic, is expected on August 14. Attending last night's ceremony were high government officials, Hungarian Culture Minister Zoltan Rokenbauer, the festival's head Slobodan Prosperov Novak, diplomats accredited in Croatia and several thousand citizens. (hina) rml