'SPLIT SUMMER' FESTIVAL CLOSES

SPLIT, Aug 14 (Hina) - This year's 46th annual theatrical performance festival Split Summer ended on Monday evening with the presentation of awards. Some 80 plays, musical, and ballet performances were performed between July 14 and August 14 in squares within the walls of Split's Diocletian Palace, the southern Croatian town's ancient part, in the streets, and at its Croatian National Theatre. The Judita award for best performance was presented to composer Frano Parac for his opera "Judita", which opened the Split Summer. This opera, based on Split-born poet Marko Marulic's 500-year-old eponymous canto, was directed by Niksa Bareza. Lighting designer Zoran Mihanovic was presented with another Judita award for his work in a performance of the Antigone. The Peristil award, introduced this year for young artists, was presented to Filip Sovagovic for writing the play "Pticice" (Little Birds), and to Frane Parac, who composed "Judita". The Vienna Boys and the Cosmic Voices of Bulgari were the most exciting performers in the Split Summer's musical section, which also featured a jazz festival, a concert by Macedonia's Philharmonic, Guitar Days, and Neapolitan Song Days. Each year, the festival features Verdi's "Aida", this year entirely performed in its original score. (hina) ha