VARAZDIN TO HOST EUROPEAN ORGANISTS AT CONGRESS NEXT YEAR

VARAZDIN, April 5 (Hina) - European organists will gather in the northern Croatian town of Varazdin next year at a congress called "The Organ As the Cultural Treasure of Europe". The congress is scheduled for 12-18 September 2000, announced a German professor, Christoph Bossert, who teaches at the musical academy in Trossinger. Eminent organists from Europe are willing to come and take part in the Varazdin event next year, at the invitation of this professor. During a recent press conference held in Varazdin, Bossert stressed that the organ was a part of the Continent's cultural identity and therefore the responsibility lies with the whole of Europe for preserving its cultural heritage. He added that Germany had no longer such old organs as were these kept in Varazdin and its surroundings or in some other post- communist countries. He explained that by the fact that former Communist countries had not ensured money for buying new organs and replacing the old ones. In this way old organs were preserved in those states and in the meantime a movement appeared to find and restore those old musical instruments. Varazdin has been selected as the venue for the organists' congress thanks to its cultural tradition. At the press conference it was mentioned that Varazdin and nearby towns - Lepoglava, Novi Bukovac and Varazdinske Toplice - had other old and interesting musical instruments produced by Italian and Austrian skilled masters. (hina) ms