PERFORMANCE FOR 700TH ANNIVERSARY OF OTTOMAN EMPIRE ON WEDN

ZAGREB, May 10 (Hina) - A group of Turkish artists called Turquie la Belle will give a special performance in Zagreb on May 12 to celebrate the 700th anniversary of the establishment of the Ottoman Empire. According to Turkey's Ambassador to Croatia Selahattin Alpar, the Zagreb performance is the beginning of celebrations marking the jubilee in this region. The performance will be held under the auspices of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman and will be opened by Croatian Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic. Turquie la Belle will stage a fashion show of hand-made clothes which reflect the art, culture, and fashion of the Ottoman Empire, adapted to the 20th century, concerts of selected pieces of Turkish classical and folk music, a ballet, and folklore dances. As part the jubilee celebrations, Turkey will be Croatia's partner- country at the Zagreb Trade Fair in September. An exhibition called "Valuables From the Ottoman Empire" will be staged at Klovicevi Dvori in Zagreb as of September 13. It will be the second time the exhibition is staged outside Turkey, Alpar said. The exhibition will display 175 exhibits from the Topkapi Palace Museum which present unique pieces from the Ottoman Period. (hina) ha jn