WORLD CONGRESS OF YOUNG ESPERANTISTS OPENED IN RIJEKA

( Editorial: --> 0020 ) RIJEKA, July 27 (Hina) - Croatia is proud to be hosting the 54th World Congress of Young Esperantists because even though it is a young state it has a centuries-old tradition. This was stated by the Croatian National Parliament's House of Counties President Katica Ivanisevic, who opened the event in Rijeka on Sunday night. Ivanisevic said Croatia was happy to welcome a large number of young people from across the world who were joined together by the same international language, Esperanto. "Language is a means of linking, a bridge of hope and (provides) enthusiasm and a need for unity of the spirit and activity," she said. The Congress is being held as part of the "Summer in Rijeka" programme, under the sponsorship of the City of Rijeka, the Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, the University of Rijeka and the Rijeka Tourism Association. More than 400 young Esperantists from 39 countries on six continents are taking part in the Congress. The central theme is "The Media - Creators of Mass Culture" and lectures will be given by 16 Esperanto experts. As well as the working sessions which run until August 1, daily there will also be a rich supplementary programme at the Medicine and Economics Faculties in Rijeka and at the Croatian Cultural Club. The Rijeka Esperanto Society was established back in 1907 and was the first in Croatia, one of the reasons why the northern Adriatic port city is hosting young Esperantists from across the world. (Hina) mbr jn 271216 MET jul 98