INTERNATIONAL PUPPET FESTIVAL TO TAKE PLACE IN ZAGREB

( Editorial: --> 5020 ) ZAGREB, Aug 23 (Hina) - Twenty theatres from 11 countries will hold a total of 24 shows during the International Puppet Festival (PIF) taking place in Zagreb from August 28 to September 4. The shows, 18 of which are in competition for prises, will take place on two locations in the city. The central theme of this year's, 31st PIF is the Israeli puppet theatre, particularly the school of visual theatre from Jerusalem. The shows can be seen in Zagreb's Puppet Theatre, the Zagreb Youth Theatre, Klovic Courts - the Fortezza Gallery, the main city square and the city theatre "Komedija" in which the festival opens. Two panels of judges will sit at the shows, the international panel of judges which will present the main festival prise for the best show (Grand Prix 'Milan Cecuk'), a diploma and sculpture of Croatia's artist Zvonko Loncaric. The judges will also present awards for the best set design, puppet creations, puppet technology, animation, music and direction, as well as the "Tibor Sekelj" award for the show conveying the most humane message. The children's panel of judges will award the "Vrtuljak" (Merry-go- Round) prise to the show they judge as best. The PIF will also be accompanied with a number of events - the exhibition of puppets by Vesna Balabanic and Gordana Krebelj, various street programmes and talks on the Israeli school of visual theatre. The PIF is the oldest international Zagreb festival. It took place for the first time in 1968 and was organised by Esperantists, calling it the Pupteatra Internacia Festivalo. (hina) lml 231106 MET aug 98