INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL BEGINS IN SIBENIK

SIBENIK, June 22 (Hina) - The 37th International Children's Festival was opened in the Croatian coastal town of Sibenik on Saturday evening. After the festival's flag was raised at the stage in the downtown Sibenik, County Prefect Ivo Baica addressed the gathering. Opening the festival on behalf of its sponsor, Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic pointed out the importance of the event. "We must not forget that in the recent past the wounded and war- stricken Sibenik gathered strength to maintain the Children's Festival that is a very important and valuable event in the Croatian culture because of children's creative work," Biskupic said. After the ceremonial opening, a play by the director, Slavica Senk, was performed by Pula's 'Zaro' youth group. (hina) mš 220948 MET jun 97