DUBROVNIK AND SPLIT CONTINUE CULTURAL TRADITION

ZAGREB, 10 Aug (Hina) - The two most famous Dalmatian cities, the ancient Dubrovnik and Split continue the cultural tradition of Dubrovnik Summer Festival and Split Summer. The program of this year's Dubrovnik Summer Festival includes 70 drama and musical performances with 1,100 artists from 17 countries. The plays include the regular performance of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'. One of the premieres at the festival will be an adaptation of Molliere's 'Citizen-Nobleman' and a play by the Renaissance Dubrovnik comedist Marin Drzic, entitled 'A Gathering'. Gidon Kremer, Emma Kirkby and Peter Donohoe will participate in the musical part of the festival. Dubrovnik Summer Festival is traditionally held between 10 July and 26 August. Commenting on the first half of this year's event, the Festival directors Frano Matusic and Valter Despalj said that the 48th festival season had exceeded all expectations, adding that a festival atmosphere has returned to Dubrovnik. Performances presented in the first 20 days were seen by 12,500 visitors, while last year's festival was seen by 15,000 visitors. Split Summer began on 14 July, with a new performance of 'Aida'. This summer's festival, which lasts a month, includes a total of 68 opera, ballet and drama performances. The famous Spanish tenor Placido Domingo is to hold a concert in Split on 12 August. At the concert, which is to be held under the auspices of the Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, Domingo will sing with the Croatian bass Boris Martinovic and the Bulgarian soprano Svjetlana Vassileva. Domingo and Martinovic will sing together several traditional Dalmatian songs. The concert, which is a significant contribution to the 1700th anniversary of Split, attracts great attention. The tickets are sold out, but those who could not buy them will be able to follow the concert on video screens which are to be set up on the Split promenade as well as on television. The costs of the concert (some 300,000 German marks) will be covered by the sponsors, sold tickets and marketing. The expected income of about 80,000 German marks is intended for the Split Clinic Centre. (hina) rm jn 101607 MET aug 97