WIPO Hosts Exhibition of Traditional Costumes and Music from South Eastern Europe

Geneva, September 23, 2003
Press Releases PR/2003/356

An exhibition of traditional costumes and music from Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary and Romania, providing an insight into the rich culture and traditions of these six nations, opened to the public today at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva.

WIPO Director General Dr. Kamil Idris said "the diversity of the costumes on display illustrates the power of human creativity to enrich our cultural identity, our surroundings, and to make our lives more interesting and enjoyable." Dr. Idris said WIPO and its member states are actively encouraging a broader understanding and appreciation of the value of creativity and innovation as natural resources that are common to all nations.

Through an efficient and equitable intellectual property system, these resources can be developed into important assets for economic, social and cultural development. WIPO is exploring how the intellectual property system may relate to traditional knowledge and expressions of folklore, such as those presented in the exhibition.

The exhibition also features musical elements from Hungary and Croatia - including selections from the works of Béla Bartók, whose music was profoundly influenced by the folk music, dance rhythms, and other traditions of his native Hungary and beyond. The folk elements and tradition present in his music are as numerous and varied as those visible in the costumes.

The exhibition is at the WIPO Information Center and will run until October 3, 2003.

For further information please contact the Media Relations and Public Affairs Section Section at:

• Tel: (+41 22) - 338 81 61 or 338 95 47
• Fax: (+41 22) - 338 88 10
• Email: publicinf@wipo.int.