DUSHANBE, March 20, Asia-Plus - Republican theatrical festival formally titled Parastou-2007 will open in Dushanbe on March 23 and run through March 31.

According to the Ministry of Culture (MoC), 16 professional troupes from various regions of Tajikistan will take part in this annual competition-festival.  Five theatres from Sughd, three from Khatlon, one from Gorno Badakhshan and six from Dushanbe are expected to participate in the festival.  

Only performances staged by the theatres over the past two years will participate in the competition. 

The first Tajik musicale titled “Charkh” will also be submitted to the judgment of spectators in the festival.   

The Parastou festival has been held in Tajikistan since 1988.