III - International Children’s & Youth Folk – Dance Festival (23 - 27 May 2012)

Date 23 - 27 May 2012
Location Ohrid, Macedonia
Director Zoran Strezovski
Application Deadline 1 March 2012
Application Form

The intention of our invitation is to invite you to celebrate together the day of St. Cyril & Methodius, 24th of May in Ohrid (city of St. Kliment and St.Naum – best students of St.Cyril & Methodius).  The Festival light motive is to present the cultural tradition of different countries and to provide an opportunity for the members of groups to get together, to establish friendships and culture presentation trough dance and music.

Ohrid  is one of the oldest settlements  in Macedonia. According to famous television game show “who wants to be a millionaire “ in 2007 on British Television, Ohrid is declared as the oldest city in the world, with continuous civilization advancement! Indeed, according to many historians, Lychnidos-the city of light (the ancient name of Ohrid) was build in the 4th century B.C, but humans have lived there for more than 8.000 years. Here in Ohrid, from its beginning until today, life still goes on, without ending. That is why it‘s also called “the kingdom of archaeologists”.

This small city seemed to be irresistible for great ancient rulers and kings, such as the legendary Phoenician prince Cadmus who build it, Fillip 2 of Macedon who once conquered and reconstructed it, Alexander the Great who enjoyed in it, Czar Samuel who ruled from it and many more.

However, Ohrid is the only place in the world where 2 recognized saints actually lived in the same time - St. Clement of Ohrid (840-916) and St.Naum of Ohrid (830-910), putting an extremely strong stamp of their existence.
These 2 exceptional persons, the best students of Cyril and Methodius, were in fact the most educated persons in the world in their time. Among other achievements, they will always be remembered as establishers of the first University in Europe (893), located in Ohrid Old Town, long before the University in Bologna (1088). Besides that, St. Clement and St. Naum of Ohrid were founders of the Cyrillic Alphabet. As a result of their creativity and incredible work, today more then 200 million people still use this alphabet, mostly in Southeast and Eastern Europe.

Ancient ruins, beautiful amphitheatre, 3 citadel walls, St.Sofia Cathedral, St.Jovan Kaneo church, an important pilgrimage place. Breathtaking setting on a plateau over Ohrid Lake and Galicica mountain towering from behind. St.Naum monaster (one of the most beautiful monasteries in Macedonia)  was founded in the 910 by St.Naum, but the present-day church was built in the 16th c. Of the original church just the side chapel with the grave of St.Naum still stands), gallery of exclusive icons, museums, workshops for hand-made paper, woodcarving and famous Ohrid pearls, are among hundreds sites for tourists worth to visit. There is also a strong Roman connection to the city, since Lychnidos was along the famous route Via Egnatia, build in the 2nd century B.C., connecting the Adriatic and Aegean sea. Considering the number of churches located in the Old town  (365 churches according to the immemorial legend, for local people to celebrate every single day by honouring another saint), Ohrid is called “the Balkan Jerusalem”, successfully playing the role as the biggest pilgrimage spot for all the Orthodox Christians in the world.

Today Ohrid is a cultural, spiritual and tourist centre. And finally, as the crowning glory of its values, Ohrid and Lake Ohrid have been named a world cultural and natural heritage listed city under the protection of UNESCO since 1980.

Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s deepest and according to most experts the oldest lake in Europe. The importance of the lake was further emphasized when it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. Feel Ohrid for once in your life and you already know why you will return. For more information visit www.ohridinfo.mk

Festival program will be held on the main square in Ohrid.

Program:

23.05. Wednesday
12.00.Arrivalin Ohrid, , hotel accommodation, starting with lunch, free activities
24.05. Thursday
09.00 -11.00 Breakfast,
11.00 -17.00  Ohrid sightseeing – visiting cultural monuments (Samoil fortress, Antique theatre, Plaosnik, St. Kaneo church …)
18.00. Ensembles parade (old town)
20.00. Official opening of the festival on the main square in Ohrid
25.05 Friday    
11.00 Cruising with boat on Ohrid Lake and visit most famous tourist resort  St.Naum monastery, culture  place, – (price 5 euros per person, lunch packet on the boat) or cruising on the lake ,
21.00. Social events and exchange presents
26.05.Saturday
10.00. Breakfast in hotel and free activities,
20.00 Second festival evening and award at gala evening for all participants
27.05. Sunday  – breakfast and departure of the participants

General rules :

- is a non-competitive sample of traditional and modern dances and music performed by folkloric groups.
- On the festival may participate children and youth folklore dance groups, modern dance groups, vocal groups, instrumental groups and soloists, as well as groups and performers from other art styles. The participants cannot be over 23 years old.
- The number of participants are limited (only 3 folk groups from each country),
- Each group should consist of most 35-40 members including dancers, managers and musicians,
- Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 folk dances, 10-12 minutes each with orchestra or CD. The performances will be in the evening hours so you can plan the day ahead and use it for visiting the historical part of the city and  excursions.
- To get with him a flag of the country,
- Folklore groups should have there own transport for arrival and departure,

Participation fee:

Participation fee is 70 euro per person.
It covers organizational expenses (light and sound equipment, stage…),
accommodation in 3*** hotels which are located on the coast of Ohrid Lake,
in 1/2, 1/3 or 1/4 bedrooms with own toilet and bathrooms,
4 nights with 3 meals per day (Full Board).

Festival organizers provide:

- for 20 dancers – one gratis,
- souvenir for each participants,
- tourist guides for sightseeing of the town,
- reception in city hall,
- advertising of the festival (press conference, radio and tv channels, posters and flayers).
 

INSURANCE:
Personal responsibility and health insurance are within the other obligations of the groups. First Aid and Medical Hospital will be available, medical services must be covered by the group.

On your request,  You can continue your stay in Ohrid. Price will be 20 Euro per day per person FB – price is special for the participants in festivals that we can provide.

Organizers keep the right to change program of the festival. After Groups arrived in Hotel will be given detailed program of the festival and each group will have guide during festival.

After the festival finish organizers will send you DVD from the festival program for each group and photos.The copy right of all video materials and pictures are ownership of the Organization of the Festival.

Confirmation should be send till 01st March 2012 sending participation form

The festival will organize the transport for the groups coming by plane by picking them up from Ohrid airport, during the festival days and back to the same Ohrid airport. The cost of the transportation will be covered by the group and will be additionally agreed according to their number. You can also arrive through Skopje, Tirana or Thessaloniki Airport which are only 200 km from Ohrid. We will also assist you in obtaining visa for Macedonia if necessary.

Any group should confirm by the Form of attendance and after confirmation it should be paid advans of 10% of total sum for garantie and 300 euros for raservation account of organizers until 15 March 2012. The rest of money should be paid after the group arrived in hotel in Ohrid.  In case of cancellation, a vans will be not refund.
 
By applying you confirm that you accept all festival conditions. All information about invoice will be supply after your confirmation for participations.
In 2011 on this Festival participated over 600 children from the countries of South – East and central Europe.

Organizers: Culture association Models & Youth Culture centre Ohrid in cooperation with: National institution Centre of Culture ”G.Prlicev”  – Ohrid

Organization Council:
Zoran Strezovski, President
Julija Trpovska, director of MKC,
Anica Ivanovska, director of Models