V International Folk festival “Ohrid Lake” (28 June - 02 July 2012)

Date 28 June - 2 July 2012
Location Ohrid, Macedonia
Director Zoran Strezovski
Application Deadline 15 March 2012
Application Form
“OHRID LAKE” folk festival is famous folk festival in Ohrid region.
Organizers of the festival are:
Association of culture and art “Models”,
Youth culture center in cooperation with
National Institution Center for culture “G.Prlicev” from Ohrid.

With pleasure we INVITE you to participate on V International Folk festival “Ohrid Lake” which will be held on 28 June - 02 July 2012

Ohrid today is a cultural, spiritual and tourist centre. It is the famous tourist place in Macedonia but also in the region. During this period there are a lot of tourists from Holland, Finland, Poland, Sweden, Germany, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Turkey …Due to exceptional beauty Ohrid is protected in this period is the best tourist resort in Macedonia. It is the famous tourist place in the region with a lot of hotels, apartments, a lot of traditional restaurants and café, shops, entertainment. Ohrid during the summer period lives 24 hours.

Ohrid lake coast is 35km with beautifully sands beach, tourist attractions and entertainment. Temperature of the water in the lake is 25C degree and it is suitable for swimming, diving, yachting ….. 

Also 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”.

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, St.Naum monaster (one of the most beautiful monasteries in Macedonia and an important pilgrimage place. Breathtaking setting on a plateau over Ohrid Lake and Galicica mountain towering from behind. It 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.

More information on www.ohridinfo.mk

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

Program:

28.06. Thursday
Arrivalin Ohrid after 12.00, hotel accommodation, free activities (swimming in Ohrid Lake)
29.06. Friday
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
30.06 Saturday   
11.00 Cruising with boat on Ohrid Lake and visit most famous tourist resort  St.Naum-culture  place, also swimming in most popular beach  – (price 6 euros per person),
21.00.Social events and exchange presents
01.07. Sunday
10.00. Breakfast in hotel and free activities (sunbathing),
20.00 Second festival evening and award at gala evening for all participants
02.07. Monday– departure of the participants

Participating conditions are:

- The number of participants are limited (only 2 folk groups from each country),
- Each group should consist of most 35-40 members including dancers, managers and musicians - Age of the participants are not limited,
- Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 folk dances, 10-15 minutes each with orchestra or CD,
- To bring a flag of the country,
- Folklore groups should have there own transport for arrival and departure,

Participation fee:

Participation fee is 74 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,
4 nights with 3 meals per day (Full Board).                                            

Festival organizers provide:

- for 25 dancers/participants – one gratis,
- rewards for the winners of the festival in value of 300 euro
(during the festival program audience will vote on vote papers for the best performance on the festival),
- 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 22 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.

Confirmation should be send till 15 March 2012 sending participation form.

Any group should be paid advans of 10% of total sum for garntie and 300 euros for reservation on account of organizers until 30 March 2012. The rest of money should be paid after the group arrived in hotel in Ohrid.  In case of cancellation, advans will be not refund.

All information about invoice will be supply after your confirmation for participations.