Director: Kaloyan Nikolov The forum will be held in compliance with all precautionary measures in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Health. Location: Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria (Wikipedia) LIVE TV broadcast on the Internet of all concerts on the website of "EuroFolkTV" - tv.eurofolk.com. Organizers: European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF Euro Folk Academy Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo and other Within the framework of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk". Main event of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" is No 1 Festival in Europe for the traditional folklore arts – Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk" in Bulgaria. Every year from 7 000 to 15 000 musicians, singers and dancers take part in it. Participants in Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk" have the right to take part in the National Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk 2023" and the World Cup of Folklore, Bulgaria. All performances are recorded with professional audio and TV equipment and the best of them are repeatedly broadcasted by more than 20 cable and satellite televisions, as well as by the Television "EuroFolkTV", specialized in the broadcasting of folklore content. All of these activities realize the main purpose of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF to promote traditional folklore arts through the enormous possibilities of massmedia. Maintaining the diversity of the main traditional values and identity of different nationalities, guarantees the evolution of humanity. Town host - Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria Veliko Tarnovo (in Bulgarian: Велико Търново) is a town in the north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province. Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old town is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora raising amidst the meanders of the Yantra river. Tsarevets housed the palaces of the Bulgarian Emperors and the Patriarchate with the Patriarchal Cathedral, as well as a number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick walls. Trapezitsa was known for its many churches and as the main residence of the nobility. In the Middle Ages it was among the main European centres of culture and gave its name to the architecture of the Tarnovo Artistic School, painting of the Tarnovo Artistic School and literature. Preliminary Program: 12th May 2023 - Concert program - 14:00 - 22:00 13th May 2023 - Concert program - 14:00 - 22:00 14th May 2023 - Concert program - 14:00 - 22:00 Regulations: Main task of the organizers is to ensure the creative groups an access to the stage, to gather them in a competition program aimed at defining the best ones and to popularize the award winners of the Championship by broadcasting their art in Bulgarian and the European TV air. National Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk 2023" is organized by EAFF and other organizations within the scope of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" – The World is Television. International participants can participate only if they present Bulgarian folklore according to the categories. To enter the contest the participants must be accredited, which is realized under the following conditions: Contest system includes the following categories: A) Groups for folklore songs, authentic folklore; (choirs and choirs with accompaniment) B) Groups for folklore songs, modern arrangement of folklore music; (choirs and choirs with accompaniment) C) Folklore dance groups, authentic folklore; (folklore dance groups, ensembles) D) Folklore dance groups, modern choreography; (folklore dance groups, ensembles) E) Folklore ensembles (mixed), authentic folklore; (live vocals, instrumentals and dances) F) Folklore ensembles (mixed), processed performances; (live vocal, instrumental and dance) G) Folklore and Classical instrumental groups; (ensembles, orchestras) H) Folklore groups for recreating customs - replicas; (folklore groups, ensembles) I) Groups for old urban songs or Classical music. (groups, ensembles) *i individual performers and duets by all categories except E,F,H; *1 by all categories there is also ranking of children and young people up to 18 years. /in children's and youth groups can participate up to 30% of participants from different age / *2 by all categories there is ranking adults people over 18 years. During the National Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk 2023" studio audio recordings and filming of professional video clips of the participants' program will be done free of charge of those performances awarded by the jury or with payment. The jury evaluates by the following 3 criteria: 1. Level of complexity and technique of performance 2. Appearance (costumes, properties, staging, selection of repertoire) 3. Stage manners (behavior on stage, gestures, contact with the audience, spirit emanation, artistry) The duration of the program should not exceed 10 minutes. It is desirable by post or e-mail, to the address of EAFF, to send the last released album of the participant (the group) or demo records of not less than two performances. It is desirable that the application form has an added annotation about the participant and advertising materials – photos. Sent material are not a subject of return. During the participation of the group in the championship the organizer could invite it to take part in general events such as Official Opening, Official Closing, cocktail party and others. Awards: The big award of the Championship "Euro Folk 2023" is Grand Prix Golden "Orpheus" and a diploma for the Absolute National Championship of Folklore of Bulgaria. The Winner of Grand Prix Golden "Orpheus" takes also a money prize of 500 Euro. Winners of first awards in the relevant categories get also diplomas of the National Championship of Folklore for the relevant category. The champions obtain golden medals, winners of second and third place get silver and bronze medals. At jury’s decision in the categories could be given additional golden, silver and bronze medals with the relevant diplomas. The jury awards the best performances with a free of charge shooting and producing of a free video clip. All the participants are granted with diplomas for laureates, certificates and gifts. Awards are granted on a ceremony. In jury’s opinion and the producers from Euro Folk Academy the best performers and artistic directors shall be honoured with a Diploma for obtaining the rank Maestro or Maestro Academician. Diplomas are sent to the relevant municipalities with request for a solemn awarding. All award winners get a free of charge copy of the TV product, which consists of their performances, and has been broadcasted in Bulgaria or in Europe. The participants can order full recordings of their performances, including video clips, CD and DVD with additional payment. These products have the right to be broadcasted in the relevant country. The jury consists of 3 people. Championship categories are consistent with the categories of the World ranking list of folklore. Collected points standings with odds for a National Championship. Points valid for World ranking list of folklore: Championship Odds Points for participation Items by Category First Round Second round - Race Grand Prix National 2 10 1. 100 2. 50 3. 30 1. 200 2. 100 3. 70 Next - 4 Unambiguous text: The collectives or presenting organizations, if approved by the jury to participate in the Championship, give the organizers the right to be recorded on video and audio, arranged in a program, presenting the fest and broadcasted by a TV channel or in some other way, for which a contract agreement will be signed. Unambiguous text: Teams from another country can not participate in the second round, unless they compete and perform Bulgarian folklore. Participation fee: (for participants and accompanying persons) Period 1: 12 - 15 May - 3 HB (3 nights on Half Board) Economy 2*/3* - 3 HB - 117 Euro Standard 3* - 3 HB - 144 Euro Period 2: 11 - 15 May - 4 HB (4 nights on Half Board) Economy 2*/3* - 4 HB - 156 Euro Standard 3* - 4 HB - 192 Euro Every 25 participants one is welcome to join in for free (25+1). (paying goes in several month payments till departure time) Accommodation: Accomodation is in triple and quadruple rooms. Supplement for double room is 7 Euro per person per night. Supplement for single room is 21 Euro per person per night. Participation fee includes: Accommodation in triple and quadruple rooms, 3 or 4 nights on half board (breakfast and dinner), (supplement for lunch 8-12 Euro) Organization expenses Free place on every 26th member (25+1) Degrees* Invitation letter** Participation fee does not include: Additional day in some of the hotels costs from 39/48 Euro per person. Additional payment for Luxory Hotel 4**** - Standart + 12 Euro per person per day. Facultative tours*** (Veliko Tarnovo, Sofia, Kazanlak, Gabrovo, Shipka, Russe, Bucharest). Transport, parking, health insurance. Transport from airports (Sofia - 220 km., Burgas - 220 km., Varna - 220 km., Bucharest - 210 km., Istanbul - 490 km.), from railway station in Gorna Oryahovitsa - 11 km. Participation fee for second category - 8 Euro per person, not more than 180 Euro. Participation fee from individual participation up to trio - 30 Euro. General Conditions: Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form. Approved groups pay in advance a 10% guarantee fee, which is to be deducted at the final payment. Next stage payment 20% for booking of accomodation. Rest of payment 70% - 15 days before the beginning of the festival or upon arrival with permission of organizers. The sender covers all bank fees. All filled in and signed applications will mean acceptance of the terms laid by the present regulation. Info tour: "Sound and lights" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBml0NGJt1c The Sound and Light Show is a unique attraction in Europe. Shows of its kind can only be seen in few other countries in the world. Through of music and spectacular illumination, this programme recreates the history of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 – 1393), the fall under the Turkish and the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878. The music was composed especially for the show, which was first displayed in 1985 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Asen and Peter’s uprising. The best place to watch the show is Tsar Ivan Asen square located right in front of Tsarevets. Museum of "Wax" figures in Veliko Tarnovo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-LyaNSWfdc Top Things See & Do in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcw_z3rBo5w Spirit of Veliko Tarnovo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-zvUh_Hbis * Certificates of participation will be given. ** Invitation letter will be provided if needed. *** Optional Tours - excursions (Veliko Tarnovo, Sofia, Kazanlak, Gabrovo, Shipka, Russe, Bucharest). Seasonal prices vary according to the number of participants. **** The final program of the festival could be changed by the organizers if needed.