Director: Georgi Topuzliiski Location: Hisarya (Wikipedia), Hisarya (Map) Participants are ensembles from: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey and others. The jury of the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2016" uses the ranking system of the European Association of Folklore Festivals – EAFF and the World Association of Folklore Festivals - WAFF. The marks of the ensemble appeared in the competition program are valid for ranking in the World ranking list of folklore. Participants in Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2015" was 204 folklore groups with more then - 3 000 participants. Along with the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2016" is held and World Cup of Folklore - Hisarya 2016, Bulgaria. Participants in the Championship will be able to take part in World Cup of Folklore - Hisarya 2016, Bulgaria against paid participation fee. Organizers: Euro Folk Academy, Municipality of Hissarya and other. Within the framework of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk". Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" comprise of forty-five music festivals and are held under the auspices of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF in different European cities. Main event of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" is № 1 Festival in Europe of traditional folk arts - Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk" in Bulgaria. It is yearly attended by 7 000 to 15 000 musicians, singers and dancers. Typical feature of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" is that all performances are recorded with professional audio and television technics and the best of them are repeatedly broadcasted by more than 50 cable and satellite televisions, as well as by the World Wide Internet Television "EuroFolkTV" at tv.eurofolk.com. Town host - Hissarya, Bulgaria Hisar / Hisarya (the Augusta, Diocletianopolis, Seuthopolis, Aleksiopolis, Toplitsa) has a rich thousand-year history. The favorable climate and mineral waters have attracted people in these places of ancient times. Here is a prehistoric settlement existed even before the V-IV century BC The late Thracian settlement near the mineral springs became part of Odryssae state. Some spas were built medical-religious sanctuaries (nympheum). From this period dates the big Thracian cult facilities near Starosel. After the conquest of the province of Thrace by the Romans in 46, around mineral springs emerged big Roman city. In 293 the Emperor Diocletian gave him the status of the city and since its beginning with massive retaining walls and construction of new urban solutions. In its preservation and originality defense system and the architecture of the Roman town Diocletianopolis ranks among the top in Europe. In many places the fortress wall reaches a height of 11 meters and the southern fortress gate stands 13 meters archaeological studies state that the fortress was reinforced by 44 towers. In the ancient city has had four major gates. Preliminary Program June 02 10.00 a.m.- Welcoming of participants in the Tourist Information Centre in Hissarya June 03 11.00 a.m.- 18.00 p.m. – Competition program. Tours for the free groups. 18.00 p.m.- Defile / Parad of nations 19.00 p.m.– Official opening 21.00 p.m.– End of the competition program June 04 11.00 a.m.– Start of the competition program. Tour for the free groups 21.00 p.m.– End of the competition program June 05 11.00 a.m.– Start of the competition program. Tour for the free groups 21.00 p.m.– End of the competition programs June 06 11.00 a.m.– Concert in diferent near towns. Tour for the free groups June 07 11.00 a.m.– Concert in diferent near towns. Tour for the free groups June 08 11.00 a.m.– Concert in diferent near towns. Tour for the free groups June 09 11.00 a.m.– Start of the competition program. Tour for the free groups 21.00 p.m.– End of the competition program June 10 11.00 a.m.– Start of the competition program. Tour for the free groups 21.00 p.m.– End of the competition program June 11 11.00 a.m.- Start of the competition program. Tours for the free groups 19.00 p.m.– Official closing and announcement of the winners by categories and GRAND PRIX 21.00 p.m.– End of the competition program – Gala – concert of the winners June 12 Departure of the participants. Tours. 12.00 h - Check out of hotels The program of the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2015" can download from HERE The program of the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2014" can download from HERE The program of the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2013" can download from HERE The program of the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2012": can download from HERE Regulations To participate in the contest, the participants need accreditation, which is realized under the following conditions: Groups willing to participate in the Championship complete and sign application forms. Collectives applying for participation must have obtained prestigious awards from other festivals, awards to be mentioned in the application. All participants are to make their own travel arrangements to and from Hisarya, Bulgaria and pay their travel expenses. The Organizing Commitiee provides accomodation and cultural program (excursions) by agreement with the participants. A group delegation can include artists and their accompanying party. The number of artists and accopanying people is not limited. During the participation of the team in the Championship, it may be invited by the organizers to take part in joint events – Official opening, Official closing, defile, accompanying concerts, cocktail, master class, competition for traditional breads or others. The presence of invited teams in various events is required. Regulation's Contest Conetst system includes the following categories: A) Folklore songs groups, authentic folklore (choirs and ensembles) B) Folklore songs groups, modern arrangement of folklore music; - (choirs and ensembles) C) Folklore dances groups, authentic folklore; (folklore dance groups, ensembles) D) Folklore dances groups; modern choreography (folklore dance groups, ensembles) E) Folklore mix ensembles - Authentic performances; (live vocal, instrumental and dance) F) Folklore mix ensembles - Processed performances; (live vocal, instrumental and dance) G) Folklore Instrumental groups; folklore music (ensembles and orchestras) H) Folklore customs groups; replica (folklore groups, ensembles) I ) Group for old urban songs; (groups, ensembles) *i individual performers and duets by all categories exept 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 up 18 years. Formations that can take part in the competition program: folklore ensembles, song and dance groups; choirs; clubs for folk dances; groups for old urban songs; brass bands and folk orchestras; individual performers and duets; The jury evaluates by the following 4 criteria: 1. Complexity of performance /level of complexity of the performance/ 2. Quality of performance /performance technical skills/ 3. Vision /costumes, props, staging/ 4. Stage manners /behavior on stage, gestures, contact with the audience, spirit emanation/ The program duration of the separate groups / participants should not exceed: - Songs - up to 10 minutes - Dances - up to 10 minutes - Ensemble performances – up to 15 minutes The jury is entitled to reduce the overall assessment for non-compliance of regulations. The winner of the Grand Prize of "Euro Folk 2016" - Grand Prix "Orpheus", a Gold medal and a Diploma for Absolute Balkan Champion of folklore for 2016 receives also a cash prize of 1,000 Euro. - The cash prize is provided by the Municipality of Hissarya. At the discretion of the jury Nomination "Orpheus" is awarded, which gives the right for participation in the ranking for the Grand Prix "Orpheus". The champions are awarded gold medals, while second and third place - silver and bronze medals. Winners receive certificates for laureates and a diploma for Balkan champion of folklore for 2016 in the relevant category. In the separate categories may be given additional gold, silver and bronze medals with the relevant diplomas. Jury awards the top performers with a recommendation for participation in European or World Championship of Folklore. All participants receive diplomas and object - prizes. Special Jury Prizes for Authentic costume, Stage costume, Modern processing, Musical accompaniment, Artisticbehavior, Soloist and others. The awards are announced at a ceremony during the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living water". At the discretion of the jury and the producers Euro Folk Academy the prominent art leaders are honored with a Diploma for obtaining the rank Maestro or Maestro Academic. Diplomas are sent to Ministry of Culture of the relevant country or the Mayors of municipalities with a request for handing in appropriate way. The jury consists of three members. In jury committee may participate only members authorized by EAFF. Points valid for World ranking list of folklore. Championship Odds Points for participation Points by Category First round Points by Grand Prix Second round Regional /International/ 3 15 1. 150 2. 75 3. 45 1. 300 2. 150 3. 105 Next - 6т Registration of the Participants Participation fee: (for participants and accompanying persons) 3 HB / 3 Half Board/ - 75 Euro Period 1: 02 - 05 June Period 2: 09 - 12 June 5 HB / 5 Half Board/ - 120 Euro Period 1: 02 - 07 June Period 2: 07 - 12 June 10 HB / 10 Half Board/ - 230 Euro FULL Period 02 - 12 JUne Every 25 participants one is welcome to join in for free. (paying goes in several month payments till departure time) The participation fee includes: Accomodation in 1/3 and 1/4 rooms in 3 *** hotel, Half-board (breakfast and dinner-buffet) Free place on every 25-th member /25 +1/ Free parking Organization expenses First aid and emergency support will be provided Degrees**, Invitation letter*** The participation fee does not include: Supplement for 1/2 room is 5 Euro per person per night, for 1/1 room is 10 Euro per person per night Supplement for 4**** hotel is 5 Euro per person per night Registration fee in contest in second category is 5 euro per person, no more than 150 euro. Transport, insurance... Faclutative tourist program: Facultative tours (tour of Starosel, Plovdiv, Veliko Tarnovo, Sofia) For all participants, the municipality offers free tour of the archaeological reserve Diocletianopolis tour and visit to Thracian cult complex Starosel. Transport from airports: /Plovdiv - 40 km. Sofia, - 180 km., Burgas - 280 km., Varna - 390 km., Istanbul - 450 km./ Transportation /organizer can arrange transportation from/to airport - prisce is depends of nomber of people Horse riding - "Trakietz" Horse sport center Mineral pool beach - open air Mineral heith bath, SPA Accommodation: Hotels: Augusta***, Galery***, SPA Central****, SPA Hissar**** or other 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 start of festival, or on registration with permission of organizers. General Conditions The registration of the participants will be made upon their arrival at the Tourist Information Centre Hissar. The competition program and the concerts shall be held at the Summer Amphitheatre and in "Ivan Vazov" Community center in the town of Hissarya. Unambiguous text: Upon approved participation in the Championship, the collectives or organizations representing them give the Organizer the right performances to be recorded on audio and video, shaped in a program presenting the festival and broadcast on a TV channel or otherwise, for which a contract is signed. All bank charges are for the account of the sending party. Participants do not get paid for their performance. Completed applications for participation will mean acceptance of the conditions laid down in this Regulation.