Director: Mrs. Julia Tomachkova 29th International Competition & Festival of Folklore, Dance and Music ‘’ETOILES DE PARIS" is a prestigious cultural event held in Paris – the world capital of fashion with irresistible charm and elegance. Bright, beautiful, sensual, magical, inspirational, unforgettable – it’s all about Paris. Famous French cultural and art workers are invited as members of the international jury. The main purpose of the 29th International Competition & Festival of Folklore, Dance and Music ‘’ETOILES DE PARIS" is to search for new talented performers, to present their skills and multicultural traditions to the audience and public of Paris, to make new friends with the same interests, to enrich of the multinational culture on the basis of mutual respect for the cultural traditions of all the countries and nations of the world, to popularize the children’s and youth creative work, to improve professional skills and qualifications of teachers and art leaders. Participation in the 29th International Competition & Festival of Folklore, Dance and Music ‘’ETOILES DE PARIS" is a unique chance to perform in the best concert halls of Paris before the international jury and to demonstrate creative results to the Parisian audience! The brightest stars take part in the Gala Concerts of the winners. General information, performance time limits and technical requirements: 29th International Competition & Festival of Folklore, Dance and Music ‘’ETOILES DE PARIS" is determined for soloists, ensembles and groups of young performers from different countries of the world. The competitive program of the participants is approved by the Organizing Committee on the basis of applications received. The schedule of the competitive programme for all participants is determined in advance and depends on the age of the participants. All participants should prepare a competitive program within the time limits specified for each competitive discipline: FOLKLORE GROUPS – up to 10 minutes for 1 performance in main competitive discipline DANCE GROUPS – up to 9 minutes / max. 3 dances VOCAL GROUPS / CHORAL FORMATION / CHOIRS – up to 9 minutes ORCHESTRAS / MUSIC BANDS – up to 9 minutes THEATERS – up to 10 minutes for 1 performance in main competitive discipline FASHION THEATERS & MODELS SCHOOLS – up to 10 minutes SMALL FORMS (up to 7 performers) – up to 7 minutes TRIOS & QUARTETS – up to 5 minutes in main competitive discipline SOLOISTS & DUETS – up to 5 minutes in main competitive discipline Participants of the International Competition & Festival of Folklore, Dance and Music ‘’ETOILES DE PARIS" are divided in the following age categories: MINI KIDS – from 6 to 8 years CHILDREN – from 9 to 12 years JUNIORS 1 – from 13 to 15 years, JUNIORS 2 – from 16 to 18 years, ADULTS 1 – from 19 years to 25 years, ADULTS 2 – from 26 years and older, SENIORS – from 50 years and older. MIXED AGE GROUPS The jury evaluates the skills of the participants during the competitive performance in each competitive discipline and in each age category in accordance with the 10-points evaluation systems. Results of the art competition and festival are being summed up by the end of all competitive performances. Awards: The Organizing Committee awards diplomas of participation, diplomas of Laureate of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades, Winner of the Grand Prix and festival medals to all participants. Ensembles and groups of 3 or more persons receive one big cup or trophy of the festival and Diploma, soloists and duets receive one small cup or trophy of the festival and Diploma. The absolute Winner of the festival receives the Grand Prix of the festival and Diploma Grand Prix. All teachers, choreographers, group and ensemble leaders also receive the Diplomas of Festival. Technical requirements: All audio sound records must be sent to the Organizing Committee BY EMAIL at least 14 days before arrival and must contain the name of participant in Latin characters, title of the composition and time limit. All audio sound records for the competitive program must be recorded only in the usual audio format. All audio sound records must be of high quality, with clean editing and cuts. The participants must inform the Organizer if the music stops and starts again after pause or contains silence within the musical composition. Program of the festival: 1st day, 09.05.2024 Arrival to Paris (France), self-transportation to the hotel. At 15:00 pm – check-in at the reception of hotel and accommodation. IMPORTANT NOTICE: All participants are being accommodated in hotels like IBIS Budget, IBIS Rouge, IBIS Styles, CAMPANILLE and B&B which are situated in nearest suburbs of Paris. Free time in Paris. Overnight in Paris. 1. Optional tour (possible every day of stay on request): WONDERFUL BOAT CRUISE with audio-guide ALONG THE SEINE RIVER (10 EURO per person). Transportation services are not included into the price! 2. Optional excursion (on request at least 7 days before arrival): MUSEUM OF PARFUMES “FRAGONARD” where you can discover a wonderful collection of perfumery objects from the 19th century till nowadays (FREE ADMISSION to the MUSEUM for ordered groups) Transportation services are not included into the price! 3. Optional 2,5 hours walking SIGHTSEEING TOUR (on request at least 14 days before arrival): PARIS CITY TOUR around Place de l’Opéra, Champs-Elysées, Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre-Dame Cathedral whose sculptures and stained-glass windows are one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, Saint-Germain-des-Prés (appr. 200 EUR per group) Transportation services & entrance tickets to sightseeing objects are not included into the price! 2nd day, 10.05.2024 Breakfast in the hotel. *FESTIVAL DAY PROGRAMME: stage testing, sound check, general rehearsal. OPENING CEREMONY in the THEATER OF PARIS, performances of the participants. CLOSING CEREMONY, GALA CONCERT of WINNERS. Transportation services are not included into the festival tour price! Return to the hotel. Overnight in PARIS 3rd day, 11.05.2024 Breakfast in the hotel. Free day in Paris. Overnight in PARIS. Optional excursion 1: a whole day trip to DISNEYLAND - a world famous amusement park, located near PARIS. Discover the unforgettable attractions, entertainment and celebrate the magic with Disney characters!!! Tickets for DISNEYLAND PARK for very attractive prices are available at the Organizing Committee. Transportation services are not included to the price! Optional excursion 2: a half-day trip to VERSAILLES PALACE and its splendid gardens (entrance tickets for ADULTS are for extra payment, FREE ADMISSION to the permanent collections of the Palace plus the audio guides is free for children under-18s, young people under 26 years old who are residents of the European Union, disabled persons and their accompanying adult). Transportation services are not included to the price! 4th day, 12.05.2024 Breakfast. Check out from the hotel. Departure from PARIS Participation fee: 175 Euro per person - 3 BB in 3*** Hotel DISCOUNTS: every 25th person in the group is free of charge (24 paying participants + 1 free) OBLIGATORY PARTICIPATION FEE: MEMBERS OF ART GROUPS – 15 EURO per participant / main discipline SMALL FORMS (up to 7 performers) – 20 EURO per participant / main discipline TRIOS and QUARTETS – 30 EURO per participant / main discipline SOLOISTS and DUETS – 50 EURO per person / main discipline VISUAL ARTS participants – 10 EURO per participant Participation fee includes: 3 overnights in hotel in the nearest suburbs of PARIS All participants are being accommodated in hotels like IBIS Budget, IBIS Rouge, IBIS Styles, CAMPANILLE and B&B which are situated in nearest suburbs of Paris. Accommodation in TRPL and DBL/TWIN for group leaders, drivers and teachers Meals: BREAKFAST BOARD (3x buffet breakfast) OFFICIAL LETTER OF INVITATION and other documents PERFORMACE IN COMPETITIVE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME DIPLOMAS, PRIZES and MEDALS Additional payments: CITY TAX in the amount from 1,50 Euro to 2,80 Euro per night depending on the district of hotel’s location is paid separately upon arrival Extra nights in hotel on BB: 55 EUR per person a night (only on request and depending on availability of hotel) Extra payment for SNGL accommodation: +120 EUR per person to Festival price LUNCHES in PARIS: 15-18 EURO per person / 1 lunch TRANSFERS IN PARIS: from hotel to Concert Hall and back, from Airport to hotel and back TRANSPORTATION SERVICES in PARIS Travel expenses (COVID-19 requirements such as vaccination card, PCR-tests and others, transportation of participants to / from Paris, travel insurance, entrance visa to France for participants from non-Schengen countries), transfers in Paris and France, bus parking, lunches and dinners, entrance tickets to sightseeing objects, tickets to public traffic, optional excursions The organizing Committee could help with making reservations of tickets for DISNEYLAND, EIFFEL TOWER, MUSEUM OF LOUVRE if all COVID requirements are fulfilled, transportation services and other services on demand 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.