Director: Mrs. Julia Tomachkova XXV. International Folklore, Dance and Music Festival and Competition "WIENER STERNE / VIENNA STARS" is held in Vienna - the world capital of music, waltz, palaces and parks. The festival is an important event in the cultural life of Vienna and has won recognition from all over the world. More and more participants are attracted and the geography of the participating countries is constantly growing. Famous Austrian cultural and art workers are invited as members of the international jury. The main purpose of the XXV. International Folklore, Dance and Music Festival and Competition "WIENER STERNE / VIENNA STARS" is to bring new interesting young talents of the world together, to present their skills and cultural traditions to the audience and public, 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 art festival "WIENER STERNE / VIENNA STARS" gives an opportunity to perform in the best concert halls of Vienna and to demonstrate creative results to the jury and Viennese audience! The brightest stars of Vienna take part in the GALA CONCERT OF THE VIENNA STARS WINNERS!!! General terms: XXV. International Folklore, Dance and Music Festival and Competition "WIENER STERNE / VIENNA STARS" 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 8 minutes for 1 performance in main competitive discipline DANCE GROUPS - up to 8 minutes / max. 3 dances VOCAL GROUPS / CHORAL FORMATION / CHOIRS - up to 8 minutes ORCHESTRAS / MUSIC BANDS - up to 8 minutes THEATERS - up to 8 minutes for 1 performance in main competitive discipline FASHION THEATERS & MODELS SCHOOLS - up to 8 minutes SMALL FORMS (up to 10 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 Folklore, Dance and Music Festival and Competition "WIENER STERNE / VIENNA STARS" 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 FOR COMPETITIVE AND FESTIVAL PROGRAM MUST BE SENT TO THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE BY EMAIL AT LEAST 14 DAYS BEFORE PARTICIPATION. 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: 1st day, 21.03.2025 Arrival to Vienna, self-transportation to the hotel, check-in at the hotel (after 15:00 p.m.) and accommodation At 21:00 - organizing meeting for art directors, group leaders, teachers and choreographers with the Organizing Committee. Overnight in Vienna. Optional excursion: in the afternoon for organized groups (more than 40 persons) guided walking sightseeing tour "VIENNA CITY TOUR" around the historical center of Vienna with local certified tourist guide: Vienna’s Ringstrasse - city’s boulevard with numerous monumental museums and palaces, Vienna’s Parliament, City Hall (Rathaus), Vienna State Opera, Museum of Fine Arts, National History Museum, Belvedere, Karlskirche (Charles’ Church), Karlsplatz (Charles’ Square), Hofburg and the city centre with Stephansplatz (St. Stephen’s Square) and St. Stephen’s Cathedral (duration - 2,5 hrs / 200 EURO per group). Transportation from hotel to the VIENNA city center and back is not included! 2nd day, 22.03.2025 Beakfast in the hotel. FESTIVAL DAY PROGRAMME: stage testing, sound check, general rehearsal. OPENING CEREMONY, performances of the participants. GALA CONCERT of WINNERS. CEREMONY OF PRIZE GIVING. Transportation services are not included to the price! *On demand it is possible to organize transportation from hotel to Concert Hall and back by contacting and sending official request to the Organizing Committee. Return to the hotel. Overnight in Vienna. 3rd day, 23.03.2025 Breakfast in the hotel. Check out from the hotel. Optional excursion: visit to Schönbrunn Palace - the former summer residence of the Habsburgs with imperial ceremonial rooms and magnificent gardens. Maria Theresa, Emperor Franz Joseph, Empress Sisi and others once resided at Schönbrunn Palace - one of Europe's most beautiful Baroque complexes. Departure of the participants from Vienna. Participation fee: 130 Euro per person for 2 BB (bed and breakfast) in 4* Hotel in Vienna DISCOUNT: every 25th person in the group is free of charge (24 paying participants + 1 free) OBLIGATORY PARTICIPATION FEE FOR MAIN DISCIPLINES: EACH MEMBERS OF ART GROUPS - 15 EURO per participant / main discipline SMALL FORMS (up to 10 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 FOR PARTICIPATION IN ADDITIONAL DISCIPLINES: ART GROUPS pay extra 5 EURO per participant / 1 additional discipline SOLOISTS and DUETS pay extra 20 EURO per participant / 1 additional discipline Participation fee includes: 2 overnights in VIENNA in hotel cat. 4* on basis BB (buffet breakfast) Accommodation in QDRPL rooms, TRPL rooms and DBL room OFFICIAL LETTER OF INVITATION and other documents PERFORMACE IN COMPETITIVE & FESTIVAL PROGRAMME DIPLOMAS, PRIZES MEDALS FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS Participation fee doesn't include: Extra overnight in hotel - 55 EURO per person a night with BB (additional nights could be confirmed only on request and depending on availability of the hotel) Extra payment for accommodation in DBL or TWIN room - 24 EURO per person to Festival price Extra payment for accommodation in SNGL room - 70 EURО per person to Festival price LUNCHES in VIENNA: from 17 EURO per person / 1 lunch DINNERS in VIENNA: from 20 EURO per person / 1 dinner TRAVEL EXPENSES (transportation of participants to / from VIENNA, transfers in VIENNA, travel insurance, entrance visa to AUSTRIA for participants from non-Schengen countries), lunches, entrance tickets to sightseeing objects, tickets to public traffic, optional excursions On demand it is possible to organize Extra Payment Services connected to transportation from Airport to the hotel and back, from Hotel to Concert Hall and back, Meeting at the airport by the Festival Stuff, Changing the offered hotel to higher class or booking additional services by contacting and sending official request to the Organizing Committee. 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.