Директор: Mrs Julia Tomachkova "MAGIC BRIDGES OF BUDAPEST" is a prestigious cultural event taking place in the magical and Romanian European capital of Hungary – Budapest, the "Queen of the Danube". It is renowned for its stunning architecture—spanning Gothic to Art Nouveau—thermal spas, rich nightlife, and a unique, slightly gritty charm that blends East and West. The main message of the VIII. International Competition and Festival of Folklore, Dance and Music "MAGIC BRDGES OF BUDAEST" is the search for new talents, establishment of international friendly and creative contacts, enrichment of the multinational culture on the basis of mutual respect for the cultural traditions of all the countries and nations of the world, popularization the children’s and youth creative work, sharing experiences and creative achievements of participants from different countries, improvement of professional skills and qualifications of teachers and leaders. Participation in the art festival "MAGIC BRIDGES OF BUDAPEST" gives an opportunity to perform in Budapest and to demonstrate creative results to the audience in Hungary! The brightest stars take part in the GALA CONCERT OF THE WINNERS!!! Participants: VIII. International Folklore, Dance and Music Festival and Competition “MAGIC BRIDGES OF BUDAPEST” 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. Time limits: 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 4 minutes in main competitive discipline 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 Jury: 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. Main 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, 27.04.2026 Arrival to Budapest, check-in at the hotel (after 15:00 p.m.) and accommodation. In the evening: Organizing meeting for art directors, group leaders, teachers and choreographers with the Organizing Committee. Overnight in Budapest. Optional excursion 1: Sightseeing tour around HISTORICAL CENTER OF BUDAPEST Optional excursion 2: Evening Boat Cruise on the Danube River Optional excursion 3: Visit to thermal baths SZECHENYI - the biggest and most popular of all the thermal baths in Budapest 2nd day, 28.04.2026 Breakfast at the hotel. FESTIVAL DAY PROGRAMME according competitive disciplines: stage testing, sound check, general rehearsal. OPENING CEREMONY, performances of the participants. GALA CONCERT of WINNERS and AWARD CEREMONY Return to the hotel. Overnight in Budapest. **Transportation services from hotel to CONCERT HALL and back 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. 3rd day, 29.04.2026 Breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel. Departure of the participants from Budapest. Participation fee: 90 Euro per person 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 10 performers) – 20 EURO per participant / main discipline TRIOS and QUARTETS – 30 EURO per participant / main discipline SOLOISTS and DUETS – 55 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 BUDAPEST in hotel cat. 3* on BB Accommodation in TRPL and QDRPL rooms for participants. We give 1 DBL/TWIN for group leaders (groups less than 40 persons) and 2 DBL (group more than 40 persons) More Double rooms are possible for Extra SUPPLEMENT / See Additional Payment Meals: BREAKFAST BOARD (2x buffet breakfast) OFFICIAL LETTER OF INVITATION and other documents PERFORMACE IN COMPETITIVE & FESTIVAL PROGRAM DIPLOMAS, PRIZES MEDALS FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS Participation fee does not include: Extra nights in hotel: 45 EUR per person on BB Extra payment for DBL or TWIN accommodation: +10 EURO per person to Festival price Extra payment for SNGL accommodation: +50 EUR per person to Festival price TRANSFERS IN BUDAPEST: from hotel to Concert Hall and back, from Airport to hotel and back TRAVEL EXPENSES (transportation of participants to / from Budapest, transfers in Budapest, travel insurance, entrance visa to Hungary for participants from non-Schengen countries), lunches / dinners, entrance tickets to sightseeing objects, tickets to public traffic, optional excursions) Upon request, you can book additional services related to transfer from the airport to the hotel and back, change the hotel to a more prestigious one, or order additional services by contacting the Organizing Committee and sending them an official request. 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.