WorldFestivalAssociation

The International Folk - Dance Festival “Emerald Island” will be held for the 2nd time on the Greek Island Thasos during the period from 18 - 23 September 2015.

The intention of our invitation is to celebrate life, love and friendship trough dance and music. The Festival light motive is to present the cultural tradition of different countries and regions, and to provide an opportunity for the members of groups to get together and create long lasting friendship.

Greece's Best Kept Secret

Surrounded by the crystal blue waters of the Aegean Sea, near the northern coast of Greece, sits the island of Thassos. Here you can immerse yourself in a breath - taking natural environment and get to know a laid - back culture that warmly welcomes every visitor.

Potos is a wonderful sea-side village and beach resort on the southern coast of Thasos. The water is clear and fantastic for swimming and water sports. The narrow streets are lined with shops, restaurants, snack bars, cafés and bars while cars and motorbikes are limited to only a few roads in town. As you walk along the numerous cafés and bars you will hear all kinds of music, and very likely you'll find something of your own personal taste, where you can hang out, have a drink, and enjoy all the positive vibes around you.

During the free time, on group request the Festival Team can organize several excursions:

• Historical part of the Island (visiting village Theologos, monastery of Archangel Michael, archeological museum)
• Ancient amphitheater in Limenas
• Visiting Kavala
• Golden beach

FESTIVAL CONDITIONS:

The International Folk Dance Festival “Emerald Island” is a non-competitive festival of traditional and modern dances. On the festival may participate children and youth folklore dance groups, modern dance groups, vocal groups, instrumental groups, choirs and soloists, as well as groups and performers from other art styles. The age of participants is not limited.

During the Festival each Group will have 3 performances which will be organized around the island with short defile at the beginning. According to the number of participants the minutes of the performance will be defined. Groups can perfrom either with live music or CD. The performances will be in the evening hours so you can plan the day ahead and use it for visiting the historical part of the island, excursions or simply enjoying on the beach.

The festival fee is 150 euro per person. It covers organizational expenses, ferry boat tickets, 150 liter of petrol for each bus, accommodation in apartments for 5 nights with 2 meals per day. On every 25 participants, one member is free of charge.

NOTE: Festival organization provides transportation from and to the airport (Kavala / Thessaloniki) for the groups (more than 30 people) coming by airplane!!!

Participation fee can be paid via bank transfer or in cash on the day of arrival. Advance payment of 40 euro per person should be made after receiving the official invitation.

NOTE: Each group must send us the music for the performance by email, 10 days before the festival starts.

In the end of the Festival, after the show, the Groups have gift exchange and receiving certificates. Each group should bring the flag and sing of their country.

Accommodation

The accommodation of the participants is organized in apartments and studios. Apartments are with 2, 3 and 4 beds in room, only 3 to 5 minutes from the beach and city center. The breakfast and lunch are organized in traditional Greek restaurants very close to the apartments.

The Groups must send the rooming list by end of July. Groups that do not send, the rooming list will be made by festival and can’t be any changes upon arrival.

If the group shows interest in extending the stay the organizers should be informed during the application process (for half board accommodation in Thasos the price is 27 euro per person per day).

Transport and travel conditions

The groups should pay the travel expenses by themselves to Thassos and back.

The groups coming by bus should use their own transport all the time during the festival and the small journeys and excursions around the city. The Festival Organization will provide 150 lt of petrol for each bus, and the festival will cover the expenses for ferry boat from Keramoti to Limenas (Thassos).

The groups coming by plane should organize the transportation from their country to airport (Kavala / Thessaloniki) and back. The festival will organize the transport from the airport (Kavala / Thessaloniki) to Thassos and back to the airport. This cost will be covered only for the groups more than 30 people!!!

The participant group should arrive in Thasos on 18th of September 2015 and leave on 23rd of September 2015 after having breakfast and leave the rooms till 11:00. 

The number of participants is limited. Therefore, we will appreciate if you can send us your application by 25 May 2015. After receiving your application we will send you the official invitation for participating on the Festival. We will also assist you in obtaining visa for Greece if necessary. Each member must have travel insurance policy.

The organizer reserves the right to any changes in the program, and the participants will be informed on time. The copy right of all video materials and pictures are ownership of the Organization of the Festival. By applying you confirm that you accept all festival conditions!