XXV International Folk - Dance & Music Festival “ST.KIRIL & METODIJ”
Location: OHRID, Macedonia
Director: Z.S.& WOFA
Application Deadline: 1 May, 2024
I N V I T A T I O N
With pleasure we INVITE you (children, youth and adult groups) (folklore groups,choir and orchestras,majorette teams,brass bands, modern dance...) to participate on XXV International Dance & Music festival “St.Kiril & Metodij” 23 - 27 May, Ohrid, 2024
The intention of our invitation is to invite you to celebrate together the day of St. Cyril & Methodius, 24th of May in Ohrid (city of St. Kliment and St.Naum – best students of St.Cyril & Methodius). The Festival light motive is to present the cultural tradition of different countries and to provide an opportunity for the members of groups to get together, to establish friendships and culture presentation trough dance and music.
Ohrid is the only place in the world where 2 recognized saints actually lived in the same time - St. Clement of Ohrid (840-916) and St.Naum of Ohrid (830-910), putting an extremely strong stamp of their existence.
These 2 exceptional persons, the best students of Cyril and Methodius, were in fact the most educated persons in the world in their time. Among other achievements, they will always be remembered as establishers of the first University in Europe (893), located in Ohrid Old Town, long before the University in Bologna (1088). Besides that, St. Clement and St. Naum of Ohrid were founders of the Cyrillic Alphabet. As a result of their creativity and incredible work, today more then 200 million people still use this alphabet, mostly in Southeast and Eastern Europe.
Ancient ruins, beautiful amphitheatre, 3 citadel walls, St.Sofia Cathedral, St.Jovan Kaneo church, an important pilgrimage place. Breathtaking setting on a plateau over Ohrid Lake and Galicica mountain towering from behind. St.Naum monaster (one of the most beautiful monasteries in Macedonia) was founded in the 910 by St.Naum, but the present-day church was built in the 16th c. Of the original church just the side chapel with the grave of St.Naum still stands), gallery of exclusive icons, museums, workshops for hand-made paper, woodcarving and famous Ohrid pearls, are among hundreds sites for tourists worth to visit. There is also a strong Roman connection to the city, since Lychnidos was along the famous route Via Egnatia, build in the 2nd century B.C., connecting the Adriatic and Aegean sea. Considering the number of churches located in the Old town (365 churches according to the immemorial legend, for local people to celebrate every single day by honouring another saint), Ohrid is called “the Balkan Jerusalem”, successfully playing the role as the biggest pilgrimage spot for all the Orthodox Christians in the world.
Today Ohrid is a cultural, spiritual and tourist centre. And finally, as the crowning glory of its values, Ohrid and Lake Ohrid have been named a world cultural and natural heritage listed city under the protection of UNESCO since 1980.
Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s deepest and according to most experts the oldest lake in Europe. The importance of the lake was further emphasized when it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. Feel Ohrid for once in your life and you already know why you will return. For more information visit www.ohridinfo.mk Festival program will be held on the main square in Ohrid.
General rules :
- is a non-competitive sample of traditional and modern dances and music performed by folkloric groups.
- On the festival may participate children, youth and adults folklore dance groups, modern dance groups, vocal groups, instrumental groups and soloists, as well as groups and performers from other art styles.
- The number of participants are limited (only 3 folk groups from each country),
- Each group should consist of most 50 members including dancers, managers and musicians,
- Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 folk dances, 12-18 minutes each with orchestra or USB 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 city and excursions.
- To send us short CV and photos of the group,
- To take a flag of the country,
- Groups should have there own transport for arrival and departure,
Program Proposal
Day 1
13.00.Arrivalin Ohrid, , hotel accommodation,
19.00 – 20.00 Dinner in hotel
21.00. Welcome reception and meeting with leaders of the groups
Day 2
09.00 -11.00 Breakfast,
11.00 -14.00 Ohrid sightseeing – visiting cultural monuments (St.Sofia church, Samoil fortress, Antique theatre, Plaosnik, St. Kaneo church, Bridge of wishes …)
18-19.00 Dinner in hotel
19.00. Ensembles parade (old town)
20.00. Official opening of the festival, festival evening
Day 3
09.00 -10.00 Breakfast,
11.00 – 15.30 Cruising with boat on Ohrid Lake, visit Museum on water and most famous tourist resort St.Naum monastery, culture place, –(price 12 euros per person, ),
18.00 – 19.30 Dinner in hotel
21.00. Disco party for all participants with wine degustation and drink, exchange presents
Day 4
08.00 - 10.00 Brakfast
11.00 – 14.00 Visiting Stara carsia, oldest tree called – Cinar, Biljanini izvori, Ohrid pearl manufactory, shopping….. or visiting Struga city,
19.00 – 20.00 Dinner in hotel
21.00 Macedonian evening party or Workshop (learning different dances)
Day 5
09.00 Breakfast
11.00 Departure of the participants
Participation fee:
76 euro for 3 HB (4 days, 3 nights with 2 meals per day - breakfast, dinner)
- 106 euro for 4 HB (5 days, 4 nights with 2 meals per day - breakfast ,dinner)
- 86 euro 3 FB per person (4 days, 4 nights with 3 meals per day (Full Board).
- 119 euro for 4 FB per person ( 5 days, 4 nights with 3 meals per day, breakfast, lunch and dinner) …
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It covers hotel accommodation with 3 meals per day in 3*** hotels which are located in center of the city, in double (for drivers and leaders), triple and quadriple rooms …
Hotel Prestol (hotel on the Lake)
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Hotel Montenegrin - hotel in the center of the city www.montenegrininn.com
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Hotel De Luks Apartmant - in the center of the city…
Hotel Plaza - www.galebiplaza.com.mk - hotel on the lake
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Hotel Desaret is 3* hotel on the lake with outdoor swimming pool and only our organization has right of this hotel. Meals are open buffet and price is:
- 82 euro 3 HB per person (3 nights with 2 meals per day (Half Board)
- 104 euro 4 HB per person (4 nights with 2 meals per day (Half Board).
- 99 euro 3 FB per person (3 nights with 3 meals per day (Full Board)
- 125 euro 4 FB per person (4 nights with 3 meals per day (Full Board).
https://desaret-hotel.hellomacedonia.com/en/
Accommodation in 4* hotels like: Hotel International, Hotel Mizo,Hotel Prestige,
94 euro per person 3 half - boards (2 meals per day open buffet)
130 euro per person for 4 half-boards (2 meals per day - open buffet)
Festival organizers provide:
- for 25 dancers – one gratis,
- Certificate for attendance,
- souvenir and gift for each group,
- Welcome cocktail
- Disco party with drink
- drinks during the performance,
- guide for the festival,
- free parking
- advertising of the festival (press release, social media promotion, flayers, posters)
INSURANCE:
Personal responsibility and health insurance are within the other obligations of the groups. First Aid and Medical Hospital will be available, medical services must be covered by the group.
On your request, You can continue your stay in Ohrid. Price will be 33 Euro per day per person FB, and 28 euro HB- price is special for the participants in festivals that we can provide.
The festival will organize the transport for the groups coming by plane by picking them up from airport, during the festival days and back to the airport. You can also arrive through Skopje, Tirana (Albania) or Thessalonica (Greece) Airport which are only 200 km from Ohrid. The cost of the transportation will be covered by the group and will be additionally agreed according to their number. We will also assist you in obtaining visa for Macedonia if necessary. Also, you can arrive in Ohrid airport by plane and we will organize transfer from the airport to the hotel free of charge.
By applying you confirm that you accept all festival conditions. All detailed information will be supply after your confirmation for participations.
In 2018 on this Festival participated over 255 participants from 9 countries of Europe.
In 2019 on this Festival participated over 273 participants from 8 countries of Europe.
NUMBER OF SEATS IS LIMITED!!
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NEWS ABOUT FESTIVAL Published on 27 May 2019
XI INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE DANCE AND MUSIC FESTIVAL "ST KIRIL AND METODIJ" WAS ORGANIZIED IN OHRID IN HONOR OF THE SAINTS CYRIL AND METHODIUS
In the occasion of the Day of the holy brothers Cyril and Methodius, a large-scale festival was organized in Ohrid on 24th of May, 2019. The concert was attended by more than 400 participants from 10 ensembles from Poland, Bulgaria, Serbia, Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Director of the folklore forum, Mr. Zoran Strezovski delivered a speech in connection with the importance of May 24th for Slavic culture, literacy and education.Participants performed traditional songs and dances, typical for their nations, at the stage on the town's square. The rest of the days, groups had the opportunity to visit the protected UNESCO cultural heritage of Ohrid - Monuments of Saints Cyril and Methodius, church "St Sofia", Ancient theater, Samuel's fortress and also the enjoy a boat trip to St. Naum Monastery in the Ohrid lake. More photos of the festival onthe link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/0B8As_IOFIAl5MEo1T0tsVTNuQms
NEWS ABOUT FESTIVAL Published on 23 May 2019
MORE THAN 400 PARTICIPANTS PERFORMED AT “ST.KIRIL & METODIJ” FESTIVAL IN OHRID
International Folk-dance and music festival "St.Kiril & Metodij" was held from 18 - 22 May in Ohrid. 8 groups with more than 400 participants from Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and Macedonia took part in the festival.
The festival evening was held on 20 May on the stage of Center of Culture "Grigor Prlicev" in Ohrid, where groups danced and sang. After the performances, the director of the festival Mr.Zoran Strezovski gave certificates and presents to each group.
During their stay in Ohrid, grups had the oportunety to visit such important culture monuments as St Sofia church, Antique theatre, Samoil Fortress, St.Kaneo and Bridge of wishes. Also, they had wonderful boat trip to St. Naum with great party on the boat.
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Reviews from the groups:
This festival has review of 6 groups and average estimation is EXELLENT - 9,0/10