WorldFestivalAssociation

INVITATION

EVENT DETAILS

• Dates: August 20 – August 24, 2025
• Location: Budva, Montenegro
• Application Deadline: June 30, 2025

ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

The Sveti Stefan Choir Festival and Competition is one of the most prestigious choral events in the region. It gathers children’s, youth, and adult choral groups from all over the world, offering them the opportunity to compete, perform, and experience the beautiful Montenegrin coast. Choirs can choose between competition and non-competitive festival participation.

 REGULATIONS

• Open to Children’s Choirs (2/3 under 16 years old), Youth Choirs (2/3 under 27 years old), and Adult Choirs (1/3 over 27 years old).
• Each choir must submit an application form, a recent photograph of the choir and conductor, and a recent audio recording.
• Choirs may compete or participate in the festival without competing.
• The competition is judged by an international jury, and the Grand Prize winner will receive the "Sveti Stefan" statue.
• A minimum of five choirs is required for the competitive section.

FESTIVAL SECTIONS

1. Performances – Open Air: Choirs perform a 15-20 minute program in several public outdoor locations.
2. Pop Music: Choirs perform choral arrangements of pop songs (8-12 minutes).
3. Folk Music: Choirs perform choral arrangements of folk songs (8-12 minutes).

Each choir must perform in at least two sections.

By applying, choirs agree to grant the festival rights to use recorded materials from performances.

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL & WELCOME

• 12:00 – 14:00 – Arrival in Budva, hotel check-in, free time for swimming.
• 18:30 – 20:00 – Dinner at the hotel.
• 21:00 – Welcome reception for leaders and conductors.

DAY 2 – SIGHTSEEING & FESTIVAL OPENING

• 08:00 – 10:00 – Breakfast.
• 10:30 – 14:00 – Budva sightseeing & boat trip to Sveti Stefan (€16 optional).
• 19:30 – 20:00 – Dinner at the hotel.
• 21:00 – Official Festival Opening:

• Welcome speech & fireworks.
• Group singing & open-air performances in Budva’s Old Town.

DAY 3 – COMPETITION & FESTIVAL EVENING

• 08:00 – 10:00 – Breakfast.
• 11:00 – 14:00 – Competition at Hotel Splendid (judged by an international jury).
• 20:00 – 21:00 – Dinner at the hotel.
• 21:00 – Festival concert at Tree Cane Square.

DAY 4 – OPTIONAL TOURS & GALA EVENING

• 09:00 – 10:00 – Breakfast.
• 10:00 – 18:00 – Optional excursions:

• Visit to Kotor, Herceg Novi, Dubrovnik (Croatia).
• Boat tour to Sveti Stefan.
• Aqua park visit or beach time.
• 19:00 – 21:00 – Dinner at the hotel.
• 21:00 – 00:00 – Gala evening, awards, and certificate presentations.

DAY 5 – DEPARTURE

• 09:00 – 10:00 – Breakfast.
• 12:00 – Departure of participants.

OPTIONAL EXTENDED STAY

For choirs wishing to extend their stay, the festival offers:

• Additional days (€45 per person per day, including half-board accommodation).
• Excursions to Kotor, Dubrovnik, or Boka Kotorska Bay by boat.
• Evening events such as dinner in a traditional restaurant.

PARTICIPATION FEE

• €137 per person (3 nights / 4 days, 2 meals per day)
• €176 per person (4 nights / 5 days, 2 meals per day)
• €219 per person (5 nights / 6 days, 2 meals per day)
• Hotel accommodation at Hotel Apartment Knezevic, Hotel Braic, Vila Park, or similar.
• Leaders and drivers accommodated in 2/2 rooms (extra €12 per person per night for additional double rooms).
• Montenegro tourist tax & insurance (€1.50 per person per day) is an additional cost.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

• Accommodation and meals (half board).
• Festival souvenirs and gifts.
• Welcome cocktail for group leaders.
• Certificates of attendance.
• Refreshments during performances.
• Festival promotion through press, social media, posters, and flyers.

FOR COMPETITORS

• Certificates of participation.
• Grand Prize: "Sveti Stefan" statue for the best choir.

INSURANCE & TRANSPORTATION

• Participants must arrange their own travel and health insurance.
• First aid and medical support available (but medical costs must be covered by participants).
• The festival can arrange transport from Tivat or Podgorica airports at an additional cost.
• Organizers reserve the right to adjust the festival program.