WorldFestivalAssociation

I N V I T A T I O N

With pleasure we INVITE you  (children, youth and adults groups) to participate on  xiiInternational Chuldren Folk Dance & Music festival ”BOSPHORUS FEST" 20 - 24 April  2025 Istanbul, Turkey.

This festival is the perfect occasion for different groups from various countries to gather together so that they could express their culture and nation through dances, music and interesting national costumes.

 Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics.

Istanbul is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. While the majority of the population are Muslims, it's a mix of cultures and backgrounds fused together in one city. It has a mix of Jewish, Greek and Armenian populations.

Istanbul has an ancient and diverse history as a meeting point between East and West, Asia and Europe. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, it became the city of Byzantium after Greek settlement in the 7th century BCE. Renamed Constantinople in 330 CE, it was successively the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. After the foundation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, Ankara became the capital of Turkey, but Istanbul remains at the centre of Turkish economic and cultural life.

Today Istanbul is a megacity, with over 14 million residents, and is soon to become Europe’s most populous metropolitan area. Its population has grown explosively since the middle of the twentieth century, when it had less than 1 million residents. Most of this growth has been driven by internal migration from rural areas.

Istanbul has benefited from Turkey’s vibrant economy, one of the fastest growing in Europe. One of its major challenges is dealing with the consequences of that growth, developing the infrastructure to accommodate its new residents while retaining access to green space, water resources and a high quality of life.

Istanbul has numerous shopping centers, from the historic to the modern. The Grand Bazaar, in operation since 1461, is among the world's oldest and largest covered markets.

Istanbul has active nightlife and historic taverns, a signature characteristic of the city for centuries if not millennia. Along İstiklal Avenue is the Çiçek Pasajı, now home to winehouses (known as meyhanes), pubs, and restaurants.

All this beauties in Turkish Metropolitan city and lot of fun is waiting for you on our festival. Come and join the best festival experience ever. Travel and dance with us in Istanbul, Turkey…

General rules for participation:

• In the festival can participate folklore groups, orchestras, majorettes, modern dance groups, choirs and music bands from all over the world - only children and youth
• Non-competitive sample of traditional and modern dances, choral groups, majorette teams, orchestras, brass bands festival.
• Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 dances, 08-12 minutes each with USB or orchestra.The choir should prepare free program around 12-15 minutes.
• Groups should take a flag of their country and few gifts for the municipality visits and organizers.
• Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form. All filled in and signed applications will mean acceptance of the terms laid by the present regulation.
• The number of the participants are limited (only 3 groups from each country).
• Groups have to send us short CV and few photos of the group by e-mail.
• groups should have there own transport for arrival and departure.

Program:

Day 1

14.00 Arriving in Istanbul, hotel accommodation after the meeting with the festival representatives and free time

21.00 Welcome reception with the leaders of the groups

Day 2 

07.00 – 10.00 Breakfast

10.00 – 15.00 Bosphorus boat tour (optional - extra)

14.00 Ensemble parade

14.30 Official festival evening

          Welcome Speech

          Open air performance

Day 3  

07.00 – 10.00 Breakfast

10.00 – 18.00 Istanbul sightseeing with organized local tour guides (visiting Hagia Sophia,Sultan Ahmed Square, Blue Mosque, Top Kapi Palace, Byzantine Hippodrome, Basilica Cistern, Grand Bazar etc.)

21.00 Free time

Day 4 

07.00 – 10.00 Breakfast

11.00 Departure

If you stay more days

Day 4 

07.00 – 10.00 Breakfast

10.00 – 15.00 Visiting Galata Tower, Taksim Square and Eminonu Bazar (optional or free time)

21.00 Turkish night in some restourant (optional)

Day 5 

07.00 – 10.00 Breakfast

12.00 Departure

Participation fee:

• 115 Euro for 3 HB per person (3 nights with breakfast and dinner - open buffet)
• 160 Euro for 4 HB per person (4 nights with breakfast and dinner - open buffet)

  It covers 4* hotel accommodation hotels like Eser hotel, www.eserhotel.com.tr, Blue world Hotel www.blueworldhotel.com, Hotel Marin Princess Kamburgaz http://www.kumburgazmarinprincess.com/..  Addition day can be booked for 31 euro/person/day with breakfast and dinner ( open buffet)

Groups of 25 persons: One group leader free of charge!

Participation fee includes:

• Accommodation in 4* Hotels (3 bedded rooms, supplement for a double room is 10€/person/day, supplement for single room is double price),
• Welcome cocktails with the leaders of the groups
• Souvenir and gift for each group
• Certificate for attendance
• Drinks during the performance (water)

Participation fee does not include:

• Transport (for arrival and departure)
• Optional Tour Programs
• Insurance
• What is not specified in the above mentioned “the fee includes”

NUMBER of SEATS is LIMITED!!

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  The International Children Folklore Dance and Music Festival "ISTANBUL FEST" was held in the period 22-25 March , welcoming 200 participants from Ukraine, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Greece and Turkey (different Turkish traditional folklore dance groups).

Director of the forum proudly announced that after the pandemic situation, the organizing team for the first time managed to arrange an international festival in Istanbul, Turkey. 

The first festival event was held at the Cultural Center "Baris Manco", Avcilar Municipality. After the official festival parade the groups enjoyed the welcome cocktail at the Municipalities entrance hall. At the closing ceremony of the same night awards was presented to the groups by Mayor of Avcilar Municipality - Mr. Turan Hançerli.

The second festival event within the frames of the musical festival was held at Esenyurt Municipality’s Cultural Center “Erol Olçok”. Participants had the opportunity to receive awards from the Municipality’s Mayor - Mr. Kemal Deniz Bozkurt.

Groups exchanged professional experience on the specially arranged gala evening as a workshop. Later, each group showed their traditional dances. As a closing, participants had a disco party until midnight.

Guests went back to their countries with great memories and wishes to come back again next year, but before leaving they had the opportunity to join different excursions such as Bosphorus Boat Trip, Visiting the old town of Istanbul, Taksim square and Ortakoy, Galata tower