WorldFestivalAssociation

                                    I N V I T A T I O N

With pleasure we INVITE ((folk ensembles,choral groups,art schools, majorette teams, orchestras,Ballroom dance groups,Modern dance teams) (children, youth and adult groups) to participate on  XXVI International Music & Dance festival “MUSIC, DANCE AND SEA” 03 - 07   September,Paralia, 2024 

  The intention of our invitation  and 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.The idea of the Festival is to bring the music closer to the people and to present the music on the streets and the squares.The festival is open for folk and choir ensembles, as well as orchestras and majorettes regardless of the members gender and age.

     Paralia and Olimpic Beach are famous holiday place on the Aegean coast of Greece with many sends beach .Festival program will be held on the main square in Paralia and Olimpic beach.

                     General rules :

-        is a non-competitive sample of traditional and modern dances and music performed by  groups.

-      On the festival may participate children and youth folklore dance groups, modern dance groups, vocal groups, ballroom dance teams, art schools, instrumental groups and soloists, as well as groups and performers from other art styles.

-The number of participants are limited (only 3  groups from each country),

-Each group should consist of most 60 members including dancers, managers and musicians,

-   Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 folk dances, total program of 15 - 20 minutes each with orchestra or USB.

For choral groups should prepare free program about 15 minutes 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 Paralia,  hotel accommodation and  free time (beach time)

18.00 – 19.00 Dinner in hotel

        21.00 Welcome reception with leaders of the groups 

Day 2

 09.00 -10.00 Breakfast,

 11.00 Beach time or visiting Thessalonica or Katerini (optional)

         18.00 - 19.00 Dinner in hotel

19.30 – 23.00 Festival evening on the square in Paralia

   Day 3 

 09.00 -11.00 Breakfast,

09.00 -16.00 Boat excursion in the blue waters of Thermaikos Gulf, (20 euro per person (including lunch and drinks on the boat) (BOAT  program:09:00 Start from the port of  Paralia.10:30 We will make a 30min. stop on the opened sea in the high of the beach of PLAKA. Here you can swim in the crystal clear water. 11:00 We are taking you with the small boat to the VARIKO beach,  where the captain will prepare a lunch for you around 12:45 (Grilled fish, greek salad and to drink juice or wine and ouzo).The rest of the time at the Variko beach you can spend with taking a walk, swimming, collecting shells. 14:00 leaving the Variko beachparalia 15:00 making a stop on the opened sea with a possibility to swim. 15:30 Return to the port of Paralia)),,

18.00 – 19.00 Dinner in hotel

21.00 Join party with all partuicipants in Aloha Beach

   Day 4

   09.00 – 10.00 Breakfast ,

   10.00 – 14.00 Beach time or Visiting  Meteori (very famous historical place)

     14.00 - 15.00 Lunch in restaurant 

    Day 5 

08.00 – 10.00 Breakfast

10.30 Departure of the participants

OPTIONAL – If you stay more days…

Day 5

09.00 -10.00 Breakfast,

 10.30 – 14.00  Visiting Katerini or free time on the beach

   19.00 – 20.00 Dinner in hotel

19.30 – 23.00 Second festival evening on the square of Olympic beach 

Day  6

09.00 -10.00 Breakfast,

10.30 Departure 

Participation fee :

-   122 euro for 3 HB per person (4 days /3 nights  with 2 meals per day) 

-   156 euro for 4 HB per person (5 days  /4 nights/with 2 meals per day) 

-  189 euro for 5 HB per person (6 days / 5 nights with 2 meals per day) 

It  covers hotel accommodation with 2 meals per day in triple and quadriple rooms  , for drivers and leaders thre are 2 double rooms ..for additional double rooms are 10 euro per person per day in hotel appartmants  like Xenia Zeus,Ifigenia,Katerina, To Limani, Bmbus..

 Some moments of the festival in Paralia you can see on folowing link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgjuWQntng8

     Festival organizers provide:

-         for 24 dancers – one free (24+1,48+2)

-         souvenir and gift for each group,

-         Certificate for attendance,

-         free parking

- advertising of the festival (press release,social medium promotion, 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.

Tourist tax is 1.50 euro per person per day and it is additional

On your request,  You can continue your stay in Paralia. Price will be 37 Euro per day per person HB – price is special for the participants in festivals that we can provide.

    After the festival finish organizers will send you link  from the festival video and nd photos.

   The festival will organize the transport for the groups coming by plane by picking them up from Thessaloniki Airport which are only 75 km from Paralia. The cost of the transportation will be covered by the group and will be additionally agreed according to their number.

 All detailed information  will be supply after your confirmation for participations.

 In 2018 on the festival were participated 11 groups from 9 EU country with 365 participants (children, youth and adults). 

In 2019 on the festival were participated 12 groups from 10 EU countries with 447 participants.

 NUMBER OF SEATS IS LIMMITED on 400 participants or 10- 12 groups!

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 NEWS ABOUT  THE FESTIVAL                                               15.09.2019

"Many Diversity and many emotions on the festival in Paralia,Katerini"

 From 11-15 september 2019 was held XI International music & Folk - dance festival "Music,Dance and Sea",in Paralia,Greece..

On the festival participated 12 ensembles with over 400 participants from Estonia,Ukraine,Moldova,Romania,Hungary,Croatia, Bulgaria,Poland..
On 11 september was held Welcome reception with leaders of the groups where director of the festival Mr Zoran Strezovski wish them welcome on the festival and explain program for the festival..
On 12 september was held beach party with all participants on famoues Aloha beach bar where all ensembles have their presentation..
On 13 september was held festival evening in Olimpic beach and second festival evening was held on 14 september in Paralia squere where director give them sertificates and presents from the festival..
Organizer of the festivals were WOFA - World Festival Association with cooperation of local municipality..Some moments of the festival (photos and videos) on the link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1xH91tXubyuyQ4UOaJP3FpajWkxwcaBz0

 NEWS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL                                   Published on 18.09 2018

ENSEMBLES TOOK PART IN THE "MUSIC, DANCE AND SEA" FESTIVAL IN PARALIA 

XI International music and dance festival "Music, Dance and Sea" in Paralia, Greece finished with success. It was held from 13th till 17th of September and the festival was attended by 11 ensembles from Romania, Poland, Bulgaria, Croatia and Estonia.

"On 13 September was held welcome meeting with leaders of the groups where director of the festival Mr. Zoran Strezovski wish them welcome and successful festival performances in Paralia,Greece. On 14 September was held festival evening on the square in OLIMPYC beach. On 15 September was held festival evening in Paralia square. All participants received certificates and presents from organizers. During the days they had boat trip and some of the participants visited Meteora and other places and enjoyed on the beach and warm sea.", said the organizer.  

NEWS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL                                   Published on 19 September 2017

7 GROUPS FROM 4 COUNTRIES TOOK PART IN THE “MUSIC, DANCE AND SEA” FESTIVAL IN PARALIA

In the period September 14 – 18, 2017 in the Greek town of Paralia, the International Music Festival “Music, dance and sea” was held. 7 groups and more than 350 participants from Czech Republic, Romania, Bulgaria and Finland took part in the festival, informed the organizer of the festival Zoran Strezovski.

“On Sept. 14 a welcome reception with the leaders of the groups was held in beautiful restaurant in Paralia situated on the beach, where the festival evenings were discussed.There were two festival evenings on the square of Paralia on 15^th and 16^th of September, all groups danced and sang in front of the audience on the square. On 16^th of September, the director of the festival Zoran Strezovski gave the group leaders certificates and gifts. Festival evening were finished by dances of all the participants and audience on the square. During the days groups experienced various excursions like "Pirate cruise" in the sea, they visited Meteora and swimm in the warm sea.”

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Reviews from the groups: 

This festival has review of 12 groups and average estimation is VERY GOOD   - 8,9/10