XXXI International Music & Folk - Dance Festival “OHRID WAVES”
Location: OHRID, Macedonia
Director: Z.S. & WOFA
Application Deadline: 5 January, 2025
I N V I T A T I O N
“OHRID WAVES” festival is unique folk festival in region. Organizers of the festival are: Association of culture and art “Models”, in cooperation with World Festival Association, Municipality of Ohrid and National Institution Center for culture “G.Prlicev” from Ohrid.
With pleasure we INVITE you (CHILDREN’S.YOUTH&ADULTS groups) to participate on XXXI International Music & Dance festival “Ohrid WAVES” which will be held on 07 – 11 August
Ohrid today is a cultural, spiritual and tourist centre. It is the famous tourist place in Macedonia but also in the region. During this period there are a lot of tourists from Holland, Finland, Poland, Sweden, Germany, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Turkey …Due to exceptional beauty Ohrid is protected in this period is the best tourist resort in Macedonia. It is the famous tourist place in the region with a lot of hotels, apartments, a lot of traditional restaurants and café, shops, entertainment. Ohrid during the summer period lives 24 hours.
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. Ohrid lake coast is 35km with beautifully sands beach, tourist attractions and entertainment. Temperature of the water in the lake is 25C degree and it is suitable for swimming, diving, yachting.. Ancient ruins, beautiful amphitheatre, 3 citadel walls, St.Sofia Cathedral, St.Jovan Kaneo church, St.Naum monaster (one of the most beautiful monasteries in Macedonia and an important pilgrimage place. Breathtaking setting on a plateau over Ohrid Lake and Galicica mountain towering from behind. 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.
Festival program will be held on the main square in Ohrid.
How it was on the festival past years you can see on following link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFo9Rx6z_4U
General rules:
- Every group has the right to participate. Children's ensembles , Youth ensembles , adult ensembles.
- This 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, instrumental groups and soloists, as well as groups and performers from other art styles.
- The number of participants ис limited (only 3 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 Choral groups -two parts from 12 – 18 minutes free program (one performance acapela in old city (churches) and one performance on the stage with sound equipment)..
- 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. Also, we will choose the best girl's and men's folk costume and the best dancing couple.
- To send us short CV and photos of the group,
- To take a flag of the country,
- Ensembles should have there own transport for arrival and departure,
Program:
Day 1
13.00 Arrival in Ohrid after 13.00 and hotel accommodation, free activities (swimming in Ohrid Lake)
14.00 – 15.00 Lunch in hotel (if you choose option with 3 meals)
19.00 – 21.00 Dinner in hotel
21.00 Welcome reception and meeting with leaders of the groups
Day 2
09.00 – 10.00 Breakfast,
10.00 – 13.00 Ohrid sightseeing – visiting cultural monuments (St.Sofia church, Samoil fortress – entres 2 euro, Antique theatre, Plaosnik – entres 2 euro), St. Kaneo church, Bridge of wishes, Gallery of Icon …)
14.00 – 15.00 Lunch in hotel (if you choose option with 3 meals)
18.00 – 19.00 Dinner in hotel
19.30. Ensembles parade (old town)
20.00. Festival evening
10.08 Day 3
09.00 – 10.00 Breakfast,
10.00 – 13.00 Visiting Stara carsia, oldest tree called – Cinar, Biljanini springs, Ohrid pearl, old paper manufactory, shopping or visiting Struga city… ,
14.00 – 15.00 Lunch in hotel (if you choose option with 3 meals),
19.00 – 19.00 Dinner in hotel
20.00 Free time
11.08. Day 4
09.00 – 10.00 Breakfast,
11.00 – 16.00.Cruising with boat on Ohrid Lake, visit Museum on water and most famous tourist resort St.Naum-culture place, also swimming in most popular beach –(price 13 euros per person -normal price is 15 euro per person),lunch package,),
18.00 – 20.00 Dinner in hotel
21.00 - 00.00 Party in hotel
12.08. Day 5
09.00 – 10.00 Breakfast,
11.00. Departure of the participants
OPTIONAL – If you stay more days…
12.08 Day 5
09.00 – 10.00 Breakfast,
10.00 – 13.00 Visiting Struga city (house of Miladinovci brothers, river Crni Drim, Kalsita cave church ……),
14.00 – 15.00 Lunch in hotel and free activities,
19.00 – 20.00 Dinner in hotel
21.00 Second festival evening
13.08.Day 6
09.00 – 10.00 Breakfast,
10.00 – 14.00 Free activities (sunbathing and swimming in Ohrid Lake, walking in the city square… ) or visiting Vevcani (ethno village) ,
14.00 – 15.00 Lunch in hotel (if you choose option with 3 meals)
19.00 – 21.00 Dinner in hotel
21.00 – 00.00 Beach party
14.08 Day 7
08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast,
09.00 – 14.00 Departure to Skopje city with guide (visiting monuments of Alexander of Macedon, Museum of Macedonian struggle, Macedonian GATE, Stone bridge, Memorial centre of holocaust…) (optional)
14.00 Departure from Skopje city
Participation fee with acommodation is:
- To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay in the festival yas, WOFA offers several accommodation options.
- Choose from our top-tier city-center hotels or lakeside properties, each offering different board options to fit your needs.
Suggested Accommodation:
1. Hotel Delago & District Villa (MAIN SUGGESTION FOR BEST ACCOMMODATION IN STRICT CENTER)
- Located just 100 meters from Ohrid’s main square, Hotel Delago & District Villa offers 4-star comfort with double rooms and top-quality breakfast & dinner options.
- Availability is limited!
- Double rooms accommodation!
*rooms will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
More about Hotel Delago & District Villa
Pricing Options: (BB)
- 3 Nights/ 4 days (BB): 99€ per person (Bed & Breakfast)
- 4 Nights/ 5 days (BB): 132€ per person
- 5 Nights/ 6 days (BB): 164€ per person
(HB)
- 3 Nights/ 4 days (HB): 114 € per person (Half Board - 2 meals/day)
- 4 Nights/ 5 days (HB): 149 € per person
- 5 Nights/ 6 days (HB): 189 € per person
2. Hotel Desaret & International
- An exclusive 3-star lakeside hotel with an outdoor swimming pool. Hotel Desaret features open buffet meals and is partially renovated for added comfort. It is 14.2 kilometers from the main square of the city.
- 3 Nights/ 4 days (HB): 99 € per person (Half Board - 2 meals/day)
- 4 Nights/ 5 days (HB): 129 € per person
- 5 Nights/ 6 days (HB): 159 € per person
- 3 Nights (FB): 109 € per person (Full Board - 3 meals/day)
- 4 Nights (FB): 139 € per person
- 5 Nights (FB): 172 € per person
3. Hotel International, Hotel Mizo, Hotel Prestige,
- 119 euro per person for 4 days (3 nights with 2 meals per day )
- 149 euro per person for 5 days (4 nights with 2 meals per day)
4. Hotel De Luks Apartments
- Ideal for those seeking a longer stay, Hotel De Luks offers meals included in both Half Board and Full Board packages.
Pricing Options:
- 3 Nights (HB): 91€ per person (Half Board - 2 meals/day)
- 4 Nights (HB): 119€ per person
- 3 Nights (FB): 109€ per person (Full Board - 3 meals/day)
- 4 Nights (FB): 139€ per person
5. Additional Central 3 & 4-Star Hotels
- For a wider selection, these centrally located hotels offer various room configurations (double, triple, and quadruple). Price information is available upon completion of the application form.
- Hotel Plaza – Visit Hotel Plaza (Lakefront)
- Hotel Internacional – Visit Hotel Internacional
- Hotel Montenegrin – Visit Hotel Montenegrin
Festival organizers provide:
- for 24 dancers – one gratis,
- souvenir and gift for each group,
- Welcome cocktail
- certificates for attendance on the festival,
- drinks during the performance,
- free bus parking
- advertising of the festival (news letter, social mediums promotions, posters)
NOTE: Macedonian tourist tax is 1 euro per person per day and it is paid additional
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 29 HB – price is special for the participants in festivals that we can provide. For additional days we will prepare special program for you.
The festival will organize the transport for the groups coming by plane by picking them up from Ohrid airport, during the festival days and back to the same Ohrid airport. You can also arrive through Skopje, Tirana or Thessaloniki 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.
All detailed information will be supply after your confirmation for participations.
In 2017 on this Festival participated over 493 participants from 15 countries from Europe.
In 2018 on this Festival participated over 515 participants from 16 countries from Europe.
In 2019 on this Festival participated over 533 participants from 14 countries from Europe.
NUMBER OF SEATS IS LIMITED on 400 or 10- 12 groups!
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NEWS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL Published on 13.08.2019
OHRID FESTIVAL DAYS continue..
From 08 - 12 august in Ohrid was held XII International music and Folk - Dance festival ÖHRID WAVES"..
On the festival participate over 400 participants from Romania, Bulgaria, Armenia, Lithuania,Serbia...Festival has two festival evening on 10 and 11 august where all groups singing and dance in front the tourist and local citizens in Ohrid city on the main stage ..join party was held in hotel Desaret on the beach with all participants on 11 august..Director of the festival Mr Zoran Strezovski wish them well stay in Ohrid and nice festival presentation to all groups..Groups show their satisfaction of the hotel accommodation in hotel Desaret and well organization of the festival..
Festival was organize by WOFA and Youth Culture Center in Ohrid...During tha day they have visited beatiful city of Ohrid and boat trip to St Naum..also they have swimming in warm water of Ohrid Lake..Some moments from the festival you can see on the link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1c0kyISYoWbz5SK4uKZs-9A08jdjiYlY6
NEWS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL Published on 14 August 2018
THE FESTIVAL "OHRID WAVES" GATHERED THE CULTURES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES
XI International Folk-dance & Music festival "OHRID WAVES" was held from 9 to 13 August in the Macedonian town, gathering the different cultures of many countries.
The Festival evenings were held on the main stage in Ohrid. Ensembles with more than 400 participants from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey presented their songs and dances to the local audience and tourists in the town.
At the end of the festival, the Director Zoran Strezovski handed to the groups diplomas for parrticipation and presents from Ohrid.Traditionally, for the final, the organizers had prepared a party for all the participants who had the opportunity to take a boat trip to St. Naum in their free time and enjoy the beautiful Ohrid.
NEWS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL Published on 14 August 2017
OVER 500 PARTICIPANTS FROM 6 COUNTRIES TOOK PART IN THE FESTIVAL "OHRID WAVES" (MACEDONIA)
The international folklore and dance festival "Ohrid waves" was organized and took place for the 11 time with a huge success. At the festival there were 10 groups with more than 500 participants from Romania, Lithuania, Turkey, Poland, Croatia and Latvia, the director of the musical-dance event, Zoran Strazovski informed.
At the arrival day of the groups the 10th of August, he conducted a meeting with the directors of the formations and greeted them in person and wished them to perform well in the festival nights.
"The official opening of the festival took place on the 11th of August with and open stage and a welcome accompanied by fireworks. Then second festival night took place at "Chinar" square. where all the groups had time to sing and dance. On the 13th of August a party for the contestants was organized at which the director handed diplomas for participation and presents for the groups." added the organizers and inform that all the ensembles have left Ohrid with an amazingly good impression and with a promise to come back again next year.
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Reviews from the groups:
This festival has review of 7 groups and average estimation is EXELLENT - 9,1/10