WorldFestivalAssociation

                                          I N V I T A T I O N

    With pleasure we INVITE you (folk groups, Choral groups and orchestras majorette teams), (children and youth groups) to participate on  XXX International  festival for Dance & Songs Festival “LAKE FEST  ”   05 - 09  June, Ohrid 2024

    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.

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 2^nd 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.

Feel Ohrid for once in your life and you already know why you will return. For more information visit www.ohridinfo.mk

 How it was on the festival past years you can see on following link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFo9Rx6z_4U&t=1s

 General rules :

-         is a non-competitive sample of traditional and modern dances, choral groups and majorette teams.

-         Every Folklore,Choral group and majorette Teams has the right to participate. Children's ensembles Youth ensembles  adult ensembles On the festival may participate 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  groups from each country),

-         Each group should consist of most 70 members including dancers, managers, musicians and family members,

-         Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 dances, 10-15 minutes each with orchestra or UasB. 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.

-         To send us short CV and 2 – 3 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

20.00. 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  …)

       18.00- 19.00 Dinner in hotel

        19.15. Ensembles parade (old town)

      19.30. Official opening of the festival

             -  welcome speech and firewall

              - open air performance

              - Dancing together  

  Day 3   

 09.00 -10.00 Breakfast,

11.00 – 14.30 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, ),

16.00 – 18.00. Shopping in the city

18.00 – 20.00 Dinner in hotel

01.00.- 00.00 Social events, exchange presents, disco party

   Day 4

09.00 -10.00 Breakfast,

 10.30 – 14.00  Visiting Struga city (house of Miladinovci brothers, river Crni Drim, Kalsita caves church……),

   19.00 – 20.00 Dinner in hotel

   21.00. – 00.00 Macedonian evening or Workshop - learning different dancing

DAY 5

   09.00 Breakfast

10.00 – 14.00 Departure to Skopje city with guides (visiting monuments of Alexander of Macedon, National museum of Macedonian struggle, Macedonian GATE, Stone bridge…)

14.00 Departure from Skopje city

Participation fee is:

- 79 euro for 3 HB (4 days, 3 nights with 2 meals per day - breakfast, dinner)

-  109 euro for 4 HB (5 days, 4 nights with 2 meals per day - breakfast ,dinner)

- 89 euro 3 FB per person (4 days, 4 nights with 3 meals per day (Full Board).

- 123 euro for 4 FB per person ( 5 days, 4 nights with 3 meals per day, breakfast, lunch and dinner) …

• 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)

• Hotel Montenegrin - hotel in the center of the city www.montenegrininn.com 

• Hotel De Luks Apartmant -  in the center of the city…

            Hotel Plaza - www.galebiplaza.com.mk - hotel on the lake

• 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 ( 24+1 and 48+2)

-         souvenir and gift for each group,

-         Welcome cocktail

-         Certificate for attendance,

-         drinks during the performance,

-         tourist guides for sightseeing of the town,

- advertising of the festival (press release,social media promotion, posters and flayers).

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 29 Euro per day per person HB and 33 for FB – price is special for the participants in festivals that we can provide. Tourist tax and insurance is 1 europer person and it is paid additional.

    After the festival finish organizers will send you link where you can take phots and viseod from the festival.

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 and we will organize  transport to 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 330  (children’s, youth and adults) participants from 7  countries of  Europe. 

In 2019 on this Festival participated over 380  (children’s, youth and adults) participants from 7  countries of  Europe. 

NUMBER OF SEATS IS LIMITED on 400 participants or 10 groups..

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Reviews from the groups: 

This festival has review of 7 groups and average estimation is VERY GOOD - 8,5/10