WorldFestivalAssociation

INVITATION

Welcome to the XXII International Folk-Dance & Music Festival “OHRID FEST”, which will take place from 2–6 July 2025 in Ohrid, Macedonia.
Open to folk ensembles, choral groups, majorette teams, orchestras, ballroom dancing groups, modern dance groups, vocal groups, instrumental groups, and soloists, this non-competitive festival offers a unique opportunity for cultural exchange through dance and music in one of the Balkans' most beautiful historical cities

 Festival Highlights

Present your cultural traditions and build friendships through music and dance.
Enjoy evening open-air performances and parades in Ohrid’s historic old town, with special awards for the best girls’ and men’s folk costumes and the best dancing couple.
Participants will receive the WOFA Certificate, souvenirs, and official festival photos.
In addition to performances, explore Ohrid’s rich cultural heritage, monuments, and natural beauty through guided excursions and boat trips

Participation Details

Eligibility:
The festival is open to children’s ensembles (where at least two-thirds of participants are aged 16 or younger), youth ensembles (two-thirds of participants aged 25 or younger), and adult ensembles (where at least one-third are over 25).
Each group should consist of no more than 50 members, including dancers, musicians, and managers.

Groups must prepare at least two folk dances lasting 12–18 minutes each, performed live or on USB.
Choral groups should prepare two performances of 12–18 minutes: one a cappella in Ohrid’s historic churches and one with sound equipment on stage.
This festival is a non-competitive celebration of traditional and modern dance and music.

Groups must send a short CV and photos for promotion and bring their national flag.
Performances are held in the evening so that groups can use daytime hours for sightseeing and excursions.
Every group is responsible for its own transport to and from Ohrid.

 Application Requirements

Groups must complete and submit the application form.
A 30% deposit is required upon confirmation (non-refundable).
Final payment deadline is 12 June 2025.
Number of participating groups is limited to three per country, so early application is advised.

 Accommodation & Participation Fee

To provide a comfortable stay, the festival offers several accommodation options in city-center and lakeside hotels.

Hotel Delago & District Villa (strict center, double rooms, limited availability):
Bed & Breakfast options:

• 3 nights / 4 days: 99 € per person
• 4 nights / 5 days: 132 € per person
• 5 nights / 6 days: 164 € per person

Additional days: 35 € per person per day.

Half Board options (breakfast and dinner):

• 3 nights / 4 days: 114 € per person
• 4 nights / 5 days: 149 € per person
• 5 nights / 6 days: 189 € per person

Additional days: 40 € per person per day.

Bus parking: 20 € per day.

Hotel Desaret & International (3-star lakeside hotel with outdoor pool):
Half Board:

• 3 nights / 4 days: 119 € per person
• 4 nights / 5 days: 144 € per person
• 5 nights / 6 days: 179 € per person

Additional days: 36 € per person per day.

Full Board (breakfast, lunch, and dinner):

• 3 nights: 128 € per person
• 4 nights: 159 € per person
• 5 nights: 194 € per person

Additional days: 41 € per person per day.

For extra double room accommodation, there is an additional cost of 8 € per person per day.

Hotel Mizo (lakeside):
Bed & Breakfast:

• 3 nights / 4 days: 104 € per person
• 4 nights / 5 days: 136 € per person
• 5 nights / 6 days: 164 € per person

Additional days: 33 € per person per day.

Half Board:

• 3 nights / 4 days: 119 € per person
• 4 nights / 5 days: 154 € per person
• 5 nights / 6 days: 189 € per person

Additional days: 36 € per person per day.

Hotel De Luks Apartments:
Half Board:

• 3 nights: 89 € per person
• 4 nights: 114 € per person

Full Board:

• 3 nights: 104 € per person
• 4 nights: 134 € per person

Other central 3 and 4-star hotels, such as Hotel Tino Sveti Stefan and Hotel Prestol, are also available on request. Prices depend on the chosen hotel and room configuration.

For any extra double room, groups should pay an extra 10 € per person per day, and for a single room, an additional 20 € per person per day.
Tourist tax is 1 € per person per day, paid additionally.

Participation Fee Includes

One free package for every 25 dancers, souvenirs and gifts for each group, welcome cocktail for group leaders, certificate of attendance, drinks during performances and festival promotion (posters, flyers, and social media).

 Insurance

Personal responsibility and health insurance are the responsibility of the groups.
First aid and hospital services will be available, but medical costs must be covered by the group.

 Transport

The festival will organize free transfers for groups arriving at Ohrid Airport to their hotels and back.
For groups arriving at Skopje, Tirana, or Thessaloniki airports (around 200 km from Ohrid), the cost of transport will be covered by the groups, and the festival team will assist in organizing transfers.
The festival can also help with visa procedures if needed.

 Festival Program

Day 1 (2 July 2025):
Arrival in Ohrid, hotel accommodation, lunch and dinner at the hotel, and a welcome reception with group leaders.

Day 2:
Breakfast, guided sightseeing tour of Ohrid’s historical monuments (St. Sofia Church, Samoil Fortress, Plaosnik, and more), lunch, dinner, evening parade in the old town, official festival opening, welcome speech, open-air performance, and dancing together.

Day 3:
Breakfast, boat cruise on Ohrid Lake to St. Naum Monastery (includes lunch packet, cost 14 € per person), dinner, second festival evening or optional workshop on learning different dances.

Day 4:
Breakfast, visit to Stara Carsija, the oldest tree “Cinar,” Biljanini springs, Ohrid pearl workshop, or visit to Struga city, dinner, closing ceremony with certificate and gift exchange, disco party and wine tasting.

Day 5:
Breakfast and departure of participants.

Optional extra days:
Additional excursions to Struga and Skopje with guided tours. Prices for extra days range from 26–39 € per person per day, depending on the hotel.

Detailed daily programs will be provided to each group upon arrival.

 Excursions Info

Ohrid is a popular tourist destination with vibrant nightlife, restaurants, and cultural sites.
Festival excursions include sightseeing of Ohrid’s monuments, a boat cruise to St. Naum Monastery, and optional visits to Struga and Skopje with historic and cultural highlights.

 Application & Payment Details

Application form submission is required.
A 30% deposit is payable upon confirmation and is non-refundable.
Final payment deadline: 12 June 2025.
Participation must be confirmed before the registration deadline.

 Join Us for an Unforgettable Festival in Ohrid!

Celebrate tradition, create lasting friendships, and experience the beauty and history of Macedonia through dance, music, and cultural exchange.