XI International festival “IN HONOR OF TSAR SAMOIL”
Location: OHRID, Macedonia
Director: Z.S.& WOFA
Application Deadline: 1 May, 2024
I N V I T A T I O N
With pleasure we INVITE you (Folk groups, Choral groups and orchestras majorette teams), (children, youth and adults groups) to participate on XI International festival “IN HONOR OF TSAR SAMOIL” 29 september- 02 October, Ohrid
The Festival light motive is to give honor of the day of death of the great Tscar Samoil 06 October 1014 year. Also, 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 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.
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
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 (2/3 of the participants must be 16 or younger), Youth ensembles (2/3 of the participants must be 25 or younger), adult ensembles(1/3 of the participants must be older than 25).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 50 members including dancers, managers and musicians
- Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 dances, 10-15 minutes each with orchestra or CD. 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
- Folklore groups should have there own transport for arrival and departure,
Program:
Day 1
13.00.Arrival in Ohrid, , hotel accommodation,
14.00 – 15.00 Lunch in hotel
19.00 – 20.00 Dinner in hotel
20.00. Meeting with director of the festival
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 …)
14.00 – 15.00 Lunch in hotel
18.00. Ensembles parade (old town)
18.30. 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 7 euros per person, lunch package),
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 Breakfast
11.00 Departure of the participants
OPTIONAL – If you stay more days…
Day 4
09.00 -10.00 Breakfast,
10.30 – 14.00 Visiting Struga city (house of Miladinovci brothers, river Crni Drim, Kalsita caves church……),
14.00 – 15.00 Lunch in hotel and free activities,
19.00 – 20.00 Dinner in hotel
21.00. – 00.00 Firewall party
Day 5
08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast,
09.00 – 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:
- 70 Euro 3 HB per person (3 nights with 2 meals per day (Half Board).
- 99 Euro 4 HB per person (4 nights with 2 meals per day)
- It covers hotel accommodation with 3 meals per day in 3*** hotels which are located in the center of the city, drivers and leaders in double rooms and others in triple and some quadriple rooms,
- On your request, You can continue your stay in Ohrid. Price will be 25 Euro per day per person HB – price is special for the participants in festivals that we can provide. Lunch is additional 9 euro
Hotels where groups will be accommodate are:
Hotel Montenegrin www.montenegrininn.com – hotel on the center
Hotel De Lux apartments - in the city of the center
You can see how was last year on our festivals in Ohrid on folowing link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFo9Rx6z_4U&t=1s
Festival organizers provide:
- for 22 dancers – one gratis,
- 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 promotions, 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.
After the festival finish organizers will send you link from photos where you can take . The copy right of all video materials and pictures are ownership of the Organization of 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 279 (children’s, youth and adults) participants from 9 countries of Europe.
---------------
NEWS FROM THE FESTIVAL Published on 07.10.2019
"SQUERE DANCING ON THE SATGE IN OHRID IN HONOR OF TSACAR SAMOIL"
International festival “In honor of Tscar Samoil” from 04-07 October is provide in Ohrid with participants of Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia..Festival was organized by WOFA and Youth Culture Center in Ohrid..Festival was dedicated to the death of Tscar Samoil - 06 October
On the festival evening director of the festival Mr Zoran Strezovski award the ensembles with sertificate and present on the stage..
During other days the ensembles had wonderful excursions by boat to St Naum and Ohrid sightseeing..Some moments (photos and videos) of festival evening in square in Ohrid on the link
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/1urNo0R4GIOqC6s74Bip4NO_GMr93oxoQ
NEWS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL Published on 08.10 2018
TSAR SAMOIL WAS HONORED IN OHRID FOR 11TH TIME
XI International festival "IN HONOR OF TSAR SAMOIL" was held from 4 to 7 October 2018, as 300 participants took part in it.
This is a festival in honor of Tsar Samoil. Ensembles danced and sang on 6 October in front of the Center of Culture "G Prlicev". During the other days, the groups discovered the wonderful town of Ohrid and the unique Ohrid Lake", informed the director Zoran Strezovski.
-----------------
Reviews from the groups:
This festival has review of 6 groups and average estimation is GOOD - 7,9/10