XXI International Music & Dance festival FESTIVAL DAYS IN DURRES
Location: DURRES, Albania
Director: Z.S. & WOFA
Application Deadline: 15 July, 2025
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 XXXI International Music, Art fine & Folk - dance festival “FESTIVAL DAYS IN DURRES” 11 -15 September, Durres, Albania
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.
Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about 33 km, west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically significant cities of Albania. Durrës is home to Albania’s main port, the Port of Durrës, and to the newest public university, the Aleksandër Moisiu University.Durrës is an important link to Western Europe due to its port and its proximity to the Italian port cities, notably Bari, to which daily ferries run. As well as the dockyard, it also possesses an important shipyard and manufacturing industries, notably producing leather, plastic and tobacco products. Some important buildings in Durrës include the main library, the cultural center with the Aleksandër Moisiu Theatre, the Estrada Theater, the puppet theater, and the philharmonic orchestra. There are also several museums such as the Durrës Archaeological Museum, Royal Villa of Durrës and the Museum of History (the house of Aleksandër Moisiu).
The city hosts the Durrës Ancient City Wall called also Durrës Castle while the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans is located in the city close to the harbor. This first-century construction is currently under consideration for inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The southern coastal stretch is renowned for its traditional mass beach tourism having experienced uncontrolled urban development. The city’s beaches are also a popular destination for many foreign and local tourists, with an estimated 800,000 tourists visiting annually. Many tourist from Europe spend their summer vacations on the beaches of Durrës. In contrast, the northern coastal stretch is mostly unspoiled and set to become an elite tourism destination as a number of beach resorts are being built since 2009. Neighboring districts are known for the production of good wine and a variety of foodstuffs.
Festival program will be held on the main square in Durres.
General rules :
- is a non-competitive sample of traditional and modern dances, brass bands, orchestras, modern dance groups, choral groups, majorette teams, instrumental groups and soloists, as well as groups and performers from other art styles.
- Every Folklore,Choral group, majorette Team has the right to participate. Children's ensembles Youth ensembles adult ensembles
- 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 folk dances, 10-15 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
12.09. Day 1
13.00.Arrivalin Durres, hotel accommodation in Bonita hotel 5* and free time (beach time)
18.00 – 19.00 Dinner (buffet) in hotel
21.00 Welcome meeting with leaders of the groups
13.09. Day 2
09.00 -10.00 Breakfast - buffet
11.00 -15.00 Visit – sightseeing Durres
18.00 - 19.00 Dinner – buffet in hotel
19.30 – 23.00 Defile on the main street to the square where it will be held the Opening of the First Festival Evening, where the participants will present their culture ,tradition ,songs and dances of their country and Festival evening on the square - each participant group to prepare programme in time of 12-15 minutes
14.09 Day 3
09.00 -10.00 Breakfast - buffet
10.30 – 15.00 Beach time or Visiting of the history city Kruje and historic monuments and museum
18.00 – 20.00 Dinner - buffet in hotel
21.00 Party in hootel
15.09 Day 4
09.00 -10.00 Breakfast - buffet
10.30 – 15.00 Beach time or Visiting Tirana
17.00 – 18.00 Dinner - buffet in hotel
21.00 -23.00 Discotheque with all participants in hotel
16.09.Day 5
09.00 – 11.00 Breakfast - buffet
11.00 Departure of the participants
OPTIONAL – If you stay more days…
16.09.Day 5
09.00 -10.00 Breakfast,
10.30 – 14.00 Visiting Tirana city or free time on the beach
19.00 – 20.00 Dinner in hotel
21.00. – 00.00 Free night in Durres
17.09. Day 6
08.00 – 09.00 Breakfast,
09.00 – 11.00 Departure
Participation fee:
- 138 euro for 3 HB per person (3 nights with 2 meals)
- 178 euro for 4 HB per person (4 nights with 2 meals)
It covers hotel accommodation with 2 meals per day in 5* HOTEL BONITA (hotel resort on the beach WITH OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL , own beach www.hotelbonita.al in double and triple rooms)...Hotel see resort situated on the famous sands beach..(only our association has right for this hotel)
Additional double rooms are on request and additional paymant of 10 euro per person per day..
Video from the past festivals in Durres you can find of this link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_2WBw9nwMM
Festival organizers provide:
- for 25 dancers – one gratis,
- souvenir and gift for each group,
- Certificate for attendance,
- Welcome reception,
- drinks during performance
- free parking
- advertising of the festival (press release,social meda promotios, 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.
On your request, You can continue your stay in Dures. Price will be 39 Euro per day per person HB and price is special for the participants in festivals that we can provide. Tourist tax in hotels in Albania is 1 euro per person per day and it is additional paymant.
After the festival finish organizers will send you link of photos and video where you can take ..
The festival will organize the transport for the groups coming by plane by picking them up from Tirana Airport. The cost of the transportation will be covered by the group and will be additionally agreed according to their number.o you can come by Wizz air in Ohrid airport (Macedonia) and we can arrange transfer for you.
In 2017 on the festival were participated 10 groups from 8 EU country with 377 participants.
In 2018 on the festival were participated 11 groups from 9 EU country with 414 participants.
In 2019 on the festival were participated 12 groups from 9 EU country with 600 participants.
NUMBER OF SEATS IS LIMITED.
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NEWS ABOUT FESTIVAL Published on 17.09 2019
"GREAT FESTIVAL MOOD ON THE FESTIVAL IN DURRES"
From 12 - 16 September in very famoues tourist place Durres, Albania was held XI International music and folk dance festival Durres Festival Days"
On the festival participated 7 groups ( folk dance ensembles and choir groups) with over 400 participants from Poland,Bulgaria,Latvia,Estonia..Festival was organized by World Festival Association - WOFA with support of Municipality of Durres, and Center of Culture in Durres..
Festival evening was held on the main squere in Durres in front of Center of culture on 20 of June where director of the festival Mr.Zoran Strezovski wish them welcome on the festival and open the festival..
After performances the groups were awarded with sertificates but also with huge aplause from audience on the squere ..On 21 june was realised closing party at wonderful hotel and resort Bonita where all participnts dancing together untill midnight..
During the days participants visited Durres city, swimming in very hot sea and enjoy near the pool of hotels..
Some moments from the festival (photo and videos)
https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/0B8As_IOFIAl5MGdkU3ViaXhhQ2c
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Reviews from the groups:
This festival has review of 8 groups and average estimation is EXELLENT- 9,2/10