WorldFestivalAssociation

                   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 XXI International Music & Folk - dance festival “DURRES MUSIC FEST ” 17 - 21  June, 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,Ballroom dance teams,modern dance,art schools, majorette teams...

- 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 5 photos of the group,

-         To take a flag of the country,

-  Groups should have there own transport for arrival and departure,

                                       Program

Day 1

  13.00.Arrivalin Durres,  hotel accommodation and  free time (beach time)

18.00 – 19.00 Dinner (buffet) in hotel

        21.00 Welcome reception with leaders of the groups

.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

   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 ( entrance 2 euro)   

18.00 – 20.00  Dinner - buffet in hotel

21.00 Workshop - learning different dances

 Day 4   

 09.00 -10.00 Breakfast - buffet

  10.30 – 15.00 Beach time or Visiting of the history city Kruje and  historic monuments and museum ( entrance 2 euro)   

17.00 – 18.00  Dinner - buffet in hotel

21.00 Party with all participants around the swimming pool

   Day 5 

   09.00 – 11.00 Breakfast - buffet

11.00 Departure of the participants 

Participation fee:

- 129 euro for 3 HB per person (3 nights with 2 meals) 

-   154 euro for 4 HB per person  (4 nights with 2 meals (open buffet) .

Hotel accommodation in 5* hotel Bonita www.hotelbonita.al

Hotel Bonita is 5* hotel and has outdoor swiming pool ,own beach and spa centar with gym..Accommodation is in double rooms for leader and drivers (additional double rooms are on the request and it is additional 15 euro per person per day)  and triple rooms  

Some moments from the past festivals 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 media promotions, 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 HB  .

    After the festival finish organizers will send you link where you can see and take the photos and videos from the performances Tourist tax and insurance is 1 euro per person per day and it is additional paymant.

   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 or you can come by Wizz Air on Ohrid airport  (Macedonia) and we can arrange transfer to Durres city

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 15 groups from 11 EU country with 600 participants.

NUMBER OF SEATS IS LIMMITED on 400 or 10 groups!

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    NEWS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL                               Published on 25.06.2019

FESTIVAL MOOD IN THE ALBANIAN TOWN OF DURRES HAS CONTINUED WITH THE NEXT EDITION OF "DURRES MUSIC FESTIVAL"

From 04-08 September in Durres, Albania was held XI International Music and dance festival “DURES FESTIVAL DAYS”..
On the festival were participate 10 ensembles with 300 participants..

Participants were accommodate in 5*hotel Bonita ( with outdoor swimming pool on the beach) Visit www.hotelbonita.al
Festival evening was held on the main square in Durres on 21 June where the festival was open by director of the festival Mr Zoran Strezovski..he wish them welcome in beautiful Dures and wish them wonderful performances..

International folklore dance and music festival  "Durres Music Festival" was held from 20-24 June 2021 in Durres, Albania. More than 300 performers, members of 10 ensembles presented their music and dance program on the main square in Durres. 

During the first festival evening on 21 and 22 June, organizer of the festival welcomed all the attendees. After the groups performances, each of them were awarded with certificates and gifts. There were journalists who captured moments from the event. 

On 6th September, the groups enjoyed a special party, where they made a lot of new friends and memories. Festival in Durres was supported by the Municipality.Festival was visited of many spectators and tourist but also msny mediums- TV and newspapers which made reportage for the festival..
Festival was organized by World Festival Association-WOFA and local municipality of Durres..Some moments of the festival (photo and video) on link: 

https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/0B8As_IOFIAl5MGdkU3ViaXhhQ2c

NEWS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL                                   Published on 26 June 2018

 MORE THAN 600 PERFORMERS FROM 5 COUNTRIES TOOK PART IN THE FESTIVAL "DURRES MUSIC FESTIVAL" IN DURRES

International folk - dance & music festival "DURRES MUSIC FESTIVAL" was held from 21-25 Junein Durres (Albania). The festival was attended by 600 participants from Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Croatia, said the organizer of the festival Zoran Strezovski. 

"On 21 June was held welcome reception with leaders of the groups where director of the festival welcomed them in Durres and wished wonderful festival days. On 22 June was held main festival evening on the main square in Durres where ensembles dance and sing in front of audience. On 23 June was held final party with all participants in hotel Bonita where they received certificates and presents for their performances ...after that they have party together till midnight. During the day they had opportunity to visit Durres and also to swim in the sea.", said Zoran Strezovski.

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Reviews from the groups:  

This festival has review of 9 groups and average estimation is EXELLENT  - 9,2/10