WorldFestivalAssociation

                                                            I N V I T A T I O N

 With pleasure we INVITE you (Folk Ensembles, Choral Groups,ballroom dance, art schools, modern baley, Majorette teams) (children, youth and adults groups) to participate on XXX Internatinal Dance & music festival “OHRID WINTER FESTIVAL” 20 - 23 February , 2025 Ohrid, Macedonia   

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.

 Ohrid – a mixture of rich history and modern life. Ohrid is an immortal town on the mythical Balkan, a magical hill of Macedonia whose primordial pulsation links ancient and modern times forever. Ohrid has been a living town for 2400 years, notable for having 365 churches, one for each day of the year, and is referred to as the Macedonian Jerusalem. Archaeological finds indicate that Ohrid is one of the oldest human settlements in all of Europe. The lake itself is over three million years old. Ohrid in the past was known as Lychnidos - or, “the city of light.” Only much later, in 879 CE, was it renamed Ohrid. The name probably derives from the phrase “Oh-rid” – meaning roughly, “Oh, what a cliff!” It comes from the time when the town was limited in a small area on the lake side of the hill, which in fact is a huge cliff rising above the lakeshore. The town as we know it today was built mostly between the 7-th and 19-th centuries. During the Byzantine period, Ohrid became a significant cultural and economic center, serving as an episcopal center of the Orthodox Church and as the site of the first Slavic university run by St. Kliment and St. Naum at the end of the 9th century. At the beginning of the 11-th century, Ohrid briefly became the capital of the kingdom ruled by Car Samuil, whose fortress still presides over the city today. In 1979 and in 1980, Ohrid and Lake Ohrid were accepted as a Cultural and Natural World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. In fact, Ohrid is one of only 28 sites that are part of UNESCO's World Heritage that are both Cultural and Natural sites.

 Lake Ohrid – The Lake That Leaves You Breathless Lake Ohrid is one of the world's oldest lakes, formed millions of years ago. Lake Ohrid rightly deserves the name “Macedonia’s freshwater sea”. Not only for its warm water blue colour, which gains its intensity from the sky blue colour, but because of its size, this lake gives an impression of being a sea. With its unique flora and fauna the lake is one of the largest biological reserves in Europe. The earliest scientific studies, undertaken in the course of the 19th century, showed that, as one of the oldest lakes in the world, it has preserved primeval life - forms which no longer exist in other places or only exist as fossils. The importance of the lake was further emphasized when it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979 and when, in 2010, NASA decided to name one of Titan's lakes after Lake Ohrid. Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s deepest and according to most experts the oldest lake in Europe. The importance of the lake was further emphasized when it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. Feel Ohrid for once in your life and you already know why you will return. Festival program will be held on the main square in Ohrid. 

General rules:

- Every group has the right to participate. No limit for participation (Children,Youth,Adults groups 

- This is a non-competitive sample of traditional and modern dances and music performed by  groups.

- The number of participants are limited (only 3  groups from each country).

- Each group should consist of most 60 members including dancers, managers musicians and family member.

- Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 folk dances 15 minutes each with orchestra or USB.

- The Choral groups - two parts from 12 - 18 minutes free program (one performance acapela in old city - churches and one performance on the stage with sound equpmant).

- 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:

 Day 1

13.00 - Arrival in Ohrid, hotel accommodation.

19.00 - 20.00 - Dinner in hotel.

21.00 - Welcome reception with leaders of the groups

 Day 2

08.00 - 10.00 - Breakfast.

10.00 - 14.00 - Ohrid sightseeing – visiting Ethno museum (1 euro), Visiting exhibition “Ohrid in past” with degustation of wine, rakija or soft drink, (1 euro), visiting cultural monuments (St.Sofia church, Samoil fortress – entres 1 euro, Antique theatre, Plaosnik- St.Kliment church – enter 1 euro, St. Kaneo church, Bridge of wishes).

18.00 - 19.00 - Dinner in hotel.

19.00 - Ensembles parade (old town).

20.00  - Official opening of the festival - festival evening 

 Day 3 

09.00 - 10.00 - Breakfast.

11.00 - 15.30 - 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, ).

18.00 - 19.30 - Dinner in hotel.

20.00 - Workshop (learning different dances ) or Macedonian evening party (optional).

Day 4

 09.00 - Breakfast.

11.00 - Departure of the participants.

Participation fee:

- 79 Euro per person for 3 nights Half board accommodation (breakfast and dinner)

It covers hotel accommodation with 2 or 3 meals per day ihotels which are located on the center in the city so do not need bus for enywhere

Visit:

Hotel "Montenegrin" (hotel on the Centre of the city) – www.montenegrininn.com 

Hotel Prestol - on the lake

Hotel "De Lux apartment" (in the centre of the city)

Festival organizers provide:

- For 24 dancers – one gratis;

- Souvenir and gift for each group;

- Certificate for attendance;

- Welcome cocktai;

- Drinks during the performance;

- guide  for festival;

- Free parking;

- Advertising of the festival (press release, e-flayers, FB promotion);

For the groups arriving by plane we will organize transfer from the Ohrid airport to the hotel free of charge.

 How was on the festival past years visit the link:

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFo9Rx6z_4U

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.

Tourist tax and insurance is 1 euro per person per day and it is additional.

After Groups arrived in Hotel will be given detailed program of the festival and each group will have guide during festival.

After the festival finish organizers will send you link of the fetsival from where you can take photos and videos.

On your request,  You can continue your stay in Ohrid. Price for additional HB is 29 for HB – price is special for the participants in festivals that we can provide. For additional days we will prepare special program for you. If you wish, we will include festival evening in other city.After Groups arrived in Hotel will be given detailed program of the festival.

HOW TO TRAVEL TO OHRID?  You can come by bus or by plane. WIzz Air has cheap flights to Ohrid airport from Vienna and Basel . 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 free of charge. 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. 

In 2017 on this Festival participated over 333 (children’s, youth and adults) from 8  countries of South – East and central Europe.

In 2018 on this Festival participated over 423 (children’s, youth and adults) from 9  countries of South – East and central Europe.

In 2019 on this Festival participated over 450 (children’s, youth and adults) from 10  countries of South – East and central Europe.

 Number of seats is limited on 400 participants or 10-12 groups

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NEWS ABOUT FESTIVAL                                                         Published on   2023   

THE FESTIVAL "OHRIDSKI DALGI" BRIHTENED UP THE MACEDONIAN TOWN

From 14 - 17 April 2023 was held the XII International festival  "Ohridski Dalgi  in Ohrid.

On the festival were participate over 300 participants from Poland,Bulgaria, Romania,Montenegro,Serbia,Croatia.....

Festival evening was held on the main squere  where the groups present different cultures and dances
After performances they receive sertificates and presents from director of the festival Mr Zoran Strezovski and dancing together on very famoues macedonian song Makedonsko devojce..; 

On 25th July the groups have the oprotunity to visit culture heritage of Ohrid city,  visit the beautiful monastery of Saint Naum with the boat ..

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Reviews from the groups: 

This festival has review of 9 groups and average estimation is VERY GOOD - 8,6/10