V. Balaton International Folk Festival at the „Hungarian Sea”
Location: Hungary- Siófok, Hungary
Director: K.A. & WOFA
Application Deadline: 5 January, 2025
I N V I T A T I O N
Lake Balaton
The “Hungarian Sea”, is the people’s name for the 50-mile long lake with silky green-yellow water in the middle of Transdanubia. Lake Balaton is one of Hungary’s most precious treasures and most frequented resorts. It is also the largest lake in Central Europe.
The region lying west of Lake Balaton occupies a unique place on the map of Hungary. Being the part of an important region from the point of view of tourism, that of Balaton, it is a favourite destination for both Hungarian and foreign tourists. As for its climate, it is a pleasant place, it may have the most predictable climatic character, and rarely do we have unsettled weather. As for the features of the terrain – it is Hungary on a small scale as tourists can find here gentle hills, extended flat plains, rivers, lakes.
The West-Balaton region offering so many pleasant features, it is easy and fast to get to the right spots, as all the traffic routes lead to the places where the curious visitor can find everything that interests him. House with a verandah; it is interesting that all rooms open on the verandah and there is a free chimney in the kitchen. The furniture of the house shows the lifestyle of a wealthy peasant. The exhibition of the House of Regional Traditions is completed by the collection of ethnography. From the look-out tower on Kőhegy you can enjoy a wonderful view of Lake Balaton and the local vineyards. The nearly 3 km long continuous grassy free beach on the lake shore with a wonderful panorama attracts many visitors. The safety of the bathers is guaranteed by the free medical service and a rescue team. In the peak season a free playing house is available for children. Parking is free in the whole territory of the village.
Siófok
Siófok is the largest town on the southern side of Lake Balaton and is known for being the party town of the lake. Its port serves every boat route on the lake. Cruise boats also start from here. The hotels of the Golden and Silver Beaches are very much in demand. The pleasant parks are ornamented with statues. The Lutheran church has a remarkable style. The composer of the internationally renowned operettas, Imre Kálmán (1882-1953), is the famous son of this city. His piano and many personal belongings can be seen in his museum. The Water Management Museum covers the history of shipping and fishery on Lake Balaton, while a huge collection of minerals is exhibited in the
Museum of Minerals.Keszthely, a city of grand town houses perched at the very western end of Lake Balaton is hands-down one of the loveliest spots to stay, far removed from the tourist hot spots on the lake. You can dip in its small, shallow beaches by day, absorb its lively yet relaxed ambience by night and get a dose of culture by popping into its handful of museums and admiring its historical buildings. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Festetics Palace, a lavish baroque home fit for royalty.
Participants:
- Folklore groups, orchestras, majorettes, modern dance groups, music bands from all over the world
- The number of the participants are not limited
- No age limits
- Number of seats are limited!
Participation fee:
- from 145 euro per person
Additional days can be booked on demand (the price depends on the type of
accommodation)
Participation fee includes:
* Accommodation
“Aranypart” mobile homes and holiday houses
https://aranypartcamping.hu/en/home-2-2/accommodation-types-2/mobile-and-
holiday-house/
Rosa Holiday House
145 euro per person
The 8-person two-storey holiday houses have a semi-covered terrace (with garden
furniture), 4 double bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, living room, SAT-TV, equipped
kitchenette, gas stove, 170l refrigerator and 2 shower / WC.
In the kitchen there is a gas cooker, 170 liters refrigerator with freezer, filter coffee
maker, dishes and cooking pots.
Based areas: Max. number of people: 8, Max. number of vehicles: 2, Free parking
place: 2. Bedroom 1: 1 Double bed (on the floor,). Bedroom 2, 3, 4: 3x2 db single
bed.
Carmen Holiday House
169 euro per person
One-storey holiday homes have a semi-covered terrace (with garden furniture), 2
double bedrooms with built-in wardrobes, living room with extra bed, SAT-TV,
kitchenette (coffee maker, gas stove, fridge) and shower / WC.
The holiday home has a kitchen with a gas hob, a 120 l refrigerator with freezer, a
filter kettle, dishes and cooking pots.
Number of beds, types: Bedroom: pull-out sofa set (max. 1 of people). Bedroom
number of 2: 2x2 single bed (telescopic).
Based areas: Max. number of people: 5, Max. number of vehicles: 2, Free parking
places: 1
Sun Cool mobile house
185 euro per person
The fully furnished and equipped mobile home has two bunks, a living room with
dining area which can be converted into a bed, a kitchen, a shower, a toilet and a
terrace with garden furniture. The mobile home is equipped with air conditioning.
Well-equipped kitchen: In the kitchen part of the mobile house, our camping guests
will find everything needed during their stay: hotplates, a microwave, a fridge with a
freezer compartment, dishes and cooking pots.
Parking possibility: directly at the mobile houses and in the designated parking area
nearby.
Place available: Rooms (living room + 2 bedroom): 3 • Maximum number of people: 6
(4 adults + 2 kids; or 5 adults) • Living room: fold-out sofa suite, Bedroom: 1 double
bed, 2 single bed • 1 Free parking place
Carmen Plus mobile house
197 euro per person
This fully furnished and well-equipped mobile house has two sleeping chambers, a
living room with a dining corner set (that can be turned into a bed for two), a kitchen,
a bathroom with shower and a toilet. There is a roofed terrace with outdoor furniture
in front of the house. The mobile house has an air conditioner.
In the kitchen: part of the mobile house, our camping guests will find everything
needed during their stay: hotplates, a microwave, a fridge with a freezer
compartment, dishes and cooking pots.
Place available: Number of people: 5, Number of vehicles: 2,
Free parking place: 1
Eurocomfort mobile house
197 euro per person
This mobile house is ideal if you are on holiday with family or friends. Due to the
extensive equipment of the mobile houses, visitors will have everything available for
a pleasant vacation. The big terrace with a direct panorama view onto Lake Balaton
is suitable for families and circles of friends.
This fully furnished and well-equipped mobile house has two sleeping chambers, a
living room with a corner set (that can be turned into a bed for two), a dinette, a
kitchen, a bathroom with shower and a toilet. There is a roofed terrace with outdoor
furniture in front of the house.
The mobile home is equipped with air conditioning.
Place avaible: Rooms (living room+ 2 bedroom) of number: 3 • Number of people: 6
(4 adults + 2 kids or 5 adults) • Living room: pull-out sofa, bedroom: 1 double bed, 2
db single bed • 1 Free parking place
3* Hotel
Hotel Renegade https://renegadehotel.hu/en/
185 euro per person in triple, quadruple rooms, supplement for a double room is 10
euro per person per day, supplement for a single room is 20 euro per person per day
Hotel Lido https://hotel-siofok.com/our-hotel-gallery/
197 euro per person in triple rooms, supplement for a double room is 10 euro per
person per day, supplement for a single room is 20 euro per person per day
Hotel Carpe Diem https://hotelcarpediem.hu/en/content/about-us
197 euro per person in triple, quadruple rooms, supplement for a double room is 10
euro per person per day, supplement for a single room is 20 euro per person per day
* Meals: half board for the whole festival (2 meals per day)
* Diplomas and gifts from the city
* Official invitation
Participation fee does not include
*Transport
*Optional programs
*Insurance
*Tourist tax: 2 euro per person per day, payment on the spot
Program:
- 5 September
Afternoon arrival at the Hotel, meeting with group leaders and festival organizers,
discussing the programs of the next days.
Dinner in the Hotel.
- 6 September
After breakfast optional program, boat trip on Lake Balaton
Beach time: Siófok Beach is the main reason for visiting this town. With famous Gold
and Silver beaches Siófok become one of the most visited place at the shore. The
lake itself is very beautiful, but not deep witch suit for non-swimmers.
Performance on the main square of Siófok
Closing ceremony, receiving the gift and diplomas from the city and the organizers
Dinner, free time, exploring the night-life in Siófok where many bars, pubs and discos
are available all night long
- 7 September
After breakfast optional program, sightseeing in Siófok, Water Tower, Rose Garden,
Millennium Park, Jókai Park, Siófok Harbour, Weather Observatory, Canal Locks,
Imre Kálmán Museum, Mineral Museum, Egg Museum.
Sightseeing in Zamárdi: Donkey Stone, Kőhegyi lookout point, Jubilee Monumentor,
visiting some attractions of the neighborhood:
Tihany peninsula: The Tihany peninsula, which once was an island and only after
the water level of the lake decreased joined the mainland, is one of the most beautiful
regions of the lake, and it is no exaggeration to say, of the whole country, and
besides the stunning landscape it has got on a few square kilometers unique
geological, botanical, zoological and historical records.
Dinner, free time
- 8 September
Breakfast, departure of the participants
NUMBER OF SEATS IS LIMITED!
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NEWS OF THE FESTIVAL: Published on 26 June 2019
THE FESTIVAL "ST IVAN’S DAYS" WELCOMED PARTICIPANTS FROM 4 COUNTRIES
From 22 to 25 June near the Balaton Lake in the Hungarian town of Keszthelywas held the second edition of the festival "St. Ivan's Day". Five folk dance, singing and music groups from Serbia, Ukraine, Senegal and Macedonia participated in this festival, informed director of the festival.
"Keszthely, a city of grand town houses perched at the very western end of Lake Balaton is hands-down one of the loveliest spots to stay, far removed from the tourist hot spots on the lake. You can dip in its small, shallow beaches by day, absorb its lively yet relaxed ambience by night and get a dose of culture by popping into its handful of museums and admiring its historical buildings. Whatever you do, don’t miss the Festetics Palace, a lavish baroque home fit for royalty.This beautiful environment made this festival unique, where the five participants group from Serbia, Ukraine, Senegal and Macedonia had the opportunity to enjoy a pleasant boat trip, sightseeing tours, museums during the day and show their art to the locals and tourist in the evenings. The organizers and the city definitely want to continue this festival in the next year." informed director of the festival.
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Reviews from the groups:
This festival has review of 7 groups and average estimation is VERY GOOD - 8,4/10