WorldFestivalAssociation

INVITATION

With pleasure we INVITE folk ensembles, choral groups, brass bands, orchestras, modern dance groups, majorette teams, and music bands (children, youth, and adult groups) to participate in the XII International Music & Dance Festival “FESTIVAL DAYS IN ISTRA” from 20–25 August or from 26–31 August 2025 in Pula, Rovinj, and Rijeka, Croatia. The festival’s goal is to present the cultural traditions of various countries, provide an opportunity for group members to build connections, and offer a platform for cultural presentation through dance and music.

 Festival Information

XII International Music & Dance Festival “FESTIVAL DAYS IN ISTRA”
24 - 28 Agust 2025
Pula, CROATIA
All Performing Arts
from €159

 Participation Information

Folk groups, vocal groups, orchestras, majorette teams, modern dance groups, art schools, choirs, and music bands from all over the world can participate. Each group should prepare a performance lasting 12–15 minutes, either with USB or orchestra. Participants must bring the flag of their country to display during the festival.

Participation is limited to groups of up to 60 people, including musicians, dancers, leaders, and family members, and only a maximum of 3 groups from each country will be accepted. Groups must submit a short CV and group photos via email for registration. Participants are responsible for their own transport for arrival and departure. For those traveling by plane, festival organizers can arrange transfers, with costs determined based on the number of participants.

 Accommodation Information

Participation fee is:
- 159 Euros per person for 3 nights (half board with 2 meals per day – open buffet, including drinks: non-alcoholic beverages and local beer for dinner)
- 208 Euros per person for 4 nights (half board with 2 meals per day – open buffet, including drinks: non-alcoholic beverages and local beer for dinner)
- 256 Euros per person for 5 nights (half board with 2 meals per day – open buffet, including drinks: non-alcoholic beverages and local beer for dinner)

Additional costs include double rooms at 11 Euros per person per day, and single rooms at 30 Euros per person per day. Accommodation is in a 3* Tourist resort Duga Uvala in standard rooms, with hotel’s own beach and swimming pools, and participants will be accommodated in triple and quadruple rooms.
http://hotel-duga-uvala-krnica.krnica.hotels-istria.net/en/

Tourist tax and insurance are an additional cost of €1.6 per person per day.

On your request, you can extend your stay in Istra for €49 per person per day (half board). This special price is arranged only for festival participants.

 Festival organizers provide:

For every 25 dancers, one participant stays free of charge.
Each group will receive a certificate of attendance, a souvenir and gift, drinks during the performance, free parking at the hotel, use of indoor and outdoor swimming pools, access to the hotel’s own beach, and promotion of the festival through press releases, social media, posters, and flyers.

Insurance: Personal responsibility and health insurance are the responsibility of each group. First Aid and Medical Hospital services will be available, but medical services must be covered by the groups themselves.

 Program Information

Day 1
14:00 – Arrival at the hotel, check-in, and free time for beach activities.
18:00–20:00 – Dinner at the hotel.
21:00 – Welcome meeting

Day 2
07:00–10:00 – Breakfast.
10:00–15:00 – Free time for beach activities or excursions.
18:30–20:00 – Dinner at the hotel.
21:00 – Free time.

Day 3
07:00–10:00 – Breakfast.
10:00–18:00 – Free time for beach activities or excursions.
18:00–20:00 – Dinner at the hotel.
21:00 – Festival evening.

Day 4
07:00–10:00 – Breakfast.
10:00–18:00 – Free time for beach activities or excursions.
18:00–20:00 – Dinner at the hotel.
21:00 – Integration of the groups at the hotel.

Day 5
07:00–10:00 – Breakfast.
11:00 – Departure.

Optional Additional Days (for groups extending stay):

Day 5
07:00–10:00 – Breakfast.
10:00–18:00 – Free time for beach activities or excursions.
18:00–20:00 – Dinner at the hotel.
21:00 – Free time in the city.

Day 6
07:00–10:00 – Breakfast.
12:00 – Departure.

 Excursions Information

Boat Excursions

Fish Picnic Cres Island: Departure from Rabac port (45 min drive from Duga Uvala). Duration: whole day from 10:00 to 17:00. Large boat for up to 160 people, with two decks, bar, and toilet. Includes grilled fish lunch (meat or vegetarian option available), salad, bread, 0.5L of wine, beer or juice, beach time at Dragozetići on Cres Island, music and animation on return, and sightseeing in Cres town. Bus transfer to Rabac is not included.

Panorama by Boat: Departure from Rabac port (45 min drive). Duration: 2 hours. A scenic ride along the Istrian Riviera and Kvarner Bay with views of Cres and Lošinj islands and hidden bays. Bus transfer to Rabac is not included.

Sightseeing Tours

Labin by Night: Medieval town of Labin (30 min drive). Includes guided tour, stories about history and architecture, and olive oil, wine, or grappa tasting. Bus transfer not included; minimum of 15 participants required.

Pula: City of Pula (30 min drive). Guided tour including the Arena amphitheater and Roman and Austro-Hungarian monuments, and possible street festivals. Entrance tickets and bus transfer not included; minimum of 15 participants required.

Rakalj Village: Small Istrian village (15 min drive). Includes a spectacular hill viewpoint, local heritage and culture presentation, and optional traditional food tasting at extra cost. Bus transfer not included; minimum of 15 participants required.

Gems of Istria: Visits to Rovinj, Poreč, Motovun, Svetvinčenat, and other locations. Includes tailored guided tours of coastal and inland villages, museums, and churches. Entrance tickets and bus transfer not included; minimum of 15 participants required.

National Park & Special Tours

Brijuni Croatian National Park: Departure from Fažana (45 min drive plus boat transfer included). Includes stunning nature, archaeological sites, and an open-air zoo. Bus transfer to Fažana not included; discounts available for children and elderly participants.

Other options:
Venice Boat Trip: Full day, higher cost.
Plitvice Lakes Trip: Full day, higher cost.