WorldFestivalAssociation

                                          I N V I T A T I O N

We are inviting you to the  International Folkore Festival in Istanbul  From   29 April - 02 May 2023.

 Participating ensembles are coming from Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Italy, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Armenia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Slovenia,Macedonia.

Day 1 - Scheduled arrival in the Turkey’s biggest city – Istanbul. Upon arrival, there will be an optional city sightseeing tour (circular bus tour) that includes: the Golden Horn waterway, crossing over to Asia via the  Bosphorus Bridge, visiting Camlica - the most beautiful viewpoint in the city Besiktas, Dolmabahçe Palace, Taksim and Beyoglu, Galata Bridge and Tower, the Historical Peninsula, the Sea of Marmara… Afterwards we will check into the hotel, have a meeting of group representatives and spend the night.

Day 2 - Breakfast. After breakfast we will organize an optional sightseeing of Istanbul’s historic core with travel guides provided in group languages visiting: the pedestrian zone, the Grand Bazaar, the Hippodrome, the Blue Mosk, Hagia Sophia (inside visit), Topkapi Palace – the former residence of the Ottoman emperors and now one of world’s richest museums, Gulhane Park. Free time for individual activities or shopping at the Grand Bazaar (Kapalı Çarşı). Return to the hotel. Spend the night at the hotel.

Day 3 – Breakfast. A day dedicated to festival activities. Performance rehearsals. Sound checks. Openining of I International Folklore Festival in Istanbul !!!  Performances of the cultural-artistic ensembles. Diploma presentation. After the Festival there is an option to organize a final hangout in the evening for all Festival participants. Going back to the hotel for the overnight stay.

Day 4 – Breakfast. Leaving the hotel. Free time or an optional Joyful  Istanbul tour of the Miniaturk parkat the shoreof Golden Horn. The park featuresthe models of 135 of the most iconic structures in Istanbul and Turkey, made in 1:25 scale. Afterwards we will cross to the other side of the GoldenHorn, to the picturesque neighbourhood of Balat, known for its colourful facades, and the Fener neighbourhood, the home of The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople. As the final partof the program, we will organize an optional afternoon tour which includes: Bosphoruscruise tour taking youon a boat trip between Europe and Asia with a tour guide provided. Departure from Istanbul is scheduled for the afternoon Leaving the hotel and unfortunately moving of all ensembles back to their arrival point of departure with another meeting next year !!!!!!.

The price for staying at hotels:

• 105 Euro per person
• Hotel Sorriso ****, Hotel Sorriso Due ****
• Hotel Holiday Inn (Sisli) *****
• 95 Euro per person
• Hotel Sahinler ***
• Hotel Golden Way Giyimkent *****…
• Оn each 25 persons, 26th is free of charge

Participation fee includes:

• Accomodation in 3/4/5 star hotels like: Hotel Sahinler ***, Hotel Golden Way Giyimkent ****, Hotel Sorisso ****, Hotel Sorisso Due ****, Hotel Holiday Inn (Sisli) *****… for 3 nights with breakfast in triple and quadruple rooms (with the option to pay extra 5 Euro per person per night for a double room).
• - diplomas

- Invitation letter

The arrangement does not include:

- The extra charge for dinner is 7 -8 € per person per night, depends of Hotel

- Optional tours (from 5 € tour of Istanbul depending on thenumber of applicants, the visit to Istanbul’s historic core: the Grand Bazaar, Hippodrome, Blue Mosk, Hagia Sophia, Topkapi Palace (without the entry ticket) – from 10 €;

Joyful Istanbul: Miniaturk (miniature Turkey) + Balat (colourful facades) and Fener (The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople) - from 10 € depending on the number of applicants,

Bosphorus cruise between Europe and Asia – from 20 €.

- Insurance, Travel costs, hotel parking, vignettes, tolls…

Note: all ensembles need to provide their own music, either by bringing an orchestra or a USB with their music.

Each ensemble is required to prepare a 5-15 minute performance.