XXXI International Festival for Dance & Songs “OHRID MUSIC FEST”
Location: OHRID-STRUGA, Macedonia
Director: Z.S. & WOFA
Application Deadline: 5 January, 2025
I N V I T A T I O N
With pleasure we INVITE you (folk groups, Choral groups and orchestras majorette teams), (children, youth and adults groups) to participate on XXXI International Music& dance festival “OHRID MUSIC FEST” 20 - 24 June 2024, Ohrid
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.
Ancient ruins, beautiful amphitheatre, 3 citadel walls, St.Sofia Cathedral, St.Jovan Kaneo church, an important pilgrimage place. Breathtaking setting on a plateau over Ohrid Lake and Galicica mountain towering from behind. St.Naum monaster (one of the most beautiful monasteries in Macedonia) was founded in the 910 by St.Naum, but the present-day church was built in the 16th c. Of the original church just the side chapel with the grave of St.Naum still stands), gallery of exclusive icons, museums, workshops for hand-made paper, woodcarving and famous Ohrid pearls, are among hundreds sites for tourists worth to visit. There is also a strong Roman connection to the city, since Lychnidos was along the famous route Via Egnatia, build in the 2nd century B.C., connecting the Adriatic and Aegean sea. Considering the number of churches located in the Old town (365 churches according to the immemorial legend, for local people to celebrate every single day by honouring another saint), Ohrid is called “the Balkan Jerusalem”, successfully playing the role as the biggest pilgrimage spot for all the Orthodox Christians in the world.
Today Ohrid is a cultural, spiritual and tourist centre. And finally, as the crowning glory of its values, Ohrid and Lake Ohrid have been named a world cultural and natural heritage listed city under the protection of UNESCO since 1980.
Feel Ohrid for once in your life and you already know why you will return.
MORE PHOTOS FROM THE FESTIVAL LAST YEAR YOU CAN SEE ON LINK: https://youtu.be/MK85OjLZMds
General rules :
- is a non-competitive sample of traditional and modern dances, choral groups and majorette teams.
- Every Folklore,Choral group and majorette Teams has the right to participate. Children's ensembles Youth and adults ensembles .On the festival may participate folklore dance groups, modern dance groups, vocal groups, instrumental groups and soloists, as well as groups and performers from other art styles. .
- The number of participants are limited (only 3 groups from each country),
- Each group should consist of most 50 members including dancers, managers and musicians,
- Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 dances, 10-15 minutes each with orchestra or USB. 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.
- To send us short CV and 2 – 3 photos of the group,
- To take a flag of the country,
- Groups should have there own transport for arrival and departure,
Program Proposal
Day 1
13.00.Arrivalin Ohrid, , hotel accommodation,
14.00 – 15.00 Lunch in hotel
19.00 – 20.00 Dinner in hotel
20.00. Welcome reception and meeting with leaders of the groups
Day 2
09.00 -11.00 Breakfast,
10.00 -13.00 Ohrid sightseeing – visiting cultural monuments (St.Sofia church, Samoil fortress, Antique theatre, Plaosnik, St. Kaneo church, Bridge of wishes …)
14.00 – 15.00 Lunch in hotel
18.00- 19.00 Dinner in hotel
19.15. Ensembles parade (old town)
19.30. Official opening of the festival
- welcome speech and firewall
- open air performance
- Dancing together
Day 3
09.00 -10.00 Breakfast,
10.00 – 15.00 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, lunch package),
18.00 – 19.00 Dinner in hotel
21.00 Macedonian evening party or Workshop learning different dances
Day 4
09.00 -10.00 Breakfast,
11.00 – 14.00 Visiting Struga city ( Kalista cave, old bazaar..)
14.00 - 15.00 Lunch in hotel and free time
18.00 – 19.00 Dinner in hotel
21.00. – 00.00 Firewall party, Social events, exchange presents, disco party with all participants with soft drinks for the children and vine for adults
Day 5
09.00 Breakfast
11.00 Departure of the participants
Participation fee with acommodation is:
- To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay in the festival yas, WOFA offers several accommodation options.
- Choose from our top-tier city-center hotels or lakeside properties, each offering different board options to fit your needs.
Suggested Accommodation:
1. Hotel Delago & District Villa (MAIN SUGGESTION FOR BEST ACCOMMODATION IN STRICT CENTER)
- Located just 100 meters from Ohrid’s main square, Hotel Delago & District Villa offers 4-star comfort with double rooms and top-quality breakfast & dinner options.
- Availability is limited!
- Double rooms accommodation!
*rooms will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
More about Hotel Delago & District Villa
Pricing Options: (BB)
- 3 Nights/ 4 days (BB): 94€ per person (Bed & Breakfast)
- 4 Nights/ 5 days (BB): 124€ per person
- 5 Nights/ 6 days (BB): 149€ per person
(HB)
- 3 Nights/ 4 days (HB): 106€ per person (Half Board - 2 meals/day)
- 4 Nights/ 5 days (HB): 139€ per person
- 5 Nights/ 6 days (HB): 169€ per person
2. Hotel Desaret
- An exclusive 3-star lakeside hotel with an outdoor swimming pool. Hotel Desaret features open buffet meals and is partially renovated for added comfort. It is 14.2 kilometers from the main square of the city.
- 3 Nights (HB): 99€ per person (Half Board - 2 meals/day)
- 4 Nights (HB): 119€ per person
- 3 Nights (FB): 117€ per person (Full Board - 3 meals/day)
- 4 Nights (FB): 137€ per person
3. Hotel De Luks Apartments
- Ideal for those seeking a longer stay, Hotel De Luks offers meals included in both Half Board and Full Board packages.
Pricing Options:
- 3 Nights (HB): 82€ per person (Half Board - 2 meals/day)
- 4 Nights (HB): 109€ per person
- 3 Nights (FB): 99€ per person (Full Board - 3 meals/day)
- 4 Nights (FB): 129€ per person
4. Additional Central 3 & 4-Star Hotels
- For a wider selection, these centrally located hotels offer various room configurations (double, triple, and quadruple). Price information is available upon completion of the application form.
- Hotel Plaza – Visit Hotel Plaza (Lakefront)
- Hotel Internacional – Visit Hotel Internacional
- Hotel Montenegrin – Visit Hotel Montenegrin
Festival organizers provide:
- for 24 dancers – one free,
- souvenir and gift for each group,
- Welcome cocktail
- Certificate for attendance,
- drinks during the performance,
- guides for the festival,
- advertising of the festival (press relese, social media promotion,posters and flayers).
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 Ohrid. Price will be 33 Euro per day per person FB and 28 euro for HB – price is special for the participants in festivals that we can provide for wonderful hotel resort Desaret on the lake.
After the festival finish organizers will send you link of the festival where you can find and take photos and videos..
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. 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.
Also, you can arrive in Ohrid airport and we will organize transport to hotel free of charge.
NUMBER OF SEATS ARE IMITED ON 400 participants or 10
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NEWS ABOUT THE FESTIVAL
300 PERFORMERS TOOK PART IN THE "OHRID MUSIC FESTIVAL"
In the period June 20-24, 2022, the XI International Folklore Dance and Music Festival "OHRID MUSIC FESTIVAL" was held. The forum was attended by more than 300 performers from different countries.
Director of the festival Zoran Strezovski welcomed the participants and wished them successful performances on Macedonian stage.
The festival concert was held on June 19 in the central square where the groups presented their culture and traditions through music, dances and songs. After their performances, the groups received certificates and gifts from the organizer.
During the festival days, the groups had an organized boat trip, they visited the Orthodox Monastery of St. Naum and the sights of Ohrid.
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Reviews from the groups:
This festival has review of 10 groups and average estimation is VERY GOOD - 8,2/10