WorldFestivalAssociation

INVITATION

Istanbul, a unique city where continents meet, is bounded by the Black Sea to the north and the Sea of Marmara to the south. Divided by the Bosphorus Strait, the western half lies in Europe while the eastern half is in Asia. Renowned for its rich history, cultural landmarks, lively atmosphere, and social areas, Istanbul offers a captivating experience for visitors. Each year, we host festivals for children and youth, providing an extraordinary opportunity to feel the mystery of the Bosphorus and immerse in the city's charm.

Festival Details

• Dates:
• Start: 27 August 2025 at 16:00
• End: 31 August 2025 at 10:00
• Eligibility:
• Participants must be 8 years old or older.
• Groups may include singing ensembles, majorettes, choruses, folk dance troupes, and modern dance groups.
• Performance Requirements:
• Performances should last 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Music can be live or played via CD. Photos of the group must be submitted with the application form.

Preliminary Program

• Day 1: Arrival in Istanbul in the afternoon. Free time, followed by dinner and a meeting with group leaders.
• Day 2: Breakfast, followed by a tour of the Byzantine historic district, including the Blue Mosque (free entry), St. Sophia, Topkapı Palace, and the Grand Bazaar. Free time, dinner, and performances at the open-air municipality stage.
• Day 3: Breakfast, shopping at a local center, or a visit to the Marmara Sea beach for groups wishing to enjoy the seaside. Festival performances will be held at the open-air municipality stage, with groups teaching their country’s traditional dances and learning traditional Turkish rhythms and dances.
• Day 4: A special Bosphorus boat tour (20 Euro per person) will be offered, or groups can choose to go shopping. Performances will conclude the day at the open-air municipality stage.
• Day 5: Departure from Istanbul.

Note: The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the program.

Participation Fee

The participation fee is 195 Euro per person for 4 nights. This includes:

• Accommodation in a 3-star hotel with 2-3 beds per room, private toilet, and shower.
• Breakfast and dinner provided daily.

Free Participation for Leaders/Drivers:

• Groups of 30+ participants receive 1 free leader or driver.
• Groups of 45+ participants receive 2 free leaders or drivers.

Not Included in the Fee:

• Transportation to festival venues and excursions (arranged at the group's expense).
• Bosphorus boat tour (20 Euro per person).
• Diesel fuel for group buses.

Airport Transfers

Transfers will be arranged from Istanbul Airport at the following rates (round trip):

• 42 people on the bus: 25 Euro per person
• 30 people on the bus: 30 Euro per person
• 20 people on the bus: 35 Euro per person
• 10 people on the bus: 40 Euro per person

Groups arriving by plane can hire a bus for all ground transportation during the festival. This includes airport transfers, excursions to historical sites (European side, one-time visit), and transportation to performance venues. The bus rental fee must be paid to the festival committee on the first day.

Medical Insurance

All groups must secure medical insurance before attending the festival. The organizing committee will not cover any medical or hospital expenses. Emergency ambulance services will be provided if necessary.

Application & Payments

To confirm participation, groups must submit an Application Form. Approved groups are required to pay a 10% guarantee fee in advance, which will be deducted from the final payment. Hotel reservations will be secured after 20% of the total fee is deposited.