Director: Kaloyan Nikolov Location: Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria (Wikipedia) LIVE TV broadcast on the Internet of all concerts. Organizers: European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF, Euro Folk Academy, Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo and other. Within the framework of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk 2018". Main event of Musical Feasts “Euro Folk” is No 1 Festival in Europe for the traditional folklore arts – Stara Planina Fest “Balkan Folk” in Bulgaria. Every year from 7 000 to 15 000 musicians, singers and dancers take part in it. The participant in Stara Planina Fest “Balkan Folk 2018” have the right to take part in the National Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk 2018”. Along with the National Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk 2018" is held and World Cup of Folklore - Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria. Participants in the Championship will be able to take part in World Cup folklore, Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria against paid participation fee. Typical feature of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" is that all performances are recorded with professional audio and television technics and the best of them are repeatedly broadcasted by more than 50 cable and satellite televisions, as well as the World Wide Internet Television "EuroFolkTV" at tv.eurofolk.com. All of these activities realize the main purpose of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF to promote traditional folk arts through the enormous possibilities of massmedia. Maintaining the diversity of the main traditional values and identity of different nationalities, guarantees the evolution of humanity. Town host - Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgarian: Велико Търново) is a city in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province. Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old city is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora raising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. Tsarevets housed the palaces of the Bulgarian Emperors and the Patriarchate with the Patriarchal Cathedral, as well as a number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick walls. Trapezitsa was known for its many churches and as the main residence of the nobility. In the Middle Ages it was among the main European centres of culture and gave its name to the architecture of the Tarnovo Artistic School, painting of the Tarnovo Artistic School and literature. Preliminary Program The preliminary program of XXII Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk 2018" and VII Bulgarian National Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk 2018" and World Cup of Folklore you can see HERE 3 HB / 4 days Period 10.05.2018 or 17.05.2018 Day of arrival - Check in at hotel – The rest of the total amount for the group, must be paid at the latest on this day - A detailed program and a person in charge will be provided to each group. Free time for rest, walk to the city (market and clubs). - Dinner (in consultation with the hotel). 11.05.2018 or 18.05.2018 Breakfast - Free day from morning till noon - Optional excursion – Visit to "Tzarevetz" Fortress - Tzars Castle, and Ethnological Museum. - Midday meal (in consultation with the hotel). 10 min presentation concert - 19.00 - 21.00 - festival concert. 12.05.2018 or 19.05.2018 Breakfast – Free day from morning till noon - Optional excursion – Gabrovo - Ethnografic complex "Etara", Sofia, Kazanlak, Russe, Bucharest - Midday meal (in consultation with the hotel). 10 min presentation concert - 19.00 - 21.00 - festival concert. "Sound and lights" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBml0NGJt1c 13.05.2018 or 20.05.2018 Breakfast - Departure of the groups 3 HB Period. ------------------------------------ 5 HB / 6 days Period 10.05.2018 or 15.05.2018 Day of arrival - Check in at hotel – The rest of the total amount for the group, must be paid at the latest on this day - A detailed program and a person in charge will be provided to each group. Free time for rest, walk to the city (market and clubs). - Dinner (in consultation with the hotel). 11.05.2018 Breakfast - Free day from morning till noon - Optional excursion – Visit to "Tzarevetz" Fortress - Tzars Castle, and Ethnological Museum. - Midday meal (in consultation with the hotel). 10 min presentation concert - 19.00 - 21.00 - festival concert. or 16.05.2018 Breakfast - Free day from morning till noon- Optional excursion – Visit to "Tzarevetz" Fortress - Tzars Castle, and Ethnological Museum. - Midday meal (in consultation with the hotel). 12.05.2018 or 17.05.2018 Breakfast – Free day from morning till noon - Optional excursion – Gabrovo - Ethnografic complex "Etara", Sofia, Kazanlak, Russe, Bucharest - Midday meal (in consultation with the hotel). 10 min presentation concert - 19.00 - 21.00 - festival concert. "Sound and lights" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBml0NGJt1c 13.05.2018 Breakfast – Free day from morning till noon- Optional excursion – Gabrovo - Ethnografic complex "Etara", Sofia, Kazanlak, Russe, Bucharest - Midday meal (in consultation with the hotel) or 18.05.2018 Breakfast – Free day from morning till noon - Optional excursion – Gabrovo - Ethnografic complex "Etara", Sofia, Kazanlak, Russe, Bucharest - Midday meal (in consultation with the hotel). 10 min presentation concert - 19.00 - 21.00 - festival concert. 14.05.2018 Free day from morning till noon - Optional excursion – Gabrovo - Ethnografic complex "Etara", Sofia, Kazanlak, Russe, Bucharest - Midday meal (in consultation with the hotel) or 19.05.2018 Breakfast – Free day from morning till noon - Optional excursion – Gabrovo - Ethnografic complex "Etara", Sofia, Kazanlak, Russe, Bucharest - Midday meal (in consultation with the hotel). 10 min presentation concert - 19.00 - 21.00 - festival concert. 15.05.2018 or 20.05.2018 Breakfast - Departure of the groups 5 HB Period. Regulations Main task of the organizers is to ensure the creative groups an access to the stage, to gather them in a concourse programme aimed at defining the best ones and to popularize the award winners of the fest by broadcasting their art in Bulgaria and the European TV air. The National Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk 2018” has been organized by EAFF and other organizations within the scope of Musical Feasts “Euro Folk 2018” – The World is Television. To enter the contest the participants must be accredited, which is realized under the following conditions: Contest system includes the following categories: A) Folklore songs groups, authentic folklore (choirs and ensembles) B) Folklore songs groups, modern arrangement of folklore music; - (choirs and ensembles) C) Folklore dances groups, authentic folklore; (folklore dance groups, ensembles) D) Folklore dances groups; modern choreography (folklore dance groups, ensembles) E) Folklore mix ensembles - Authentic performances; (live vocal, instrumental and dance) F) Folklore mix ensembles - Processed performances; (live vocal, instrumental and dance) G) Folklore Instrumental groups; folklore music (ensembles and orchestras) H) Folklore customs groups; replica (folklore groups, ensembles) I ) Group of urban folklore; (old town songs, old town dance, world folk) *i individual performers and duets by all categories exept E,F,H; *1 by all categories there is also ranking of children and young people up to 18 years. /in children's and youth groups can participate up to 30% of participants from different age / *2 by all categories there is ranking adults people up 18 years. During the National Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk 2018” studio audio recordings and filming of professional video clips of the participants' program will be done free of charge of those performances awarded by the jury or against payment. The jury evaluates by the following 3 criteria: 1. Level of complexity and technique of performance 2. Vision /costumes, properties, staging, selection of repertoire/ 3. Stage manners /behavior on stage, gestures, contact with the audience, spirit emanation, artistry/ The duration of the program should not exceed 10 minutes. It is desirable by post or e-mail, to the address of EAFF, to send the last released album of the participant (the group) or demo records of not less than two performances. It is desirable that the application form has an added annotation about the participant and advertising materials – photos. The sent material are not a subject of return. During the participation of the collective in the championship the organizer could invite it to take part in general events such as Official Opening, Official Closing, cocktail party and others. Awards: The awards are different from those in Stara Planina Fest “Balkan Folk” The big award “Euro Folk 2018” – Grand Prix "Orpheus" and a diploma for the Absolute National Championship of Folklore of Bulgaria. The Winner of Grand Prix "Orpheus" takes also a money prize of 500 Euro. First awards in the relevant categories and a diploma for the National Championship of Folklore for the relevant category. The champions obtain golden medals, and for the second and third place – silver and bronze medals. At jury’s decision in the single categories could be given additional golden, silver and bronze medals with the relevant diplomas. The jury awards the best performances with a free of charge shooting and producing of a free video clip. All of the participants are granted with deeds for laureates, diplomas and object – awards. The awards are granted on a ceremony during "Euro Folk 2018" Musical Feasts - The world is television. In jury’s opinion and the producers from Euro Folk Academy the best performers and artistic directors shall be honoured with a Diploma for obtaining the rank Maestro or Maestro Academic. The diplomas are sent to the relevant municipalities with asking for a ceremonial delivery. All award winners get a free of charge copy of the TV product, which consists of their performances, and has been broadcasted in Bulgaria or in Europe. The participants can order against payment full recordings of their performances, including video clips, CD and DVD. These products have the right to be broadcasted in the relevant country. The jury consists of 3 people. Championship categories are consistent with the categories of the World ranking list of folklore. In the Bulgarian National Championship of Folklore may participate by 20% of participants from other countries. Collected points standings with odds for a National Championship. Points valid for World ranking list of folklore. Championship Odds Points for participation Items by Category First Round Second round - Race Grand Prix National 2 10 1. 100 2. 50 3. 30 1. 200 2. 100 3. 70 Next - 4 Unambiguous text: The collectives or presenting organizations, if approved by the jury to participate in the Championship, give the organizers the right to be recorded on video and audio, arranged in a program, presenting the fest and broadcasted by a TV channel or in some other way, for which a contract agreement will be signed. Unambiguous text: Teams from another country that can not participate in the second round, unless they compete and perform Bulgarian folklore. Registration of the Participants 2* - 3 HB / 3 Half Board/ - 72 Euro 3* - 3 HB / 3 Half Board/ - 84 Euro Period 1: 10 - 13 May; Period 2: 17 - 20 May 2* - 5 HB / 5 Half Board/ - 120 Euro 3* - 5 HB / 5 Half Board/ - 140 Euro Period 1: 10 - 15 May; Period 2: 15 - 20 May 10 HB / 10 Half Board/ - FULL Period 10 - 20 May Every 25 participants one is welcome to join in for free. (25 paying participants + 1 free of charge) (paying goes in several month payments till departure time) Accommodation Accomodation is in 1/3 and 1/4 rooms supplement for 1/2 room is 5 Euro per person per night, supplement for 1/1 room is 15 Euro per person per night All the hotels are located in Veliko Tarnovo, based on 3/5/10 half-board (breakfast and dinner-buffet) The participation fee includes Accommodation in 1/3 and 1/4 rooms, 3/5/10 half-board (breakfast and dinner-buffet), (supplement for 1/2 room is 5 Euro per person per night) Organization expenses Free place on every 25-th member /25 +1/ Degrees** Invitation letter*** The participation fee does not include Additional day in some of the hotels: it costs 25 Euro per person Facultative tours (tour of Veliko Tarnovo, Sofia, Kazanlak, Gabrovo, Shipka, Russe, Bucharest) Transport, parking, insurance... Transport from airports: /Sofia, - 235 km., Burgas - 220 km., Varna - 210 km., Bucharest - 200 km. Istanbul - 490 km./, railway - Gorna Oriahovitza - 11 km. Registration fee in World Cup of Folklore™ for category is 150 Euro. General Conditions The sender covers all bank fees. The invoices are received from the office at the centre of Veliko Tarnovo на ул. "Цар Тодор Светослав" № 59 All filled in and signed applications will mean acceptance of the terms laid by the present regulation. The registration of the participants at their arrival in Veliko Tarnovo is going to be made at the office на ул. "Цар Тодор Светослав" № 59. Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form. Approved groups pay in advance a 10% guarantee fee, which is to be deducted at the final payment. Next stage payment 20% for booking of accomodation. Rest of payment 70% - 15 days before start of festival, or on registration with permission of organizers. "Sound and lights" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBml0NGJt1c The Sound and Light Show is a unique attraction in Europe. Shows of its kind can only be seen in few other countries in the world. Through of music and spectacular illumination, this programme recreates the history of the Second Bulgarian Kingdom (1185 – 1393), the fall under the Turkish and the Liberation of Bulgaria in 1878. The music was composed especially for the show, which was first displayed in 1985 to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the Asen and Peter’s uprising. The best place to watch the show is Tsar Ivan Asen square located right in front of Tsarevets. Museum of "wax" figures in Veliko Tarnovo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-LyaNSWfdc Top Things See & Do in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jcw_z3rBo5w Spirit of Veliko Tarnovo - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-zvUh_Hbis * Optional Tours - excursions (Veliko Tarnovo, Sofia, Kazanlak, Gabrovo, Shipka, Russe, Bucharest). Seasonal prices vary according to the number of participants. ** Certificates of participation will be given *** Invitation letter will be provided if needed **** The final program of the festival could be changed by the organizers if needed.