Open III Balkan Championship of Folklore “Jiva Voda - Euro Folk 2014” | EAFF - European Association of Folklore Festivals

4 - 8 June 2014
Hisarya Bulgaria

Adults Childrens's Competitive nature Dances Choirs / Songs Orchestras Habits Authentic Processed Styled

Director: Georgi Topuzliiski

Location: Hisarya (Wikipedia), Hisarya (Map)

Participants are ensembles from: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Greece, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey and others.

The jury of the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2014" uses the ranking system of the European Association of Folklore Festivals – EAFF and the World Association of Folklore Festivals - WAFF.

The marks of the ensemble appeared in the competition program of the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2014" are valid for ranking in the World ranking list of folklore.

Organizers:

European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF,

Euro Folk Academy,

Municipality of Hissarya and other.

Within the framework of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk 2014".

Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" comprise of forty-five music festivals and are held under the auspices of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF in different European cities. Main event of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" is № 1 Festival in Europe of traditional folk arts - Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk" in Bulgaria. It is yearly attended by 7000 to 15 000 musicians, singers and dancers.

Worthy of note are also the festivals in St. Petersburg, London, Paris, Rome, Prague, Budapest, Nessebar, Vienna, Ohrid, Krakow, Barcelona and others.

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 by the World Wide Internet Television "TV Eurofolk" at tv.eurofolk.com.

All this 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 - Hissarya, Bulgaria

Hisar / Hisarya (the Augusta, Diocletianopolis, Seuthopolis, Aleksiopolis, Toplitsa) has a rich thousand-year history. The favorable climate and mineral waters have attracted people in these places of ancient times. Here is a prehistoric settlement existed even before the V-IV century BC The late Thracian settlement near the mineral springs became part of Odryssae state. Some spas were built medical-religious sanctuaries (nympheum). From this period dates the big Thracian cult facilities near Starosel.

After the conquest of the province of Thrace by the Romans in 46, around mineral springs emerged big Roman city. In 293 the Emperor Diocletian gave him the status of the city and since its beginning with massive retaining walls and construction of new urban solutions. In its preservation and originality defense system and the architecture of the Roman town Diocletianopolis ranks among the top in Europe. In many places the fortress wall reaches a height of 11 meters and the southern fortress gate stands 13 meters archaeological studies state that the fortress was reinforced by 44 towers. In the ancient city has had four major gates.

Preliminary Program

June 5 - 10.00 a.m.- Welcoming of participants in the Tourist Information Centre in Hissarya

11.00 a.m.- 18.00 p.m. – Competition program. Tours for the free groups.

18.00 p.m.- Defile

19.00 p.m.– Official opening

21.00 p.m.– End of the concert program

June 6 - 11.00 a.m.– Start of the competition program. Tour for the free groups

21.00 p.m.– End of the competition program

June 7 - 11.00 a.m.- Start of the competition program. Tours for the free groups

19.00 p.m.– Official closing and announcement of the winners by categories and GRAND PRIX

21.00 p.m.– End of the concert program – Gala – concert of the winners

June 8 - Departure of the participants. Tours.

12.00 h - Check out of hotels

The program of the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2014" can download from HERE

The program of the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2013" can download from HERE

The program of the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2012": can download from HERE

Regulations

To participate in the contest, the participants need accreditation, which is realized under the following conditions:

Groups willing to participate in the Championship complete and sign application forms.
Collectives applying for participation must have obtained prestigious awards from other festivals, awards to be mentioned in the application.
All participants are to make their own travel arrangements to and from Hisarya, Bulgaria and pay their travel expenses. The Organizing Commitiee provides accomodation and cultural program (excursions) by agreement with the participants.
A group delegation can include artists and their accompanying party. The number of artists and accopanying people is not limited.
During the participation of the team in the Championship, it may be invited by the organizers to take part in joint events – Official opening, Official closing, defile, accompanying concerts, cocktail, master class, competition for traditional breads or others.
The presence of invited teams in various events is required.
Applications for participation in the competition program shall be submitted no later than 10 April, 2014.
Participants pay a fee to participate in the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living Water 2014".

Regulation's Contest

Conetst 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 for old urban songs; (groups, ensembles)

*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.

Formations that can take part in the competition program:

• folklore ensembles, song and dance groups;

• choirs;

• clubs for folk dances;

• groups for old urban songs;

• brass bands and folk orchestras;

• individual performers and duets;

The competition program and the concerts shall be held at the Summer Amphitheatre and in "Ivan Vazov" Community center in the town of Hissarya.

The jury evaluates by the following 4 criteria:

1. Complexity of performance /level of complexity of the performance/

2. Quality of performance /performance technical skills/

3. Vision /costumes, props, staging/

4. Stage manners /behavior on stage, gestures, contact with the audience, spirit emanation/

The program duration of the separate groups / participants should not exceed:

- Songs - up to 10 minutes

- Dances - up to 10 minutes

- Ensemble performances – up to 15 minutes

The jury is entitled to reduce the overall assessment for non-compliance of regulations.

The winner of the Grand Prize of "Euro Folk 2014" - Grand Prix "Orpheus", a Gold medal and a Diploma for Absolute Balkan Champion of folklore for 2014 receives also a cash prize of 1,000 Euro.

The cash prize is provided by the Municipality of Hissarya.

At the discretion of the jury Nomination "Orpheus" is awarded, which gives the right for participation in the ranking for the Grand Prix "Orpheus".
The champions are awarded gold medals, while second and third place - silver and bronze medals. Winners receive certificates for laureates and a diploma for Balkan champion of folklore for 2014 in the relevant category.
In the separate categories may be given additional gold, silver and bronze medals with the relevant diplomas.
Jury awards the top performers with a recommendation for participation in European or World Championship of Folklore.
All participants receive diplomas and object - prizes.
Special Jury Prizes for Authentic costume, Stage costume, Modern processing, Musical accompaniment, Artisticbehavior, Soloist and others. The awards are announced at a ceremony during the Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk - Living water".
At the discretion of the jury and the producers Euro Folk Academy the prominent art leaders are honored with a Diploma for obtaining the rank Maestro or Maestro Academic. Diplomas are sent to Ministry of Culture of the relevant country or the Mayors of municipalities with a request for handing in appropriate way.

The jury consists of three members. In jury committee may participate only members authorized by EAFF.

Points valid for World ranking list of folklore.

Championship

Odds

Points for participation

Points by Category

First round

Points by Grand Prix

Second round

Regional

/International/

1. 150
2. 75

3. 45

1. 300

2. 150

3. 105

Next - 6т

Registration of the Participants

Participation fee (for participants and accompanying persons)

79 Euro per person - 3 Half boards in 3*** hotel

89 Euro per person - 3 Half boards 3 days in 4**** hotel -

In a group of 25 people - 1 person for free

The Participation fee INCLUDE:

- Accommodation for 3 nights in a 3 or 4 in room,
- 3 breakfasts – Swedish table
- 3 dinners

For all participants, the municipality offers free tour of the archaeological reserve Diocletianopolis tour and visit to Thracian cult complex Starosel.

Accommodation:

Hotels: Augusta***, Galery***, SPA Central****, SPA Hissar**** or other

The Participation fee NOT INCLUDE:

- If participants wish to stay longer, it will cost 29 Euros a day per person (half board - breakfast and dinner) in 3*& 4* hotels (in three-bed rooms)

- Accommodation in double rooms, in case of availability, will cost an extra eight (5) Euros per day per person

- Optional Tours. Seasonal prices vary according to the number of participants.

- First aid and emergency support will be provided, but medical services must be covered by the group. The participant’s safety is their personal responsibility.

- Transportation /organizer can arrange transportation from/to airport - prisce is depends of nomber of people/

- Registration fee in contest

For individual performers and duets have additional Registration fee in contest, which is 10 Euro.

For groups till 13 persons have additional Registration fee in contest /each category/, which is 20 Euro.

For groups up 14 persons have additional Registration fee in contest /each category/, which is 25 Euro.

After approval to participate must be sent 10% advance of Participation fee.

For example for a group, consisting of 26 people for staying in a 3 stars hotel with spending the night, breakfast and dinner, for 4 days/3 nights the amount is being calculated in the following way: 25 (+1 person for free) х 79 Euro = 1975 Euro. The advanced payment 10% equals 1975 Euro х 10% = 197.50 EURO.

Confirmation of the application is made on the basis of submission of application for participation from the collective’s party.

After confirming the application the group must pay 10% of Participation fee.

The registration of the participants will be made upon their arrival at the Tourist Information Centre Hissar.

Against payment participants can order full recordings of their performances on DVD. These products have the right to be broadcast in the relevant country.

Unambiguous text: Uponapproved participation in the Championship, the collectives or organizations representing them give the Organizer the right performances to be recorded on audio and video, shaped in a program presenting the festival and broadcast on a TV channel or otherwise, for which a contract is signed.

General Conditions

Bank transfers are made to the account of Euro Folk Academy Ltd.:

All bank charges are for the account of the sending party.

Participants do not get paid for their performance.

Completed applications for participation will mean acceptance of the conditions laid down in this Regulation.

Champions

"Ot Izvora" folklore formation , Sofia (Bulgaria)

Winner of the Gold medal of the III Balkan Championship of Folklore 'Euro folk - Jiva voda 2014", Grand Prix golden "Orpheus" and the title "Absolute Balkan Champion of Folklore for 2014"

"Orpheus" Vocal formation at the Society for Friendship with the Peoples of Russia and the CIS, Plovdiv (Bulgaria)

Winner of the Silver Medal - Second place at the III Balkan Championship of Folklore "Euro folk- Jiva voda 2014", and the title "Vice champion" for 2014 and winner of a Gold medal, and the Balkan Champion for 2014

"Hisarski Ritmi" Folk Dance Club at "Ivan Vazov - 1904" Community Center, Hissarya (Bulgaria)

Winner of the Bronze medal - Third place in the Bolkan Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk 2014" and winner of a gold medal, the title "Bolkan Champion" for 2014 and Nomination for the Grand Prix.