The International youth festival of arts (IYFA) “Muzite” (in English “The Muses”) a multi-genre youth festival and contest of different forms of arts: dance, music, theater, fine & applied arts and crafts, non-standard forms, fiction and film. The festival hosted close to 2,000 participants from 25th countries and is one of the biggest youth events in Eastern Europe. The Muses festival is organized by the Association “Muzite” in a partnership with the Municipality of Sozopol and it is held annually  from  5th to 15th July  in the town of Sozopol, Bulgaria. 

Sessions and arts:

There are two main sessions:
- 1st Session: 5th to 10th of July.  Arts included in the first session: Dance, Non-standard art forms (including but not limited to fire shows, circus arts, martial arts, fashion and more…), Fiction literature and Film
- 2nd Session: 10th to 15th of July. Arts included in the second : Music, Fine & Applied arts, Photography" and Theatre.

Who is invited to participate:

  • Ensembles and soloists from the art schools, academies, schools, studios, cultural centers , children and youth from 5 to 35 years in a competitive and non-competitive program.
  • Adults over 35 years old are invited to participate as special guests.
  • There is no limit to the number of performing ensembles and the number of participants in each formation
  • All participants can participate in the competitions and in the non-competitive program of the festival.
  • Audience input is free!
Arrival and departure:
  • Arrival to Sozopol for the first session – 05th July; departure – 10th July.
  • Arrival to Sozopol for the second session – 10th July, departure – 15th July.
Participants may join the two sessions. Any stay before or after the festival period must be approved by the festival organizers. Prices for the extended period of stay are subject to negatiation with the festival.

Participation rules:

  • In order to register for participation, please fill all the details of the registration form and email it together with the corresponding pictures.
  • All applicants are required to pay a deposit of 30% (thirty percent) of the total amount. In case  of a cancelation of the application prior to the deadline, the 30% deposit is non-refundable.
  • Please consult the price carefully prior to processing the payment.
  • Your application will be reviewed and confirmed by email after the application package and the payments are received.
  • The remaining participation fee should be paid not later than 30 calendar days prior to the beginning of the festival, i.e, not later than May 31st.
Participants in the festival perform in the relevant age group as follows:.
  • First age group: From 5 to 12 years old.
  • Second age group: From 13 to 18 years old.
  • Third age group:  From 19 to 35 years old.
  • Fourth age group: From 35 years old.
Each collective of each age group is allowed to have 30% of participants from the older or younger age group.

Schedules, rehearsals and performances rules:

  • The competition program will be scheduled by the organizers  on the basis of the applications received.
  • The order of performances in the competition is determined by the organizers committee in advance.
  • The order of the performances in the competition depends on the age of the participants (from junior to senior age groups) and the art form
  • The programme is announced during the rehearsals for the respective day.
  • Each soloist has up to 1 minute for technical rehearsal, the groups have up to 3 minutes and the ensembles (over 30 people) have up to 5 minutes.
  • The rehearsal includes a quick sound & light check.
  • Rehearsal order follows the order of the program and Changes to the program are not allowed no changes are allowed.
  • Each team and individual artist participates with a different program. Same performance is not allowed in two programs.
  • Each team and soloist participate with two performances in the competition and with one performance in the closing session concert (laureates only), which are previously indicated in the application form.
  • Participants participate in parades, field trips, workshops and other events
Soundtracks and background music:
Participants are required to submit to the organizers TOGETHER with the application the music or the audio recordings for their performance. Allowed audio formats: MP3 or WAV.  The audio files MUST be named as follows:
Name of the participant_Name of The Track_Duration.MP3
Name of the participant_Name of The Track_Duration.WAV
Name _3_45.WAV
  • The texts for the printing of the diplomas, certificates and letters of appreciation are prepared in advance in accordance with the information provided in the application form. In the event of spelling errors in the information provided to them, the organizers are not responsible for the errors that may occur.
  • Organizational and technical meetings with the writer, director, concert leaders, technical team (sound, lighting and special effects), managers of teams and individual participants are held each day.
  • Managers of the festival recommend that creative formations and soloists learn the text, music and choreography of the anthem of The Muses Festival and carry the national flag of their country.
  • The group leaders are fully responsible for their teams, costumes and belongings.
  • The team leaders alone determine the concert program.

Important: For their participation in the Festival the ensembles and the individual participants should have prepared the following types of programs:

- participation in the competition program: two performances for participation in the contest with a duration stipulated in the Status quo of the festival;
- marches and processions along the main streets of the town of Sozopol - groups carry the national flag of their country and the flag of the team (if any) procession fragments up to 3 minutes.
- Solemn Gala Concert at the Closing program of the Festival up to 5 minutes for collectives and 3 minutes for chamber and solo performers;
- Sending audio, pictures or video material you warrant that you are the owner of the
copyright holders.
Attention: Performances that include offensive or none-respectful language or gesture will not be tolerated. Violence and or offence of any kind is strictly prohibited!

Program:

05.07. Friday
07:00 - 14:00 "Black Sea" sq. Arrival of 1st festival session participants and accommodation in hotels.
14:00 - 16:00 Community center  "Father Paissiy", conference hall. Registration of the participants. Organizational and technical meeting.
16:00 - 18:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Rehearsal: section “Dance art”, categories “Contemporary dances” and “Street dances” – all age groups.
19:30 - 20:00  Parade of the participants on a route : Secondary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius", “Odessa” street,  “Ropotamo” street, "Black Sea" Square, “Republican” street and Summer theatre "Apolonia".
20:00 - 20:30  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Opening ceremony of 18th International Youth Festival of Arts “The Muses”.

20:30 - 23:30  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Competition in section “Dance art”, categories “Contemporary dances” and “Street dances” – all age groups.

06.07. Saturday
09:00 - 14:00 Tours on request - Boat trip around Sozopol bay, Trip to the Castle of Ravadinovo, Aqua Park etc..
15:00 - 18:00 Community center  "Father Paissiy", conference hall. Competition in section  “Literary art” – all age groups.
16:00 - 18:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Rehearsal: section “Dance art”, categories “Folklore dances” and “Character dances” – all age groups.

18:00 - 23:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Competition: section “Dance art”, categories “Folklore dances” and “Character dances” – all age groups.

07.07. Sunday
09:00 - 14:00 Tours on request - Boat trip around Sozopol bay, Trip to the Castle of Ravadinovo, Aqua Park etc.
09:00 - 12:00  Community center  "Father Paissiy", theatre hall. Rehearsal in section “Dance art”, category “Dance theater”.
14:00 - 20:00 Community center  "Father Paissiy", theatre hall. Competition in section “Dance art”, category “Dance theater”.
14:00 - 20:00 Art Gallery of Sozopol (old school), assembly hall. Plein air “Fiction literature” - all age groups.
16:00 - 18:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Rehearsal in section "Dance art", categories “Classical dances” and “Ballroom dances”– all age groups.

18:00 - 23:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Competition in section "Dance art", categories “Classical dances” and “Ballroom dances”– all age groups.

08.07. Monday
09:00 - 14:00 Tours on request - Boat trip around Sozopol bay, Trip to the Castle of Ravadinovo, Aqua Park etc.
09:00 - 12:00  Community center  "Father Paissiy", theatre hall. Rehearsal in section “Dance art”, category “Dance theater”.
14:00 - 19:00 Community center  "Father Paissiy", theatre hall. Competition in section “Dance art”, category “Dance theater”.
16:00 - 18:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Rehearsal in section  "Dance art", category „Rock’n’Roll Acrobatic” and in section "Non-standard forms" – all age groups.
18:00 - 22:30  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Competition in section  "Dance art", category „Rock’n’Roll Acrobatic” and in section "Non-standard forms" – all age groups.

22:30 - 23:30  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Non-competition music and dance program.

09.07. Tuesday
16:00 - 18:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Rehearsal of the prize-winning artists who will participate in the Gala concert closing the first festival session.
16:00 - 18:00  Community center  "Father Paissiy", conference hall. Meeting of the Jury with groups’ representatives.

18:00 - 23:30  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Announcement and awarding of winners. Gifts from sponsors. Announcement and awarding with special prizes in sections: "Dance art", “Literary art” and "Non-standard forms". Gala-concert of the first session laureates.

10.07. Wednesday
07:00 - 14:00 "Black Sea" sq.  Arrival of participants in the second session and accommodation in hotels.
14:00 - 16:00 Community center  "Father Paissiy", conference hall. Organizational and technical meeting, registration of  the participants.
16:00 - 18:00 Summer theatre "Apolonia". Rehearsal in section  "Music art", category “Orchestras” (classical) – all age groups.
18:00 - 19:00  Community Center "Father Paissiy".  Lobby theatre hall. Opening of an exhibition "Bulgaria in my dreams" by the State Agency for Bulgarians Abroad and the participants in the competition in section ”Fine art, applied arts and photography”
19:30 - 20:00  Parade of the participants on a the route: Secondary School “St. St. Cyril and Methodius", “Odessa”  street,  “Ropotamo” street, "Black Sea" Square, “Republican” street and Summer theatre "Apolonia".
20:00 - 20:30  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Opening ceremony of the second session of the 18th International Youth Festival of Arts “The Muses”.

20:30 - 23:30  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Competition in section  "Music art", category “Orchestras” (classical) – all age groups.

11.07. Thursday
09:00 - 14:00 Tours on request - Boat trip around Sozopol bay, Trip to the Castle of Ravadinovo, Aqua Park etc.
09:00 - 12:00  Community center  "Father Paissiy", theatre hall. Rehearsal in section “Theatre”.
10:00 - 14:00 Community center "Father Paisii", conference hall. World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Registration of participants.
14:00 - 15:00 World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Accomodation of the participants.
15:00 - 18:00 World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Excursions on request - boat trip, Ravadinovo Castle, Aquapark.
12:30 - 21:00  Community center  "Father Paissiy", theatre hall. Competition in section "Theatre". (Meeting between the jury and the group after each performance)
18:00 - 20:00 Community center  "Father Paissiy", conference hall. Program in section Cinema – all age groups
14:00 - 18:00 Art Gallery of Sozopol (old school). Rehearsal in section  "Music art", categories “Classical musical instruments” and “Classical singing” (in a hall) – all age groups.
16:00 - 18:00 Summer theatre "Apolonia". Rehearsal in Non-competition music and dance program.
18.00 - 22.00 Art Gallery of Sozopol (old school). Competition in: section  "Music art", categories “Classical musical instruments” and “Classical singing” (in a hall) – all age groups.

18:00 - 23:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Non-competition music and dance program.

12.07. Friday
09:00 - 14:00 Tours on request - Boat trip around Sozopol bay, Trip to the Castle of Ravadinovo, Aqua Park etc.
09:00 - 12:00  Community center  "Father Paissiy", theatre hall. Rehearsal in section “Theatre”.
14:00 - 20:00  Community center  "Father Paissiy", theatre hall. Competition in section "Theatre". (Meeting between the jury and the group after each performance)
14:00 - 20:00 Art Gallery of Sozopol (old school), assembly hall. Plein air for artists - all age groups.
15:00 - 16:00 Community Center "Father Paisii", conference hall. World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Organizational and technical meeting.
16:00 - 17:00 Summer Theater "Apolonia". World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Soundcheck folk ensembles, folk dance groups and clubs.
17:00 - 18:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Soundcheck section  "Music art", categories “Folklore song”, “Pop, rock and jazz music” – groups and soloists, first and second age groups.
18:00 - 20:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia": Competition section  "Music art", categories “Folklore song”, “Pop, rock and jazz music” – groups and soloists, first and second age groups.

20:00 - 23:00 Summer Theater "Apolonia". World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Competition program folk ensembles, folk dance groups and clubs.

13.07. Saturday
09:00 - 14:00 Tours on request - Boat trip around Sozopol bay, Trip to the Castle of Ravadinovo, Aqua Park etc.
09:00 - 12:00  Community center  "Father Paissiy", theatre hall. Rehearsal in section “Theatre”.
14:00 - 21:00  Community center  "Father Paissiy", theatre hall. Competition in section "Theatre". (Meeting between the jury and the group after each performance)
14:00 - 18:00  Community center  "Father Paissiy", conference hall. Program  in section  ”Cinema”.
16:00 - 17:00 Summer Theater "Apolonia". World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Soundcheck brass and folk orchestras and groups, folk dance groups and clubs.
17:00 - 18:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Soundcheck in section  "Music art", categories “Folklore song” and “Pop, rock and jazz music” - groups and soloists, third and fourth age groups.
18:00 - 20:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia": Competition in section  "Music art", categories “Folklore song” and “Pop, rock and jazz music” - groups and soloists, third and fourth age groups.

20:00 - 23:30 Summer Theater "Apolonia". World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Competition program of brass and folk orchestras and groups, folk dance groups and clubs.

14.07. Sunday
16:00 - 18:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Rehearsal of the prize-winning artists who will participate in the Gala concert closing the second session of the festival.
16:00 - 18:00  Community center  "Father Paissiy", conference hall.  Meeting of the Jury with groups’ representatives.
18:00 - 23:00  Summer theatre "Apolonia". Announcement and awarding of winners. Gifts from sponsors. Announcement and awarding with special prizes in sections: "Theatre", "Music art", "Cinema" and ”Fine art, applied arts and photography”. Gala concert of the laureates.
16:00 - 18:00 Community Center "Father Paisii", theater hall. World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Soundcheck folk singing groups, choirs and groups for old town songs.
18:00 - 23:00 Community center "Father Paisii", theater hall. World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Competition program folk singing groups, choirs and groups for old town songs.
16:00 - 18:00 Art Gallery, Assembly Hall. World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Soundcheck, individual artists and duets.

18:00 - 23:00 Art Gallery, Assembly Hall. World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024.  Competition program individual performers and duets.

15.07. Monday
07:00 - 12:00  "Black Sea" sq.  Departure of participants in the second session of The Muses festival.
09:00 - 16:00 World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Excursions on request - boat trip, Ravadinovo Castle, Aqua Park
16:00 - 18:00 Summer Theater "Apolonia". World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Soundcheck.
18:00 - 21:00 Summer Theater "Apolonia". World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Concert of the laureates.

21:00 - 22:00 Summer Theater "Apolonia". World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Awards and closing ceremony.

16.07.2024 Tuesday
07:00 - 12:00 World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2024. Departure of the participants.

Participation fee:

ACCOMMODATION FEE

Guest Houses + meal
  • 205 EUR for 6 days/5 nights per person (5-10 July)* (10-15 July)*
  • 355 EUR  for 11 days/10 nights per person (5-15 July)*
Option with no meal:
140 EUR guest house with no meal included for 6 days/5 nights per person (5-10 July)* (10-15 July)*
235 EUR guest house with no meal included for 11 days/10 nights per person (5-15 July)*
 
2 ** Hotels + meal
  • 235 EUR for 6 days/5 nights per person (5-10 July)* (10-15 July)*
  • 415 EUR for 11 days/10 nights per person (5-15 July)*
Option with no meal:
170 EUR 2** hotel with no meal included for 6 days/5 nights per person (5-10 July)* (10-15 July)*
290 EUR 2** hotel with no meal included for 11 days/10 nights per person (5-15 July)*
 
3*** Hotels + meal
  • 265 EUR for 6 days/5 nights per person (5-10 July)* (10-15 July)*
  • 485 EUR for 11 days/10 nights per person (5-15 July)*
Option with no meal:
205 EUR 3*** hotel with no  meal included for 6 days/5 nights per person (5-10 July)* (10-15 July)*
360 EUR 3*** hotel with no meal included for 11 days/10 nights per person (5-15 July)*
The price does not include participation fee. The participation fee is paid separately.
 

PARTICIPATION FEE

  • 70 EUR – individual participation
  • 60 EUR – duet and trio, for each participant
  • 50 EUR – group, for each participant of the group
Conditions:
  • The participation fee includes organizational and technical support of the competitions and other festival events;
  • Participation fee includes participation in the contest or the non-competition program in one section and one category of art. Participation in the competition in other sections and art categories is available for an additional fee 50% of the above mentioned fee for the second, for each subsequent nomination – 30%.
  • Festival participation fee does not include accommodation and food and is paid once by each participant.
  • In the event of the arrival of a smaller number of participants than originally requested, the fee is not refunded or deducted.
  • Groups of over 40 people benefit from a 10% discount on the participation fee.

Group discounts:

  • For a group of 20 people, the 21th is welcome free of charge.
  • Children of up to 2 years of age are accommodated free of charge
  • Children of up to 6 years of age are accomodated at 30% discount.
Please, note that the prices are applicable to all members of the delegation (participants, managers, parents, fans).

Participation fee includes:

  • accommodation in a guest houses or in 2*, 3* hotels in rooms with 2, 3 and 4 beds, studios and apartments with 3 and 4 beds for participants in Sozopol (on demand, there is accomodation in the towns of Primorsko, Sunny Beach and Kiten);
  • 5 or 10 day half-board (accommodation, breakfast and dinner);
  • 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) in restaurant 2*or 3*;
  • bank wire fees.
NOTE:
The price is a package and applies to all members of the delegation (participants, managers, parents, fans).
The guest houses and hotels published on the site do not include all the accommodation offered by the tour operator in the indicated settlements.
The choice of hotels is determined by the order of registration for participation and the capacity of the hotels.
Accommodation in hotels that have a restaurant is with obligatory meals.
Minimum number of nights – two nights. For two, three and four nights, the prices are negotiated additionally.
The extension of stay of participants is possible only prior to the beginning and after the end of the festival. Prices are negotiable.
Should you prefer an accommodation in a single room or an individual accommodation in a double room, prices are negotiable. Please contact the festival organizers.
We also offer an accommodation in 4* and 5* hotels. For more information and prices, please contact the organizers.
 
REGISTRATION AND PAYING FOR TOURIST SERVICES:
  • Fill in the quantity and type of tourist services you wish to use in the online registration form or in Microsoft Office Word form.
  • Approved groups pay an upfront 10% guarantee fee, which is deducted from the final payment.
  • At the next stage, 20% is paid for booking accommodation.
  • The rest of the payment 70% is paid no later than 1 month before the start of the festival by bank transfer or upon arrival with the permission of the organizers.
In case of application cancellation or the arrival of a smaller number of participants than originally requested, charges related to hotel reservation paid in advance cannot be refunded.
Note: Organizers of the festival will further negotiate the conditions of participation in the event with participants who failed to send an application within the deadline May 30th, 2024 and in case all hotel vacancies are occupied.
The additional days of stay at the hotel (before 05.07. and after 15.07. are negotiated additionally depending on the requested service and hotel category) but must be requested in advance
Group discounts:
  • For a group of 20 people, the 21th is welcome free of charge.
  • Children of up to 2 years of age are accommodated free of charge
  • Children of up to 6 years of age are accomodated at 30% discount.
Other payments for optional services:
  • 20 EUR per person Burgas-Sozopol-Burgas transfer (for groups of at least 20 people);
  • 50 EUR per person Varna-Sozopol-Varna transfer (for groups of at least 30 people);
  • 100 EUR per person (depending on the number of passengers) Istanbul-Sozopol -Istanbul transfer;
  • 10 EUR day per person extra charge for lunch for a group of at least 15 people
Terms of stay:
Arrival of the participants in the first session – July 5; departure – July 10. Arrival of the participants in the second session – July 10; departure – July 15.
Check-in is dependent on arrival, but no earlier than 14:00 PM on the same day, and check-out – up to 12:00 PM on the day of departure. All keys must be returned to the reception desk before departure. Extended stay on the departure day is possible with prior coordination.
Accommodation and use of common areas in a manner that prevents or offends other guests /residents will be cause for termination of the stay. No smoking is allowed in the hotels. Pets are not allowed. Any damages to the hotel property during the stay must be paid before departure.
Visiting teams who arrive with their own organized transport can park their bus or other vehicle in a guarded or unguarded parking at their own expense.
The group leaders are fully responsible for their teams, costumes and props.
All heads of creative formations and individual participants must pay insurance for themselves in advance for the period of traveling and stay during the festival.
 
Participation in the World Cup of Folklore - Sozopol is applied for separately. The terms of participation and the Application for Participation can be found HERE.
 
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.

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