Director: Mrs. Hristina Krysteva XIX International Youth Festival-Contest of Arts "The Muses" will take place in the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia, from April 24 to April 28, 2025. The Arts Festival in Sofia continues its mission of unity and friendship among thousands of young people from around the world, bringing together traditions and native cultures, exchanging creative ideas, and fostering artistic contacts. Organizers: Association "The Muses", Sofia Municipality, National Palace of Culture, Sredets House of Culture The International Youth Festival of Arts (IYFA) "Muzite" ("The Muses") is a multi-genre youth festival and competition covering various forms of art: dance, music, theater, visual and applied arts, photography, unconventional forms, literature, and cinema. The festival hosts nearly 2000 participants from 33 countries and is one of the largest youth events in Eastern Europe. Program: April 24, Thursday 07:00 - 14:00 – Arrival and accommodation of participants 15:00 - 18:00 – Sightseeing tour of Sofia Sredets House of Culture April 25, Friday /First and Third Age Groups/ 08:00 - 09:00 – Registration of participants 09:00 - 10:00 – Organizational and technical meeting 10:00 - 20:00 – Competition program – Theater Arts Section 20:30 – Awards Ceremony April 26, Saturday /Second and Fourth Age Groups/ 08:00 - 09:00 – Registration of participants 09:00 - 10:00 – Organizational and technical meeting 10:00 - 20:00 – Competition program – Theater Arts Section 20:30 – Awards Ceremony National Palace of Culture – Peroto Club April 26, Saturday 13:00 - 14:30 – Stage: Soloists – Music Arts Section (Entertainment Song, Folk Song, Pop, Rock, and Jazz Music) – All Age Groups 14:30 - 16:00 – Stage: Groups – Music Arts Section (Entertainment Song, Folk Song, Pop, Rock, and Jazz Music) – All Age Groups 16:30 – Awards Ceremony National Palace of Culture – Open Spaces Stage April 26, Saturday 10:00 - 12:00 – Classical Orchestras – All Age Groups 12:30 – Awards Ceremony 13:00 - 15:00 – Folk Orchestras – All Age Groups 15:30 – Awards Ceremony 16:00 - 18:00 – Folk Dances – First and Second Age Groups 18:30 – Awards Ceremony 18:30 - 20:30 – Folk Dances – Third and Fourth Age Groups 20:30 – Awards Ceremony 21:00 - 22:00 – Unconventional Forms Program 22:00 – Awards Ceremony National Palace of Culture – Lumiere Cinema Hall 11 April 26, Saturday 08:00 - 09:00 – Registration of participants 09:00 - 10:00 – Organizational and technical meeting 10:00 - 12:00 – Classical Dance – All Age Groups 12:30 – Awards Ceremony 13:00 - 15:00 – Character Dance – All Age Groups 15:30 – Awards Ceremony 16:00 - 18:00 – Contemporary Dance – All Age Groups 18:30 – Awards Ceremony 16:00 - 18:00 – Street Dance – All Age Groups 18:30 – Awards Ceremony 16:00 - 18:00 – Ballroom Dance – All Age Groups 18:30 – Awards Ceremony 18:30 - 20:30 – Sports Dance – All Age Groups 21:00 – Awards Ceremony 21:00 - 22:00 – Non-Competitive Dance Program – All Age Groups 22:00 – Awards Ceremony Sredets House of Culture April 27, Sunday 08:30 - 09:00 – Registration of participants 09:00 - 10:00 – Organizational and technical meeting 10:00 - 12:00 – Literature Section – All Age Groups 12:30 – Awards Ceremony 13:00 - 15:00 – Music Arts Section: Classical Musical Instruments – All Age Groups 15:30 – Awards Ceremony 16:00 - 18:00 – Visual, Applied Arts and Photography – All Age Groups 18:30 – Awards Ceremony 19:00 - 21:00 – Cinema Section – All Age Groups 21:00 – Awards Ceremony April 28, Monday 10:00 - 12:00 – Round Table: “The Muses – Key to Global Partnerships” – With international participants and partners 15:00 - 18:00 – Sightseeing tour and free time in Sofia April 29, Tuesday 10:00 - 12:00 – Departure of participants The organizers reserve the right to make changes to the program. Performance order for each section and category will be determined after the applications are received and processed. Participation Fee: Registration is done through the online registration form. After review, a confirmation of participation will be sent. For new participants, applications must be accompanied by links to published photos, audio, and video materials for pre-selection. Participation is guaranteed only after payment of the participation fee: 10 EUR – Ensembles and clubs (per participant) 15 EUR – Groups and formations (per participant) 20 EUR – Trio (per participant) 25 EUR – Duet (per participant) 30 EUR – Solo The fee covers participation in one section and one art category, either competitive or non-competitive, for one age group. Participation in additional sections and categories requires 50% of the above-listed fees for the second nomination and 30% for each subsequent nomination. The participation fee does not include accommodation and meals and is paid once by each participant. Accommodation: 265 Euro per person for 4 nights HB in a 3-star hotel For groups of 20 people – the 21st person is accommodated for free. Children up to 2 years – free accommodation. Approved participants must pay a 30% deposit in advance to reserve accommodation. The remaining 70% must be paid no later than one month before the start of the festival by bank transfer or upon arrival with the organizers' permission. Additional services (extra charge): Transfers and excursions (minimum group of 20 people) All tourist services are provided by an authorized travel agent, Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Bulgaria. Note: All participants from the 19th edition of “The Muses” Festival in Sofia receive a 10% discount on tourist services for the 20th International Youth Festival-Contest of Arts "The Muses" in Sozopol from July 4 to July 16, 2025.