Director: Victoria Mikhailova International Folklore, Dance and Music Competition and Festival "Wawelskie Skarby" 07.12.2025 - Competition Day Kraków - Poland Event venue: Museum of Japanese Art and Technology Manggha Our main goal is to shape a conscious and active cultural audience and to expand sensitivity to art. We create a space for interaction between the creator and the audience, where active dialogue takes place. Our aim is to promote deeper understanding, inspire greater achievements, and foster more effective creative and social development. Participants: Dance groups - folk or stylized dance, classical, contemporary/modern, jazz, artistic, street dance, ballroom, historical, stage dance, show-bellydance, and other dance genres. Theatre groups / acting skills - theatres (from 5 people) may present an excerpt from a performance Folklore groups, ritual theatres, folk art ensembles Fashion theatres / fashion shows - prêt-à-porter, evening, children’s, stage, historical, contemporary youth clothing. One or two collections can be presented as a show. The presentation should be a compositionally consistent and complete piece. Vocal, instrumental, and vocal-instrumental groups Choirs Soloists in all the above genres Other genres accepted upon review of applications Technical requirements: The competition program has time limits. Soloists, duets, trios, quartets - 1 performance up to 3 minutes Small groups (5–9 participants) - 1 or 2 performances with a total time up to 5 minutes Groups (10 or more participants) - 1 or 2 performances with a total time up to 9 minutes Theatres (from 5 participants) - an excerpt from a performance up to 9 minutes Participants may perform in several genre categories, provided they submit separate applications and pay separate fees for each entry. Note: Participants must provide their own instruments, except for the piano (availability must be confirmed in advance). The festival is competitive. Age groups: Mini kids: 4-6 years old Kids: 7-9 years old Children: 10-13 years old Junior: 14-17 years old Adults: 18 years old and above Senior: 50 years old and above Mixed groups To participate in the festival, please send your application along with a HIGH-QUALITY music accompaniment. If the performance exceeds the reserved time, the organizers reserve the right to interrupt it. Awards: DIAMOND GRAND PRIX - the highest and exceptional award of the festival, granted only in special cases for outstanding artistic achievement based on the unanimous decision of the jury The absolute winner of the festival receives the Grand Prix diploma, souvenir gift, festival medals, individual diplomas, and a trophy for the Grand Prix winner The jury may also award Small Grand Prix prizes Winners of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places receive festival medals, individual diplomas, and a trophy for the group Participant Diploma - for groups/soloists who scored below 4th place; participants receive medals, individual diplomas, and a trophy Debut Diploma - for participants in the MINI KIDS category (ages 4–6); they receive medals, individual diplomas, and a trophy All teachers, choreographers, group leaders, and ensembles also receive Certificates of Appreciation from the organizers and the festival jury. All participants receive commemorative gifts, festival notebooks, participant badges, and other festival symbols. The symbolic set may vary. Jury: The jury is formed by the organizers and consists of representatives from the fields of culture, art, social organizations, media, and other distinguished personalities from participating countries. The permanent jury includes 4–5 members. Evaluation is based on a 10-point scale. The evaluation criteria for vocalists, instrumentalists, dance groups, and soloists are applied separately within each genre, age group, and group format (solo, small group, ensemble), ensuring fairness and accuracy in assessing participants’ skills. The jury has the right to: Provide recommendations to contest participants Honor individual performers with special awards In coordination with the organizing committee, decide on changes to the festival regulations or refrain from awarding prizes in certain categories The jury may withhold the Grand Prix if the score is insufficient. The jury’s decision is final and not subject to appeal. Evaluation criteria: Vocalists: 1. Vocal technique: intonation, articulation, diction 2. Interpretation of the piece: expressiveness, emotionality, conveying the character 3. Repertoire choice: appropriate to the age and vocal capabilities 4. Overall artistic impression: stage presence, interaction with the audience, originality Instrumentalists: 1. Playing technique: execution accuracy, precision, instrumental technique 2. Interpretation of the piece: expressiveness, emotionality, understanding of the piece 3. Repertoire choice: appropriate to the age and instrumental capabilities 4. Overall artistic impression: stage presence, interaction with the audience, originality Dance Groups: 1. Dance technique: precision of movement, synchronization, technical execution 2. Choreography: originality, complexity, alignment with the music 3. Interpretation of the piece: expressiveness, emotionality, conveying character 4. Overall artistic impression: costumes, props, stage presentation Dance Soloists: 1. Dance technique: movement precision, technical execution 2. Interpretation of the piece: expressiveness, emotionality, character of the piece 3. Choreography: originality, complexity, alignment with the music 4. Overall artistic impression: costume, props, stage presentation Theatre Groups: 1. Acting – clarity, authenticity, acting technique 2. Stage interpretation – coherence, emotionality, conveying character and scene 3. Directing and script – stage structure, tempo, dramatic composition 4. Overall artistic impression – costumes, set design, lighting, stage presence Fashion Theatres (Fashion Shows): 1. Collection concept – stylistic coherence, creativity, originality 2. Stage presentation – show choreography, movement, space use 3. Fit to theme/participant age – relevance to the age group and nature of the event 4. Overall aesthetic impression – costumes, accessories, visual and compositional coherence Choirs: 1. Intonation and ensemble sound – clarity, harmony, voice balance 2. Articulation and diction – clarity of text, linguistic correctness 3. Interpretation – emotionality, dynamics, performance style 4. Overall artistic impression – stage presence, audience contact, expression Instrumental Ensembles: 1. Ensemble technique – performance precision, coordination, rhythm 2. Interpretation – expressiveness, understanding of form and style 3. Repertoire choice – suitability to age and level 4. Overall artistic impression – stage presence, audience interaction, originality Information: Groups interested in participating must submit an application with a music accompaniment. The organizing committee arranges accommodation and cultural program (tours) in consultation with the participants. A group’s delegation may include artists and their accompanying persons. There is no limit to the number of performers or accompanying members. During the festival, organizers may invite participating groups to take part in joint events such as the opening and closing ceremonies, parades, accompanying concerts, cocktail receptions, workshops, and more. Attendance of invited groups at such events is mandatory. Festival fees: Ensembles using the festival accommodation package are exempt from the organizational fee - participation in the competition is free of charge for them, up to 4 dances (2 competition entries). In case of submitting more than 4 dances, additional fees apply according to the Terms defined by the Organizer. Applications of soloists and duets are subject to additional payment. Performances of ensembles are given priority in the program. For other participants (who do not use the accommodation package), the following participation fees apply. The number of competition entries is not limited: Groups (10 or more participants) - 15 EUR per participant Groups (5-9 participants) - 17 EUR per participant Quartets - 20 EUR per participant Duets, trios - 25 EUR per participant Soloists - 30 EUR per participant For each additional performance (in another genre category or as a second performance in the same category): Groups (10 or more participants): additional fee of 9 EUR per participant for each extra entry Groups (5-9 participants): additional fee of 12 EUR per participant for each extra entry Duets, trios, quartets: additional fee of 15 EUR per participant for each extra entry Soloists: additional fee of 20 EUR per participant for each extra entry Program: 06.12.2025 Arrival in Kraków. Check-in at the selected accommodation (hotels/hostels). City walk. Dinner. 07.12.2025 Breakfast. Festival day. Stage rehearsals, sound check, technical preparations. Opening ceremony. Competition performances. In the evening - Closing Ceremony and Award Ceremony. Return to the hotel/hostel. Dinner. In your free time, we suggest visiting: Old Town and Main Market Square - St. Mary’s Basilica, Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Lajkonik figure in St. Mary’s Church - self-guided, free of charge. Visit to the enchanting Christmas Market at Kraków’s Main Square. Jewish Quarter Kazimierz - former synagogues, streets with the atmosphere of the film Schindler’s List - self-guided, free of charge. Traditional Polish dinner with a folklore show - €40-45 per person. The Pearl of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship - Wieliczka Salt Mine - underground halls, salt sculptures, Chapel of St. Kinga (ticket €25-40 per person with audio guide). 08.12.2025 Breakfast. Check-out. Departure. Participation fee: 3 days / 2 nights accommodation with half-board Hostel (3-4-5-person rooms): 135 Euro per person 15 + 1 group leader* - free of charge 1 extra day with HB meal plan - 32 EUR Hotel (2-3-4-person rooms): 195 Euro per person 20 + 1 group leader* - free of charge 1 extra day with HB meal plan - 62 -70 EUR *For group leaders, accommodation in twin rooms with amenities Participation fee includes: Accommodation in the selected option for 3 days/ 2 nights Meals: breakfast and dinner. Meals start with dinner on the arrival day and end with breakfast on the departure day Festival participation fee Guided tour of Kraków Official invitation letters and other confirming documents Participation fee does not include: Transportation Optional excursions, museum tickets Personal expenses, local transport - Additional transfer cost: €7-9 per person per ride The organizers support participating groups with the arrangement of additional meals, transportation services, and other matters arising during preparations. Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form. Approved groups pay in advance 10% guarantee fee, which is to be deducted at the final payment.