Director: Mr. Milenko Andreski POGRADEC is a city and municipality in central Albania, situated on the shores of the Ohrid lake. The lake is one of Europe’s deepest and oldest lakes. This city is surrounded by hills on the southern and western sides. The lake is in the eastern and northern side of the city. The highway linking to Tirana, Elbasan, and Korçë passes through the city. Pogradec has located about 139 km from Tirana, the capital city of Albania, 40 km from Korça, and 5 km from North Macedonia. Pogradec is the last railway station: Tirana - Durrës - Elbasan - Librazhd -Pogradec and located along SH3 road that passes through Devoll and continues to Greece. Translake transport started on 15 June 2014 with a tourist ferry between Pogradec and Ohrid, but the service is sporadic and unreliable. Purpose of the festival: The main purpose of this festival is to bring different cultures closer through songs, dances, music and interesting national costumes. The main idea of the organizers is to bring to the festival different choirs, folklore and modern dance groups from different countries and different parts of the world and to give them the exclusive opportunity to display their artistry and creativity on the stage. The participants will have the opportunity to meet new people, establish new friendships and learn about different cultures and traditions. The idea of the festival is to develop communication and dialogue between diverse cultures, by nurturing tradition as well as modern dance styles, thus combining the traditional and the modern in a timeline that will take the spectators from history to modern times. Conditions of the festival: Groups from all over the world can take part in this festival. Folk dance groups, modern dance groups, choirs, but also majorette teams and brass bands and orchestras are welcome to apply. The number of participants and followers is not limited. There is no age limit. It is necessary to prepare minimum one program with the duration of 12-15 minutes per program. Each group should bring the national flag of the country that they represent. It is also necessary to visibly display panel on which the name of your group and the name of your country is inscribed. It is recommended that groups should bring about 8-10 small gifts for exchange. Participants can perform with orchestras (recommended) or with recorded music (on CD or USB). In order to participate in this festival, every group needs to fill in an application form. When applying, if possible, please provide some photos, videos or brief history of the group. These materials will be used for promotional and advertizing purposes (in advertisements, fliers and posters). After receiving the application form and completion of advance payment, the organizer will send an official letter of invitation for participation at the Festival. Participation fee: Basic category - Villas, Apartments: 149 Euro per person for 5 days - 4 nights half board (breakfast, and dinner) 183 Euro per person for 6 days - 5 nights half board (breakfast, and dinner) Category Hotel: 169 Euro per person for 5 days - 4 nights half board (breakfast, and dinner) 210 Euro per person for 6 days - 5 nights half board (breakfast, and dinner) For a group of 25 people, 1 is free (24+1). Accommodation: We offer accommodation in hotels and apartments. Groups will be accommodated in rooms with 3 and 4 beds with private bathroom. There are only 2 double rooms available per group that can be used for leaders and drivers. For each additional double room, the group has to pay an additional 8 Euro per person per day. For a single room, 50% of the amount should be paid extra. If the group expresses interest in extending the stay, the organizers should be notified during the application. The groups will settle in after 12:00, and leave the rooms before 10:00. Participation fee does not include: On request, a professional tour guide can be hired to accompany the group on their excursions, but the travel guide expenses will be covered by the group. Health insurance (First Aid and Medical Hospital will be available, medical services must be covered by the group). Parking for the bus. Important! The Albanian tourist tax and insurance (1.5 Euro per person per day) is not included in the price and is paid upon arrival and accommodation. Preliminary program: Day 1: Accommodation in hotel, free time for individual activities Meeting with the organizer to discuss the details of the festival; upon arrival, groups will receive a program with the exact schedule for each of the activities listed in this program Dinner in hotel Free overnight stay Day 2: Breakfast in hotel Time for individual activities (beach time, shopping, sightseeing…) Dinner in hotel Free overnight stay Day 3: Breakfast First option: Second option: Excursion visit to the city of Podgradec, visit to cultural and historical monuments. Each group will go with its own bus, organized Third option: Time for individual activities (beach time, shopping, sightseeing…) Parade and first festival evening (participants’ performance) Dinner Day 4: Breakfast at hotel First option: Visit to the city of Korça with own transport Second option: Bus excursion Visit to the historical city of Berat, sightseeing of historical monuments and museums, Each group will go with its own bus Parade and second festival evening (participants’ performance) Dinner at hotel Day 5: Breakfast at hotel Time for individual activities (beach time, shopping, sightseeing…) Dinner at hotel Free overnight stay Day 6: Breakfast at hotel Check-out from hotels *The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the festival program. 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. As a next step: As confirmation of its participation in this folklore festival, a group pays 10% in advance and the rest not later than 15 days before the festival by bank transfer or upon the group’s arrival at the hotel, according to the previous agreement with the organizers. This deposit is non-reimbursable if you later decide not to come, for any reason. In case of unexpected circumstances or Force Majeure, the organizer reserves the right to change the date of the event. Considering the current economic situation in Europe, in the event of further price increases, we reserve the right to subsequently adjust our prices. Any banking costs that may arise must be paid by the applicant.