Director: Mrs. Natalia Kazlova Contest – Festival Objectives: Creative development of individuals; Creating conditions for creative communication and professional growth; Strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between participants from different countries; Promoting the exchange of experience among artistic directors of ensembles and expanding the audience for festival participants; Engaging leading cultural experts and prominent figures in European arts for cooperation with creative groups; Introducing participants to the cultural heritage of Croatia; Preserving and enriching the global cultural and historical heritage. Nominations: Vocal: Pop vocal, Folk songs, Academic vocals, Folklore groups, Choirs, Rock, Jazz. Choreography:Folk dance, Classical dance, Ballroom dance, Modern choreography (jazz, modern, contemporary), Sport dance (r&b, street jazz, hip-hop, soul…), Pop dance (including rock ‘n’ roll, cabaret, variety show, Charleston, retro, folk stylization, MTV comercial dance, dance show, etc); Instrumental music: Pianos (for groups from 10 people), String and plucked instruments (solo, minor forms), Wind instruments (solo, minor forms), Percussion instruments (solo, minor forms), Folk instruments (solo, minor forms), Orchestras and ensembles; Composer’s work Folk art Original genre: circus and sports programs Fashion theatre Theatre Art: Painting, Graphics Presenter, TV presenter, speaker Author’s reading, recitation Arts and crafts Art photography Art video Fashion designer Model / photomodel / fashion show Age categories for participants in nominations: Junior Age Group: Subgroup up to 7 years; Subgroup 8–10 years; Middle Age Group (11–15 years): Subgroup 11–13 years; Subgroup 14–15 years; Senior Age Group (16–20 years): Subgroup 16–17 years; Subgroup 18–20 years; Senior Age Group (21 years and older); Professional Age Group (21 years and older); Mixed Age Group. Competition requirements: Vocal: Soloists, duets, and trios present one piece with a total duration of up to 3 minutes. Small ensembles, groups, and choirs present two contrasting pieces with a total duration of up to 6 minutes. Grading criteria: Vocal predispositions (the temper beauty and the power of voice); The coherence of the repertoire to the performance capabilities and age category of the performer; Performance skills (the clarity of the intonation and the quality of sound); Stage performance (plasticity, performance culture, props); Musicality, artistic interpretation of a musical work; Disclosure of the artistic image. Choreography: Soloists, duets, trios, and quartets present one piece with a total duration of up to 4 minutes. Small groups (5-9 participants) and ensembles present two contrasting pieces with a total duration of up to 7 minutes. Grading criteria: Art skills; Performance technique; Compositions of the performance; Repertoire matching age characteristics of the performers; Stage of performance (calisthenics, costume, requisite, performance); Coherence of the musical material and choreography; Artistry, the disclosure of an artistic image. Instrumental music: Soloists, duets, trios present a composition with a duration lasts up to 4 minutes; Minor forms, groups (ensembles), orchestras present a composition (1-2) with a duration lasts up to 7 minutes. Grading criteria: Performance mastery (the instrumental skills; the sound quality, the technique, the rhythm); Complexity of the repertoire; Artistry (the costume, the art of the performance); Coherence, the sound of the orchestra (for orchestras and ensembles). Technical requirements: Phonograms (minus) must be sent by e-mail no later than 20 days before the start of the competition in a lossless compression format, such as FLAC, WAV, or MP3. The name of each file must contain only Latin letters. Information to be specified: the name of the team or the name and surname of the performer, as well as the name of the performance. Attention! You must have a backup copy of the phonogram on a flash drive. It is not allowed to perform under the phonogram + and duplicate the melody in the accompaniment (double track). It is allowed to use phonograms with recorded BACKING vocals (except for backing vocals that duplicate the main melody!). The organizers provide an electronic piano with the functions of a full-fledged piano. General regulation: The Organizing Committee prepares and arranges the festival. The Organizing Committee approves the composition of the jury. Participants of the festival have the right to advertise their sponsors. To do this, participants electronically send the sponsor's logo (if available), the company name, and the full name of the director (in advance). The Organizing Committee reserves the right to change the program of the day. The Organizing Committee has the right to use and distribute (without paying a fee to the participants) video recordings, printed and other types of products produced during the events of the festival competition and following its results. Video shooting of the contest by participants and their accompanying persons is possible only if they have accreditation! (Penalty for non-compliance 150 euros) Video shooting of workshops is prohibited! Video shooting on a mobile phone is allowed strictly from your seat (sitting), without moving around the hall during the performances of the participants. The Organizing Committee undertakes to send the exact program no later than 5 days before the start of the Festival - Competition. Jury of the Festival: The jury, responsible for making decisions regarding the awarding of prizes, will consist of prominent figures in the culture of Europe and the participating countries of the festival. Scores are given on a 10-point scale. The jury's decision is confirmed and documented in a protocol, and it is final and non-appealable. Awards: The jury determines the winners by awarding the following diplomas to the participants of the festival: Grand Prix in each category (it is possible to award 2 or more Grand Prix in the same category, considering different classifications; for instance, if the jury decides to award both a group and a soloist); 1st, 2nd, 3rd-degree laureate; Diploma Winner of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Degrees; The most talented participants will be offered assistance in gaining admission to a choreographic or musical conservatory/academy in the Czech Republic; Groups of 5 or more participants receive a trophy (one per group, regardless of the number of age categories or nominations submitted), while soloists and small groups are awarded commemorative medals; Managers and concertmasters are awarded diplomas (subject to personal attendance at the Festival). Special awards: Diploma to the youngest participant; Diploma for the best costume; Diploma for the best ballet master's work; Diploma for the best choreographic performance; Diploma for the originality of the interpretation of the work; Diploma for the best classical performance; Diploma for the best performance of folk; Diploma for virtuosity; Diploma for artistry; Diploma for the preservation and enhancement of national traditions. Diploma in honor of the birthday. Registration of participation: Each participant of the Festival (collective or soloist) submits a completed application. By sending a completed application the leader (soloist) automatically confirms that he has read this Regulation of the Festival and agrees with all the points. In response to the application and confirmation of receipt of the documents of intent, the Organizing Committee sends an invoice in the amount of 70% of the main cost of the selected package (this amount includes a non-refundable registration fee of 50 euros per person). This amount is considered as the deposit and will be taken into account in the calculations. After paying the bill, we will send an official invitation to participate in the festival and a confirmation of the reservation at the hotel for submission to the consulate. The rest of the amount must be paid at least 3 weeks before your arrival. The festival fee is paid on site. Attention! All bank expenses are to be paid by the participant! If the embassy refuses to grant entry visas to the participants, the Organizing Committee is not economically responsible. In case of cancellation of the application by the participants (for any reason), the paid fees are subject to the following penalties: Non-refundable registration fee of 50 euros (paid by both participants and accompanying persons), as well as: Cancellation 45–31 days prior – penalty of 75% of the total paid amount Cancellation 30–20 days prior – penalty of 90% of the total paid amount Cancellation 21 days or less prior – penalty of 100% of the total paid amount The organizers are not responsible for any possible damage that the participants may cause during the participation in the Festival Competition. The organizers prepare the texts for diplomas, certificates, and letters of thanks and send them to the participants for approval in advance. In case of non-confirmation by the participants, or confirmation with errors, the organizers do not alter the above material and are not responsible for incorrectly transmitted information for diplomas by the participants. If you want to change the information in the documents, you have to pay 5 euros for 1 document. Participation fee: MAIN Program (6 days, 5 nights): Hotel 3*** Accommodation in triple room – 448 €/person Supplement for double occupancy – 54 EUR per person Supplement for single (SNGL) occupancy – 155 EUR per person Hotel 4**** Accommodation in triple room – 485 €/person Supplement for double occupancy – 58 EUR per person Supplement for single (SNGL) occupancy – 185 EUR per person Special offer for groups of 15 or more: 15+1 leader free in triple room Meals: Rich buffet – 5 breakfasts, 5 dinners according to the main program. Price includes: accommodation with half board, every 16th place for the group leader (free), trophy cups for groups; soloists, duets, trios, quartets receive commemorative medals with the Festival symbol; registration fee; preparation of all necessary documents. ADDITIONAL FEES: Festival Fee: Soloists – €100; Model/Photo Model/Runway – €150; Duets – €75 per participant per nomination; Trios – €65 per participant per nomination; Quartets – €50 per participant per nomination; Small groups (5-9 participants) – €45 per participant; Groups of 10 or more participants – €35 per participant. ATTENTION! The solo category is considered the main one in calculations; other categories are considered additional (if the same soloist participates in duets, trios, or groups). Participation fee does not include: Tourist tax: 1.60 euros/day/person for ages 18+ Ages 12–17 – 0.80 euros/day/person Transport is NOT included! Optional excursions. Entrance tickets to museums. Groups traveling by their own transport pay for their own parking at city hotels. Longer stays are possible upon request. Headsets for excursions are paid separately: 5 euros per person per excursion. The program can be adjusted upon prior agreement. Groups requiring transport during the Festival must submit a written request in advance. The festival organizing committee reserves the right to make changes to the competition schedule. The program is subject to adjustment by prior agreement. Groups requiring transportation during their stay at the Festival must submit an advance written request. Program: Day 1 Arrival in Medulin. Nearest airport: Pula. 15:00 – registration and accommodation in the hotel. Rest by the sea. Dinner. Day 2 Breakfast. Meeting with Festival organizers, consultations. Rest by the sea. Dinner. Day 3 Breakfast. Rest by the sea. Optional: excursion to the city of Pula. Dinner. Day 4 Breakfast. Rehearsal. Competition program. Ceremonial awarding of diplomas and prizes. Dinner. Day 5 Breakfast. Rest by the sea. Dinner. Day 6 Breakfast. Check-out from the hotel by 10:00. Departure. Attention! In case of cancellation of excursions included in the program, no refunds will be given. If the departure is delayed by more than 15 minutes, the transport ordered from the organizers will be canceled without reimbursement. 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.