Director: Mr. Dragan Petkovich We are inviting you to come to the VII International Folklore Festival in Paralia - Katerini from 08.07. - 13.07.2023 Participants are ensembles from Russia, Lithvania, Lathvia, Poland, Ukraine, Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Armenia, Georgia, Indonesia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Austria… Program of the festival: 08 July - Arrival of the groups to Paralia. Accommodation of the groups. Info meeting of the group representatives, giving useful and practical information about Paralia and staying of the groups in Paralia. Dinner. The possibility of going to some of the Discoteques. Overnight stay. 09 July - Breakfast. In the morning the possibility of going to the famous Meteora. Travelling past Katerini, Olympus and Larisa to Meteora. A tour of the medieval monasteries, the monuments of special importance (Great Meteora, Holy Trinity, Varlam ...). Upon completion of the tour, a shorter stay in the picturesque town of Kalambaka and a visit to one of the icon "factories ". The journey through the gorges Tembi, near the monastery of Agia Paraskevi and the source of Daphne with a short break. Return to Paralia. Dinner. Optional: Greek night at the Tavern or going to the Disco. Overnight stay. 10 July - Breakfast. The possibility of going to Katerini, the capital of Pieria. Free time for walking, sightseeing, shopping… Return to Paralia in the afternoon. Dinner. Preparation of the Folklore Ensembles for the Performance. The parade of all Festival Groups. Opening ceremony of the VII International Folklore Festival in Paralia !!! Folklore group performances. Awarding certificates, plaques and gifts. Possible going to a mutual friendly night !!! Overnight stay. 11 July - Breakfast. Possibility of a half-day tour of the foothills of Mount Olympus, as well as of the picturesque town of Litochoro. Afternoon return to the resort. Dinner. Preparation for the second night of Festival. Ensemble performances. The possibility of going to a Greek night or to the Disco. Overnight stay. 12 July - Breakfast. Facultative tour to Thessaloniki, departure for Thessaloniki on morning hours. A panoramic tour of the White Tower, Rotonda, Galerius arch, Church of the Saint Apostles, the Saint Sofia and St. Demetrius – a patron saint of Thessaloniki. Return to Paralia. Dinner. The possibility of going to one of the Discos. Overnight stay. 13 July - Breakfast. Free time till evening and moving of all Ensembles back to their arrival point of departure with another meeting next year. Participation fee: 165 Euro per person Participation fee includes: Accommodation in Villas in Paralia and Olympic Beach like: Vila Fluris, Vila Victoria Inn, Vila Violet, Vila Odiseas, Vila Kromlidis, Vila Oasis... in 1/3 and 1/4 Studios or Apartments on the basis of 5 half-boards (breakfast and dinner) – supplement for 1/2 rooms is 5 Euro per persons per night Free place of each 25th member (24+1) Diplomas Letter of invitation Participation fee does not include: Tourist tax (0.50 Euro per room per night) There is a possibilityof additional charges for the extra day at a price of 20 – 25 Euro for the half board, according to the accommodation Optional excursions (Pirate cruise 20 Euro, Greek Night 18 Euro, Skiathos 30 Euro, a tour of Katerini 5 Euro, a trip to Meteora 20 Euro, a one-day trip to Thessaloniki 20 Euro, a tour of Litochoro and Dion 10 Euro, Discoteques 6 - 8 Euro) Travel expenses, travel insurance, parking at the hotels, vignettes, the toll... All excursions shall be booked up to 14 days before the start of the festival Organizing Committee can not guarantee the realization of Excursions, ordered after the time-limit or during the festival Note: all the ensembles must provide their own music, accompanying orchestra or music CD. Each ensemble is required to prepare a performance of 10 minutes. THE NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS IS LIMITED! 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.