International Folklore Festival "Braid"

Welcome to Ohrid, the Pearl on the Balkans, as our visitors tend to say. Ohrid is a blend of the traditional and the contemporary, the main spiritual, cultural and touristic center in Macedonia, a UNESCO World Heritage site as a cultural, and with the Ohrid Lake as a natural rarity. The numerous historical monuments found in their close surrounding speak of the tradition and dedication of the Macedonian people. You can explore the history and the culture, go shopping, go on different excursions and enjoy the gastronomy of this city. Here, as a rarity scarcely found anywhere else, the deep traces merge eras and empires, kingdoms and quests, weaving the fine thread of historical continuity on the Balkans. On the other hand, nature hasn’t spared its beauties stretched down from the lake shores and up to the Galichica Mountain on which peak one can enjoy the sight of two lakes, the Ohrid and the Prespa Lake. Explore and choose your favorite beaches and fun places for daytime or nighttime, choose a restaurant where you can eat and drink and taste the homemade food while listening to our traditional music. Visit the city museums, gates, churches and galleries. You can learn about the history of our town. Go on a tour on the lake, mountains and surrounding villages. Enjoy your stay in Ohrid! Stay as long as you can and Ohrid will stay with you forever.

Purpose of the festival:

Terms and condtions 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 (beside youth and children participants, older or veterans also may participate).
• 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 12 – 15 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 advertising 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.
• The rest of the payment should be completed immediately after the group arrives in order to take part at the festival.

Participation fee:

Festival organizers provide:

• Accommodation in hotels and apartments, according to the price selected;
• 2 double rooms per group with no supplement to be paid (one for the leaders of the group and another for the drivers of the bus). The rest of the rooms are with 3 and 4 beds;
• Tourist guides for sightseeing of the town (on request only);
• Advertising of the festival (press conference, radio, TV channels, posters and flyers);
• Professional sound equipment: (2 bass speakers, 4 satellite speakers, 2 monitor speakers…);
• Professional light equipment;
• Certificates for participation in the festival;
• Drinks during the performance;
• Souvenir and gift for each group;
• DVD and photos of the festival.

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 in the center of the town.
• Macedonian tourist tax (0.80 cents Euro per person per day).

Program: