Director: Mrs. Ludmila Pritulchik St. Petersburg is the most European city of Russia and one of the most beautiful cities of the World. In the fullness of time the best Italian architects, Dutch engineers and French artists worked here. And as a result, this city has found its unique image that was glorified by the classics of Russian literature. The jury of the festival is the teachers of the legendary St. Petersburg theatrical academy! Salute to Talents International Project was established in 2008. Salute to Talents is the system of prestigious international festivals-contests for children and youth combined with extensive excursion program. During 2017-2018 academic year (festival season) a range of festivals-contests is held in various cities all around the world. The Super Final of the festival season will be held in October 2018 in Saint Petersburg. The 1-st degree Laureates at any of the festivals-contests, held during the festival season 2017 – 2018 in the framework of the Salute to Talents project, are allowed to take part in Super Final. Nominations: Theatre: Art of declamation; Drama theatre; Musical; Mimics and Gesture theatre; Fashion performance; Puppet-show Group categories of participants: Soloists Small Groups (2-3 participants) Ensembles Choirs (vocal groups over 12 people) Orchestras (instrumental ensembles of more than 8 people) Age categories of members: Pre-School age group – up 7 years Junior age group – 7-10 years Middle age group – 11-13 years Senior age group – 14 -18 years Mixed junior age group – average age of 12 years or less Mixed senior age group – average age of over 13 years Adult age group – over 18 years The rules of participation: Participation in the festival-contest means participation in one nomination, one age category, and one group category. In the frames of one participation ensembles, choirs and orchestras present a program of two different items (acts), lasting not more than 4 minutes each. In the nominations “Theatre” and “Instrumental art” (ensembles and orchestras) it is allowed to present only one item lasting not more than 10 minutes. Soloists and small groups present a program of one item lasting not more than 5 minutes. In the nomination “Instrumental art” soloists and small groups may present two items lasting not more than 5 minutes together. If the participants exceed the time limit, jury is entitled to stop the performance and disqualify the participants. Rehearsals and performances are held strictly in accordance with the schedule provided by the art-manager of the festival-contest. Changes to the concert program are accepted by written notification of the art-manager of the festival not later than 21 day before the beginning of the festival tour. Participation in the “Fine art” nomination is held in the form of exhibition, which takes place during the festival-contest. In the frames of one participation it is possible to present 1 or 2 works (all works should be signed), the size of the works (the base area of craftwork) should be 50 x 70 cm or less. In case of using the sound recordings the participants should send them to the art-manager of the festival by e-mail and also bring it on a flash drive or CD (each track on separate CD). All the technical and musical equipment which is necessary (technical rider) should be indicated in the Request. Jury of the Festival: The jury of the festival-contest is composed of well-known actors, teachers of art disciplines, directors, leaders of art groups, culture and art figures, public figures. The list of jury members is not announced before the day of the festival. At the end of the festival teachers have the opportunity to discuss with the jury members all the performances and exchange their opinions. All the performances are estimated by generally accepted criteria: technical skills (according to nomination), artistry, the complexity of the repertoire (program), the creation of artistic character etc., according to the subjective jury’s opinions. Prizes and awards: All the participants receive souvenirs. In each nomination, age and group category the participants get the titles of I, II, III degree Laureates, as well as the title of Diplomant. Laureates are awarded with diplomas and cups. Diplomants are awarded with diplomas only. The jury also chooses the winner of Grand Prix from one of the 1st degree Laureates. Owner of the Grand Prix has an opportunity to participate in one of the festivals-contests of the Salute to Talents Project in the same nomination during the festival season without participation fee. Special diplomas which are issued if the jury decides that there are distinguished participants, are: “The best Choreographer”, “The best accompanist”, “The best choirmaster”, “The best Director”, “The best costume”, “The most artistic participant”, “The Youngest participant”, “Best fine art work”. Teachers, directors and accompanists will get official letters of gratefulness and certificates confirming that they attended a round table discussion. Participation fee: 100 Euro per person - accommodation in economy tourist hotel in rooms for 4-5 people, for 3 nights on base Bed and breakfast (on buffet) 118 Euro per person - accommodation in Hotel "365 SPB" 3* in rooms for 4 people, for 3 nights on base Bed and breakfast (on buffet) 125 Euro per person - accommodation in Hotel "Fontanka" 3* in double room, for 3 nights on base Bed and breakfast (on buffet) 137 Euro per person - accommodation in Hotel "Azimut" 4* in double room, for 3 nights on base Bed and breakfast (on buffet) Discounts: For a group of 15 participants - 1 place free of charge. Participation tax for one nomination: 15 Euro for one ensemble participant (no more than 500 EURO for an ensemble) 25 Euro for a soloist * Not included into the price of the trip. The number of rooms at the hotels is limited! Booking will be made upon a prepayment. The price is valid for a group of 40 and more people. This price includes group transfer during the program. In case if the group is less than 40 people, there will be recalculation of the price due to individual transfer and city tour. The price includes city tour in English or Russian languages. Extra payment for a guide will take place if the group has a need to have city tour in other languages. Participation fee includes: 3 nights at the chosen hotel 3 breakfasts and 2 lunches City Tour in Saint-Petersburg Tour to Pushkin Transfer according to the program Participation fee doesn't include: Any museum’s admissions and ticketing Additional transfer Additional days at the hotel Additional lunch (depending on the hotel) Meeting in the airport Program: Day 1 - 24.03 Recommended arrival time is from 8:00 to 12:00. Meeting with the guide at the railway station (at around 8.00 a.m.). Meeting at the airport for extra cost. City tour: central squares and embankments, Vasilyevsky Island, Nevsky Prospect, Saint Isaac's Cathedral, Kazan Cathedral, Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Lunch during the tour. Check-in at the hotel at 2:00 p.m. Lunch. Night in the hotel. Day 2 – 25.03 Festival Day Breakfast. Transfer to the concert hall. Rehearsals. Competitive performance. Round table for jurors and teachers. Gala concert. Award ceremony, Handing out of diplomas, Winners Cups and souvenirs to the participants as well as letters of thanks. The round table with participation certificates for teachers. Lunch during the festival day. Transfer to the hotel. Night in the hotel. Day 3 – 26.03 Breakfast. Free time or additional tours for extra cost: Hermitage Museum The Kunstkammer Russian Museum Kronstadt – a beautiful city and seaport Memorial estate Petergof Palaces and gardens of Pavlovsk. Night in the hotel. Day 4 – 25.03 Breakfast. Check-out before 12:00. Tour to Pushkin – former residence of Russian Emperors. During this tour you will be able to walk in the Catherine park and for extra cost you can also visit Catherine Palace and /or Tsarskoe Selo Lyceum. Transfer to train station. Recommended departure time – after 16:00. Transfer to the airport for extra cost. 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.