International Music Festival "Festival Days in Durres"

Durrës is the second largest city of Albania located on the central Albanian coast, about 33 km west of the capital Tirana. It is one of the most ancient and economically significant cities of Albania. Durrës is home to Albania's main port, the Port of Durrës, and to the newest public university, the Aleksandër Moisiu University. Durrës is an important link to Western Europe due to its port and its proximity to the Italian port cities, notably Bari, to which daily ferries run. As well as the dockyard, it also possesses an important shipyard and manufacturing industries, notably producing leather, plastic and tobacco products. Some important buildings in Durrës include the main library, the cultural center with the Aleksandër Moisiu Theatre, the Estrada Theater, the puppet theater, and the philharmonic orchestra. There are also several museums such as the Durrës Archaeological Museum, Royal Villa of Durrës and the Museum of History (the house of Aleksandër Moisiu). The city hosts the Durrës Ancient City Wall called also Durrës Castle while the largest amphitheatre in the Balkans is located in the city close to the harbor. This first-century construction is currently under consideration for inscription as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The southern coastal stretch is renowned for its traditional mass beach tourism having experienced uncontrolled urban development. The city's beaches are also a popular destination for many foreign and local tourists, with an estimated 800,000 tourists visiting annually. Many Albanians from Tirana and elsewhere spend their summer vacations on the beaches of Durrës. In 2012, new water sanitation systems are being installed to completely eliminate sea water pollution. In contrast, the northern coastal stretch is mostly unspoiled and set to become an elite tourism destination as a number of beach resorts are being built since 2009. Neighboring districts are known for the production of good wine and a variety of foodstuffs.

Purpose of the festival:

The International Music Festival “Festival Days in Durres” is a celebration of cultural diversity which is best shown through music. The main purpose of the festival is to celebrate the richness of the diverse cultural roots of different countries. Different countries will show their specific identity and the other countries will learn something more about other people’s history and customs. The main purpose of the festival is to provide a field for folk and modern groups and singers from different countries to show the uniqueness of their folklore, to preserve and promote their culture, tradition and cultural heritage and to make new friendships.

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 10 - 12 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 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:

• 69 Euro per person for 3 nights half board (2 meals per day)
• 89 Euro per person for 4 nights half board (2 meals per day)

Participation fee includes:

• Accommodation according to the price selected and meals (HB: breakfast and dinner)
• 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.
• Free parking for the bus
• On request, each group will have a person available to accompany them on their excursions.
• Certificates for participation.  

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).
• Albanian tourist tax (1 euro per person per day).

Program Proposal:

Day 1
Checking in the hotel, free time for individual activities
Meeting with the organizer in order to discuss details about the festival; upon arrival groups will be given a program with exact time schedule for each of the activities mentioned in this program.
Dinner in the hotel    
Free night