International Folk Dance and Music Festival "BOSPHORUS"

22-26 October 2021 Istanbul, Turkey

With pleasure we INVITE you (Folk and Choral groups, orchestras, majorette teams), (children, youth and adults groups) to participate on I “International BOSPHORUS Folk Dance and Music festival” 22-26 October 2021 Istanbul, Turkey.

This festival is the perfect occasion for different groups from various countries to gather together so that they could express their culture and nation through dances, music and interesting national costumes.

Istanbul is a major city in Turkey that straddles Europe and Asia across the Bosphorus Strait. Its Old City reflects cultural influences of the many empires that once ruled here. In the Sultanahmet district, the open-air, Roman-era Hippodrome was for centuries the site of chariot races, and Egyptian obelisks also remain. The iconic Byzantine Hagia Sophia features a soaring 6th-century dome and rare Christian mosaics. Istanbul is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. While the majority of the population are Muslims, it's a mix of cultures and backgrounds fused together in one city. It has a mix of Jewish, Greek and Armenian populations. Istanbul has an ancient and diverse history as a meeting point between East and West, Asia and Europe. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, it became the city of Byzantium after Greek settlement in the 7th century BCE. Renamed Constantinople in 330 CE, it was successively the capital of the Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman Empires. After the foundation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, Ankara became the capital of Turkey, but Istanbul remains at the centre of Turkish economic and cultural life.

Program:

21.00 – Welcome reception with the leaders of the groups.

• Welcome Speech
• Open air performance
• Singing and dancing together

20.00 – Second festival evening.

21.00 – Closing ceremony of the festival, workshop with the festival participants, after which will be given certificates and presents for ensembles by organizer, exchange presents between leaders of ensembles…

General rules for participation:

• In the festival can participate folklore groups, orchestras, majorettes, modern dance groups, choirs and music bands from all over the world.
• Non-competitive sample of traditional and modern dances, choral groups, majorette teams, orchestras, brass bands festival.
• Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 dances, 08-12 minutes each with USB or orchestra.
• Folklore groups should take a flag of their country and minimum 4 gifts for the municipality visits and organizers.
• Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form. All filled in and signed applications will mean acceptance of the terms laid by the present regulation.
• The number of the participants are limited (only 3 groups from each country).
• Groups have to send us short CV and min.6 photos of the group by e-mail.
• Until 16th of April 2021 each group should send the list of participants, name/surname, sex, date of birth and passport number.
• Folklore groups should have their own transport for arrival and departure.
• For the groups arriving by plane the festival committee will arrange their airport and festival transfers free of charge.

Participation fee:

• 119 Euro per person for 4 HB per person (4 nights with 2 meals per day) 
  • It covers hotel accommodation with  2 meals per day in: 4* Hampton by Hilton HOTEL in Zeytinburnu, Istanbul Turkey;

Addition day can be booked for 30 euro/person/day with half board service.

Participation fee includes:

• Participation in the festival concerts,
• Professional sound, stage and light equipment.
• Accommodation in 4* Hotels (3 bedded rooms, supplement for a double room is 5€/person/day, supplement for single room is 10€/person/day),
• Half Board hotel accommodation
• Welcome cocktails with the leaders of the groups
• Souvenir and gift for each group
• Certificate for attendance
• Drinks during the performance

Participation fee does not include:

• Transport (for arrival and departure)
• Optional Boat Tour Programs
• Insurance
• What is not specified in the above mentioned “the fee includes”

Invitation letter will be provided if needed.

Thank you for participating at the Folklore festival!