Директор: Victoria Mikhailova International Competition and Festival "Warsaw Art Inspiration" 15-17 November 2025 16 November 2025 - Competition Day Warsaw, Poland Event Venue: City Center OKĘCKA SALA WIDOWISKOWA - DOM KULTURY WŁOCHY Stage size: 12 × 10 m Our main mission is to nurture a conscious and active cultural audience while fostering sensitivity to the arts. We create a space for interaction between artists and audiences, where meaningful dialogue takes place. Our goal is to promote deeper understanding, inspire new achievements, and encourage more effective creative and social development. Children’s, youth, and adult groups, as well as solo performers and small ensembles, are welcome to participate. Nominations: A detailed description of each genre is available at the end of the regulations to help participants choose the appropriate category: Classical Dance Folk Dance and Authentic Folklore Folk Stylization and Adaptation Dances of the World Variety Dance Contemporary Choreography (modern, contemporary, lyrical, improvisation, and related styles) Street Dance (hip-hop, breakdance, house, and other styles) Ballroom Dance (European and Latin American programs) Character Dance Historical Dance (recreation of dances from various historical periods: Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque, etc.) Stage Dance (theatrical performances, narrative compositions) Dance Theatre, Choreographic Miniatures Acrobatic Choreography (formations, dance performances with acrobatic elements) Fantasy Dance / Fairy-Tale Staging Show Program / Dance Show Experimental / Author’s Choreography Styles such as K-pop, High Heels, and Bellydance are accepted exclusively in the "Adults" age category Technical requirements: The competition program is time-limited. Soloists, duets - 1 or 2 performances with a total duration of up to 3 minutes Trios, quartets - 1 or 2 performances with a total duration of up to 4 minutes Small groups (5-9 participants) - 1 or 2 performances with a total duration of up to 5 minutes Groups and ensembles (10 or more participants) - 1 or 2 performances with a total duration of up to 9 minutes Participants are entitled to compete in multiple genres by submitting separate applications and paying a separate fee for each entry. The festival is competitive in nature. Age groups: Mini kids: 4-6 years old Kids: 7-9 years old Children: 10-13 years old Junior: 14-17 years old Adults: 18 years old and above Senior: 50 years old and above Mixed groups To participate in the festival, it is necessary to submit an application along with a HIGH-QUALITY musical accompaniment. If the performance exceeds the reserved time in the application, the Organizer reserves the right to stop the performance. Awards: DIAMOND GRAND PRIX - the festival’s highest and most exclusive award, granted only in exceptional cases for outstanding artistic achievements by unanimous jury decision. The absolute winner receives the GRAND PRIX, a Grand Prix diploma, a commemorative gift, festival medals, individual diplomas, and a winner’s trophy. At the jury’s discretion, a Small Grand Prix may also be awarded. Winners of 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th places receive festival medals, individual diplomas, and a trophy for the group or soloist. Participant Diploma - awarded to groups or soloists who receive a score below 4th place; participants also receive festival medals, individual diplomas, and a group trophy. Debut Diploma - for participants in the MINI KIDS category (ages 4–6); participants receive festival medals, individual diplomas, and a group trophy. Discovery of the Festival Diploma - may be awarded to a soloist, group, or choreographer for a notable creative breakthrough or an original staging concept. Best Choreography Diploma - for a choreographer or group for excellence in composition, musicality, and stage cohesion. Artistry Diploma - for exceptional emotion, charisma, and expressiveness. Best Costume Diploma - for originality and coherence of stage appearance. All teachers, choreographers, group leaders, and ensemble directors receive Certificates of Appreciation from the organizers and the jury. All participants are awarded commemorative gifts, festival backpacks, participant badges, magnets, festival notebooks, and other festival souvenirs (contents may vary). Festival fees: Ensembles using the festival accommodation package are exempt from the organizational fee - participation in the competition is free of charge for them, up to 4 dances (2 competition entries). In case of submitting more than 4 dances, additional fees apply according to the Terms defined by the Organizer. Applications of soloists and duets are subject to additional payment. Performances of ensembles are given priority in the program. For other participants (who do not use the accommodation package), the following participation fees apply. The number of competition entries is not limited: Groups (10 or more participants) - €15 per participant Groups (5-9 participants) - €17 per participant Quartets - €20 per participant Duets, trios - €25 per participant Soloists - €30 per participant For each additional performance (in another genre category or as a second performance in the same category): Groups (10 or more participants): additional fee of €9 per participant for each extra entry Groups (5-9 participants): additional fee of €12 per participant for each extra entry Duets, trios, quartets: additional fee of €15 per participant for each extra entry Soloists: additional fee of €20 per participant for each extra entry Jury: The jury is formed by the organizers and consists of leading representatives of culture and the arts: professional performers, educators, choreographers, directors, musicians, and other distinguished figures from participating countries. The permanent jury includes 4-5 members. Evaluation is conducted on a 10-point scale. Criteria are applied separately within each genre, age group, and participation format (solo, small group, ensemble), ensuring objectivity, accuracy, and fairness in assessing technical proficiency, artistic expression, and professional preparation. Evaluation criteria: Classical Dance: technical precision, clarity of positions and movements, repertoire appropriateness for participants’ age, artistry. Folk Dance and Authentic Folklore: technical accuracy, authenticity, consistency of music and costumes with tradition. Folk Stylization and Adaptation: technical level, stylistic integrity, musical and thematic appropriateness for the age group, artistic interpretation. Dances of the World: technical quality, accurate portrayal of national styles, expressiveness of image. Variety Dance: technical execution, rhythm, synchronization, suitability of music and image to the age group, stage presence. Contemporary Choreography: technical mastery, plasticity, emotional expressiveness, music and content appropriate to age, compositional cohesion. Street Dance: command of chosen style, rhythm, clarity, music appropriate to age group, stage presentation. Note: Participants are encouraged to consider age-appropriate content, adherence to stage ethics, and balanced stylistic expression. Ballroom Dance: technical proficiency in pair and group performance, coordination, alignment with European or Latin programs. Character Dance: movement technique, style portrayal, music appropriate to age, artistry. Historical Dance: technical execution of period choreography, stylistic authenticity, appropriate costumes and music. Stage Dance: technical quality, narrative clarity, music suitable for the age group, artistry, dramaturgical completeness. Dance Theatre: technical skill, dramaturgical integrity, alignment of music and theme with age, emotional depth. Acrobatic Choreography: technique and cleanliness of acrobatic elements, safety, artistry. Fantasy Dance / Fairy-Tale Performance: technical execution, imagery, age-appropriate music, visual design, dramaturgical cohesion. Show Program: technical performance, visual impact, synchronization, music and image suitability, costumes, decorations, use of props. Experimental / Author’s Choreography: technical movement vocabulary, originality, music and theme appropriate to age, compositional integrity, logical and cohesive dramaturgy. Styles K-pop, High Heels, Bellydance: technical level in chosen style, clarity, stage presentation, aesthetic appropriateness for the age group and adherence to stage ethics. Program: 15 November 2025 Arrival in Warsaw. Free time in the city (recommended sights): Castle Square, Royal Castle, Market Square, Old Town, Wilanów Palace: Baroque and Splendor, Multimedia Fountain Park. Dinner. 16 November 2025 - COMPETITION DAY Breakfast. Festival day - stage rehearsals and preparations. Opening Ceremony. Competition performances. Masterclass (topic to be confirmed): Masterclass conducted by a Polish choreographer, director, dance or stage performance instructor. Masterclass in Polish folk dance (polski taniec ludowy), stage costume, or theatrical make-up. In the evening - Festive Closing Ceremony and Awards Presentation. Return to the hotel/hostel. Dinner. 17 November 2025 Breakfast. Check-out according to hotel policy. Participation fee: 2 HB in 2* hotel - 150 Euro per person 2 HB in 3* hotel - 205 Euro per person (please confirm the package price) * 20 +1 free of charge Double, triple, or quadruple rooms Group leaders are accommodated in double or triple rooms. Participation fee includes: Accommodation in 2* or 3* hotels for 3 days / 2 nights (arrangements agreed in advance with group leaders) Half board meals (breakfasts and dinners), starting with dinner on the arrival day and ending with breakfast on the departure day For groups of 20 or more participants, a special offer applies: 20+1 leader free of charge Official invitations Participation fee does not include: Festival participation fee Optional excursions, museum tickets (walking tour of Warsaw: groups of 20+ participants - €12/person) Personal expenses, local public transport tickets * The organizers assist participating groups in arranging additional meals, transport services, and other matters arising during preparation. Explanation of dance genres: Classical Dance - Academic choreography, including variations from the classical ballet repertoire, pas de deux, and ensemble pieces. Contemporary Choreography - Compositions in modern styles such as modern, contemporary, jazz, lyrical jazz, jazz-funk, contemporary ballet, experimental, and frame up. Variety Dance - Vibrant stage performances emphasizing dynamic movement, rhythm, and visual impact. Folk Dance (Authentic) - Traditional folk dances performed in their original form, preserving characteristic movement vocabulary, costumes, and music. Folk Stylization and Adaptation (Folk Fusion) - Stage interpretations of folk dances incorporating modern choreographic techniques or adapted staging. Dances of the World - Performances based on the national dance traditions of various countries (flamenco, Indian classical dance, Irish step dance, African dance, etc.). Historical Dance - Reconstructions of dances representative of specific historical eras (Baroque, Renaissance, 19th century) performed in period costumes. Street Dance / Urban Styles - Hip-hop, house, locking, popping, krump, waacking, vogue, breakdance, dancehall, jazz-funk. Ballroom and Sports Dance - European and Latin American programs, performed solo, in pairs, in formation (synchronized group performance), or as a showcase (sequential presentation of dances united by a common theme or storyline). Children’s Stage Dance - Choreographic performances featuring elements of play, fairy-tale plots, or themes adapted for younger children. Show Program / Dance Show - Productions incorporating theatrical elements, lighting or visual effects, dynamic transitions, and expressive imagery. Theatrical Dance - Narrative pieces combining dance, pantomime, and elements of acting. Dance Theatre - Choreographic productions where dance is the primary means of conveying the storyline, theme, or idea. Experimental Choreography - Performances featuring unconventional choices in movement, space, or dance structure. Author’s Choreography - Original pieces created by the choreographer in their own style or blending multiple genres. Fantasy Dance / Fairy-Tale Performance – Imaginative or narrative dances inspired by fairy tales, legends, or fantasy stories with vivid visual design. Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form. Approved groups pay in advance 10% guarantee fee, which is to be deducted at the final payment.