Директор: г-жа Александра Борисова With the support of: Committee on Interethnic Relations and the Implementation of Migration Policy in St. Petersburg Permanent Mission of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) to the President of the Russian Federation; European Association of Folklore Festivals (EAFF) Festival Hotel: Hotel Moscow**** (Address: Ploshad Alexandra Nevskogo, 2) Competition venue: Cinema and Concert Hall (Address: Ploshad Alexandra Nevskogo, 2) Stage size: Length - 17 m, width in the center - 7 m, at the edges - 5 m. Covering – carpet Why to participate in «Northern rainbow” festivals? During 14 years our festivals are soulful events that bring together talented people from all over the world. We want the participants of our festivals to mutually enrich each other’s cultures, to get acquainted and make friends with representatives of different countries and nations. Therefore, we hold joint events on the best stages and venues - concerts, sightseeings, friendship parties, master classes, flash mobs, presentations of groups, friendly dinners with the jury, exchange of souvenirs and other activities. We value the comfort of our participants; therefore, we place you in the most respectable 4* hotels, order quality food, offer licensed guides and proven buses. Our team takes care of you 24 hours a day. We always meet our participants at the train terminals or at the airport. You can always contact us for help or advice or just order any excursions and book tickets to entertainments. All photos of the competition are sent to participants free of charge. Videos of the performance are posted on our YouTube channel We give souvenirs to all participants, and special prizes from our partners for the best performers. Moreover, we invite our laureates to international government festivals without payment or with significant discounts. Over 14 years of work, we have a reputation as a reliable partner and conscientious organizer of cultural events not only in Russia, but also abroad. We are a member of the European Association of Folklore Festivals and cooperate with the International Dance Council of UNESCO and various international organizations in Turkey, India, Bulgaria, Cuba, Colombia, Malaysia and other countries. Goals and objectives: The XII International Folklore Festival “Keeping traditions” (hereinafter referred to as the “Festival”) is held with the aim of preserving and developing the multinational cultural heritage of Russia, popularizing public diplomacy through the exchange of cultural values and traditions of the peoples of the world. The festival promotes the strengthening of civil peace and interethnic harmony, and is aimed at developing and strengthening friendly cultural ties between creative groups of the Russian Federation and foreign countries. Objectives of the festival: Identification and promotion of the best folk performers Improving the professional skills of team leaders and teachers Development of friendship, mutual understanding and cultural cooperation between creative groups of the Russian Federation and foreign countries Raising the younger generation in the spirit of patriotism and developing mutual respect for the cultural traditions and customs of other ethnic groups Attracting attention from state, public and international organizations to the problems of creative groups and performers Conditions: Creative groups and soloists of any genre are allowed to participate in the festival, if they have submitted an application for participation and paid the registration fee. Age of participants from 5 years and older without restrictions. Performance programme: Each participant prepares a competition piece and presentation programme for Friendship Party. The duration of the competition performance is no more than 4 minutes. For theatrical performances, folklore rituals, dance shows the duration of the performance is strictly up to 8 minutes. Folk dances and rituals, songs and music based on the folk material of any region or any country, both in authentic performance and in modern processing are most welcomed. Accommodation: Festival Hotel: Moscow**** (Address: Ploshad Alexandra Nevskogo, 2) The best location in St. Petersburg! The hotel is located in the historical heart of the city at the intersection of Nevsky and Al. Nevskiy avenue. Meals: 3 meals daily: buffet breakfast, buffet lunch/dinner Nominations: Vocal: (academic, folk, pop, jazz) Choirs: (academic, folklore) Theatrical creativity: (art word, author's poem, musical performance, dramatic performance, puppet theatre) Instrumental creativity: (classical music, folk music, pop music, jazz music) Folklore: (song folklore, theatrical folklore performance) Fashion Theater: (national costume, pret-a-porte, evening collection, historical costume, modern suit, fantasy collections) Choreography: (folk, folk-stylized, modern, variety, children's story-game dance, contemporary, modern, dance theater, dance show) Age categories: I. 5-6 years old II. 7-9 years old III. 10-12 years old IV. 13-16 years old V. 17-44 years old VI. 45 and over VII. Mixed * Note: In the nominations "Fashion theatres" and "Theatrical creativity" nominees are not distributed by age categories. Jury: To evaluate competitive performances, a competent Jury is created. It includes cultural and art figures, famous artists, art-directors, teachers, representatives of creative, public and government organizations in Russia and foreign countries. The chairman of the jury has the right to 2 votes, if a controversial situation arises. The jury does not take into account the age, financial capabilities, social affiliation, nationality and place of residence of the contestants - only creativity on absolutely equal terms in accordance with these regulations. The jury may decide to cancel the festival in one of the nominations or combine the age categories specified in these regulations due to an insufficient number of submitted applications. The jury has the right to: award not all titles, to divide the titles of laureates between performers, to award special prizes to teachers for outstanding achievements, and to decide to terminate a performance that goes beyond the regulations. The jury's decision is final and not subject to discussion. Criteria for evaluation: Complexity and technique of performance Artistic impression (creating an image, revealing content, emotionality, artistry) Presentation (costume, props, direction, musical accompaniment, selection of repertoire, stage design) Difficulty of performance and compliance of the repertoire with age Awarding: The organization of the prize fund is the responsibility of the Festival Organizing Committee. Any organization or individual is allowed to make charitable contributions to the festival and establish its own prizes. The number of laureates and diploma holders is not limited, since there is a qualification system for evaluating competitors, and not comparing them with each other. In each nomination and age category, the titles of laureates of I, II, III degrees are awarded, as well as the title of diploma holders of I, II, III degrees. The laureates are awarded cups and diplomas. Diploma recipients are awarded diplomas. The Grand Prix is awarded to the Best Children's Performer and the Best Adult Performer with the most votes from the Jury members. The Grand Prix laureates are awarded the Grand Prix Cup, a diploma, Certificate 15,000 rubles for participation in any “Northern Rainbow” festivals&tours during 2026-2027 and a memorable prize at the discretion of the festival partners. Each participant is awarded a festival souvenir. Participation fee: 299 Euro per person for 3 FB (Full Board) Every 16th is free! (15+1) Participation fee includes: DBL/TWIN accommodation in hotel 4* 3 meals daily Airport - hotel - airport transfer Airport pick-up by a festival coordinator Hotel-festival venue-hotel transfer St. Petersburg city tour English-speaking guide Competition fee for one nomination Cup and diploma for a group Festival souvenir for each participant Letter of thanks to the teacher Every 16th is free Notes: Please note kindly hotel registration fee (250 rubles) will be charged by a hotel upon check-in. All travel expenses to St. Petersburg and back are borne by the participants of the festival or the delegating organizations. The recommended date of arrival at St.Petersburg is March 26. Departure date is March 29. Check-in time: 14:00 (2 PM), check-out: 12:00 (12:00 AM) Guests can extend their stay for an additional fee. Optional excursions or tailor-made tours available upon request at an additional fee. 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. As a next step: Registration to the festival and booking will be made after 30% prepayment is made to the Organizer's account. Prepayment is paid is paid within 3 days after receiving the Confirmation and Invoice in full. If the festival fee is paid by an organization, you must provide details of the legal entity. Full payment for the festival accommodation package is due by February 25, 2026. Cancellation policy: In case of cancellation of participation, the Organizer withholds the amount of actual expenses incurred and returns the amount to the participant minus hotel penalties. In case of refusal to participate due to force majeure circumstances affecting the participant, the refund is made minus the actual expenses incurred and taking into account the penalties of the hotel in the presence of a document (in case of illness - certificate of incapacity for work for children, sick leave - for adults).