WorldFestivalAssociation

 N V I T A T I O N

     With pleasure we INVITE you (folk groups, Choral groups and orchestras, art schools, ballroom dance groups, modern dance groups,  majorette teams), (children, youth and adults groups) to participate on  International music & Dance  festival “SARAJEVO 2024 ” 08 - 11 August 2024,Sarajevo,Bosnia & Herzegovina   

  The intention of our invitation  and the Festival light motive is to present the cultural tradition of different countries and to provide an opportunity for the members of groups to get together, to establish friendships and culture presentation trough dance and music.

Exploring the beautiful capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo, where the architecture of the East and the West intertwine, the famous ‘’Baščaršija’’, a labyrinth of cobbled streets around a lively bazaar, smells and tastes of Bosnian specialties - delicious ‘’čevapi’’, hot ‘’burek’’,fragrant coffee, hot brandy,  the good company of hospitality locals and other cultist from different.With its rich history, colorful cultural heritage and unique mix of different cultures, Sarajevo attracts many visitors from all over SARAJEVO DANCE AND MUSIC the world. It also attracted us and we believe that it will leave an unforgettable impression on you too.

The beautiful capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina lies in the embrace of the mountains, and in the valley, the picturesque story of the Balkan city can be discerned from stone cobblestones, old mighty buildings, churches, mosques and synagogues, streets and, of course, the famous river Miljacka.

Sarajevo was founded in the 15th century as an Ottoman fortress, when the Ottoman Empire expanded into Europe. In its history, it has gained international recognition several times. In 1885, it was the first city in Europe and the second in the world to have a permanent electric tram network, after San Francisco. In 1914, it was the scene of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which was the reason for the start of the First World War, and its consequence was the end of the Austro-Hungarian rule in Bosnia and the creation of the multicultural state of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia.

In 1984, the city hosted the Winter Olympics, which were the culmination of a very successful period for it. After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Sarajevo experienced the longest siege of the capital in the history of modern warfare, with a total duration of 1,425 days, from April 1992 to February 1996. With the post-war reconstruction that followed, Sarajevo became the fastest growing city in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Sarajevo is the political, financial, social and cultural center of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a prominent center of culture in the Balkans. It influences the entire region in entertainment, media, fashion and art. It is the seat of the most important and oldest University of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the central state museum, the theater, the opera house and other institutions of national importance. Due to its long history, religious and cultural diversity, Sarajevo is sometimes called the Jerusalem of Europe or the Jerusalem of the Balkans It is one of the few major European cities that has a mosque, a Catholic church, an Eastern Orthodox church and a synagogue in the same neighborhood. 

                           FESTIVAL PROGRAM:

THURSDAY, 8. 8. 2024

Arrival of groups in Sarajevo between 3 and 4 p.m. and accommodation of all participants in the Hotel in the very heart of Sarajevo. After settling in, there will be a free afternoon, which you can take advantage of for an individual walk around the city, and after dinner, the opening night of the Festival and a big party for all participants with live music will follow in the hotel hall.

Festival participants will be accommodated in an excellent location, just a few steps from lively Baščaršija, where a walk through the ancient cobbled streets is a journey through time, where curious eyes feast on colorful shops and stalls with souvenirs and copper crafts, where the intoxicating smell of čevapcici and freshly baked buns, burek and pies under the honeycomb Hotel is only 300 meters from Baščaršija and the Sebilj fountain. It offers free Wi-Fi in all areas and a shared lounge where you can relax. Free parking and a restaurant are also available within the accommodation, where very hospitable waiters will serve you breakfast and dinner. Each room has carpeted floors, cable TV, a seating area and a private bathroom with a bath or shower and free toiletries. Towels are also provided. The hotel offers accommodation in 2, 3 or 4 bedded rooms.

FRIDAY, 9. 8. 2024

After breakfast, in the company of a local tourist guide, we will go on a tour of the heart of Sarajevo, Baščaršija.

In Sarajevo, as a multicultural capital, we will be able to see the old Jewish temple, the old Orthodox church and the Catholic cathedral. One of the symbols of the city is also the Town Hall (Viječnica) and the Markale city market with a local offer of fresh produce, products, spices and handicrafts. We will be able to visit and take photos in front of the eternal fire, which is dedicated to those who fell during the Second World War.

All these buildings are located in the immediate center of the city, next to many parks, squares and bridges over the Miljacka River. Among the most famous is certainly the Latin Bridge, which from 1918 to 1992 was called Princip Bridge after the assassin Gavril Princip.

In the city center you can discover something new every day... take long sips of water from the Sebilj well, which proverbially means that you will definitely come back there again. Of course, we recommend that you enjoy Bosnian cuisine without a bad conscience and SARAJEVO DANCE AND MUSIC excessive calorie counting. Try the local delicious čevapčiče in a bun with cream cheese, as well as a variety of traditional Bosnian sweets, sweet baklava, meat bureks and cheeses from the oven. Treat yourself to Bosnian coffee served with sugar cubes or traditional Sarajevo beer and brandy. In the late afternoon, the 2nd festival evening will follow, when we will show part of the rich culture of different countries with the performances of cultural groups in Baščaršija itself. The performances will take place on the platform in front of the town hall, each group must have a 10-12 minute program prepared. SARAJEVO DANCE AND MUSIC

SATURDAY, 10. 8. 2024

We will wake up to the very interesting 3rd day of the festival, because after breakfast there will be a concert in the mighty Cathedral of the Heart of Jesus.

This will be followed by a free day, during which you can see famous Bosna is spring, which is located 12 km southwest of Sarajevo, under Mount Igman and is considered one of the most beautiful sights in the country. You can visit the Skakavac Waterfall, 12 km away, which, with its 98 meters, is the highest and above all the most beautiful waterfall in Bosnia. We also recommend a visit to the Zetra Olympic Hall, the War Tunnel or the AVAZ Tower, which at 176 meters is the tallest building in Bosnia.

A unique experience will be a gondola ride to Mount Trebević. When you arrive at the top of Trebević with the renovated gondola, the lower station of which is only 500 meters away from the hotel, you will be able to enjoy a wonderful view of Sarajevo.

When you had enough of the views, we recommend checking out the abandoned Olympic bobsleigh track. It was built in 1984, when the city hosted the Winter Olympics, but today it is hidden in nature and covered with graffiti.In the evening, the 3rd festival evening follows with performances, closing party for all participants and awarding of certificates

SUNDAY, 11. 8. 2024

After breakfast, time for a relaxed coffee in the hotel cafe, and around 10 a.m. the return to your home land.

CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE FESTIVAL:

SARAJEVO DANCE AND MUSIC

- We invite all groups (folklore, majorettes, orchestra, brass bands, choirs, etc) to participate in the festival, who can conjure up a magical cultural atmosphere with their program in the middle of Baščaršija, the heart of Sarajevo,

- Groups must send an application form and a short description of their activities in word format and a photo no later than April 15th.

- The festival will take place if there are at least 100 registered participants. In the event of an excessive number of registered participants, the chief selector of the festival will announce the decision on the selected groups by April 25th at the latest.

- Groups must arrange their own transportation to and from Sarajevo. If you are traveling to Sarajevo by plane or train, the organizer will help you organize local transport if necessary

- There is no age limit for participants

Participation in the festival is €152/person and includes 3 nights at Hotel in the centre of Sarajevo on a half-board basis, tourist tax, city tour with a licensed local tourist guide, entertainment with live music, registration costs, costs of the entire performance infrastructure and all costs of organizing the festival.

- The exact program and schedule of performances will be created after receiving all applications, depending on the number of participating groups. Each group has 1 performance lasting 10-12 minutes.

- Depending on the type of groups registered, the performances will take place in different locations: on the platform in front of the Town Hall in Baščaršija, in the hotel congress hall and in the Cathedral of the Heart of Jesus

Upon payment of the participation, the organizer offers you:

- 3 nights with breakfast in HOTEL on a half-board basis (breakfast and dinner)

- Tourist tax

- Opening night and entertainment with live music

- Licensed tourist guides when visiting the sights of Sarajevo

- Organization of the festival and accompanying program

- Registration fee and necessary infrastructure for performances (room rental, sound

system, lighting, etc.)

- WOFA coordinators of the program and their support before and during the festival

- Festival board and certificate for participation in the festival

- Advertising of the festival (local advertising, advertising of the event via FB and Instagram pages...)

- A souvenir for each group

Surcharges:

- Supplement for a single room - €20 per person per day (optional)

- Gratis 1/30

Payment details:

- By APRIL 15th a reservation in the amount of €30/PERSON must be transferred to the organizer TRR (of course, the reservation will be deducted from the total amount at the end)

- An advance payment of €70/PERSON must be paid by June 15th, 2024

- The balance is settled in cash on the day of arrival in Sarajevo

- Age of the participants is not limited

- Teams should prepare program of 10-15 minutes accompanied by orchestra or CD

- teams have to send short CV of the group and photo materials by e-mail.

- Teams have to bring a flag of the country,

- Teams should have their own transport for arrival and departure

Organizers keep the right to change program of the festival. After Groups will arrive in Hotel, you will get detailed program of the festival and each group will have their own guide during festival..

-----------------

Reviews from the groups: 

This festival has review of 11 groups and average estimation is very good - 8.1/10