WorldFestivalAssociation

INVITATION

We invite you to participate in the XI International Folklore Festival in Paralia – Katerini, which will take place from 8–13 July 2025.

Participants include ensembles from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Ukraine, Greece, Turkey, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Armenia, Georgia, Indonesia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Austria, and many other countries.

Festival Program

8 July:
Arrival of groups to Paralia and accommodation.
Info meeting for group representatives with useful and practical information about staying in Paralia.
Dinner.
Option to visit local discotheques.
Overnight stay.

9 July:
Breakfast.
Optional morning excursion to the famous Meteora, traveling via Katerini, Olympus, and Larisa.
Tour of medieval monasteries (Great Meteora, Holy Trinity, Varlam).
Short visit to Kalambaka and an icon workshop.
Return to Paralia via the Tembi gorge, with a short break near the monastery of Agia Paraskevi and the Daphne spring.
Dinner.
Optional Greek night at a tavern or disco night.
Overnight stay.

10 July:
Breakfast.
Optional "Pirate Cruise" with entertainment on board, swimming in the open sea, visit to Litohoro beaches, wine or juice, sandwich, and watermelon.
Return to Paralia in the afternoon.
Dinner.
Preparation of folklore ensembles for performance.
Parade of all festival groups.
Opening ceremony of the XI International Folklore Festival in Paralia.
Group performances and awarding of certificates, plaques, and gifts.
Optional friendly night.
Overnight stay.

11 July:
Breakfast.
Optional half-day tour of the foothills of Mount Olympus and the picturesque town of Litochoro.
Return to Paralia in the afternoon.
Dinner.
Option to visit a Greek night or disco.
Overnight stay.

12 July:
Breakfast.
Optional full-day trip to Thessaloniki with panoramic tour: White Tower, Rotonda, Galerius Arch, Church of the Saint Apostles, Saint Sofia, and St. Demetrius church.
Return to Paralia.
Dinner.
Option to visit local discotheques.
Overnight stay.

13 July:
Breakfast.
Free time until departure.
Return of groups to their home countries, with wishes to meet again next year.

Participation Fee

215 EUR per person – accommodation in villas such as Villa Odiseas, Vila Violet, Vila Victoria Inn

235 EUR per person – accommodation in villas such as Vila Electra Beach

295 EUR per person – accommodation in hotels such as Hotel Atlantis***

All double and single rooms are available upon request. Multiple-bed rooms assigned based on availability.

Additional double rooms: 12 EUR per person per night

Additional single rooms: 35 EUR per person per night

Supplement for 1/2 rooms is from 7 EUR per person per night (depends on the villa or hotel)

Participation Fee Includes

Accommodation in villas and hotels in Paralia and Olympic Beach (triple and quadruple rooms, studios, or apartments) for 5 nights on half-board basis (breakfast and dinner)

One free place for every 25 participants

Diplomas for each group

Letter of invitation to assist with travel and visa arrangements

Participation Fee Does Not Include

Tourist tax: from 2 EUR per room per night for villas; from 3 EUR per room per night for hotels

Optional excursions: Pirate Cruise, Greek Night, Skiathos, tour of Katerini, trip to Meteora, full-day trip to Thessaloniki, tour of Litochoro and Dion, discotheques

All excursions must be booked at least 14 days before the festival starts. The Organizing Committee cannot guarantee excursions booked after the deadline or during the festival.

Travel expenses, travel insurance, hotel parking, vignettes, tolls, air conditioning in rooms, towels

Performance Requirements

All ensembles must provide their own music, live orchestra, or music CD.

Each ensemble must prepare a performance of around 10 minutes.