WorldFestivalAssociation

INVITATION

We invite you to participate in the XI Folklore Festival in Paralia “DANCING”, held from 3–8 July in Paralia, Greece.

The festival welcomes 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.

Its aim is to present the cultural traditions of different nations and create new friendships through dance and music.

 Festival Highlights

Open to folk ensembles, choral groups, brass bands, orchestras, modern dance groups, majorette teams, and performers of all ages.

Performances in Paralia’s squares and the official opening ceremony.

Awarding certificates, plaques, and gifts to each group.

Social evenings, optional excursions, Greek night, disco nights, and the famous Pirate Cruise.

A special farewell day to celebrate together before departure.

 Participation Details

All ensembles must provide their own music, either with a live accompanying orchestra or music CD.

Each ensemble must prepare a performance lasting around 10 minutes.

Multiple-bed rooms are standard; double and single rooms are available upon request.

Groups must arrange their own transport for arrival and departure.

All excursions must be booked up to 14 days before the festival; late bookings cannot be guaranteed.

The number of participants is limited.

 Accommodation & Participation Fee

215 Euros per person for accommodation in villas such as Villa Odiseas, Vila Violet, Vila Victoria Inn.

235 Euros per person for accommodation in villas like Vila Electra Beach.

295 Euros per person for accommodation in hotels like Hotel Atlantis***.

Additional double rooms: 12 Euros per person per night.

Additional single rooms: 35 Euros per person per night.

Supplement for double (1/2) rooms is from 7 Euros per person per night, depending on the selected villa or hotel.

 Participation Fee Includes

Accommodation in villas and hotels in Paralia and Olympic Beach in triple or quadruple rooms, studios, or apartments, with 5 half-boards (breakfast and dinner).

One free place for every 25 participants.

Diplomas for each ensemble.

Letter of invitation to assist with travel and visas.

 Participation Fee Does Not Include

Tourist tax: from 2 Euros per room per night for villas and 3 Euros 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, and discotheques.

Other expenses: travel costs, travel insurance, hotel parking, vignettes, tolls, air conditioning in rooms, towels.

 Festival Program

3 July:
Arrival and hotel accommodation.
Information meeting for group representatives with practical details.
Dinner.
Optional visit to discotheques.
Overnight stay.

4 July:
Breakfast.
Optional excursion to Meteora, via Katerini, Olympus, and Larisa.
Tour of medieval monasteries: Great Meteora, Holy Trinity, Varlam.
Visit to Kalambaka and an icon workshop.
Return to Paralia via Tembi gorge with a stop at Agia Paraskevi monastery and Daphne spring.
Dinner.
Optional Greek night at a tavern or disco night.
Overnight stay.

5 July:
Breakfast.
Optional Pirate Cruise: on-board entertainment, swimming, stop at Litohoro beaches, wine/juice, sandwich, watermelon.
Return to Paralia in the afternoon.
Dinner.
Preparation for performance.
Parade of all festival groups.
Opening ceremony of the XI International Folklore Festival in Paralia.
Ensemble performances.
Awarding of certificates, plaques, and gifts.
Optional friendly night.
Overnight stay.

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

7 July:
Breakfast.
Optional full-day tour to Thessaloniki, visiting White Tower, Rotonda, Galerius Arch, Church of the Saint Apostles, Saint Sofia, and St. Demetrius church.
Return to Paralia.
Dinner.
Optional disco night.
Overnight stay.

8 July:
Breakfast.
Free time until evening.
Departure of all ensembles, with the hope of meeting again next year.

 Additional Information

All excursions must be booked 14 days before the festival.
The Organizing Committee cannot guarantee excursions ordered later or during the event.

Groups must cover travel costs, insurance, parking, tolls, and personal expenses.

 Application & Payment Details

Submit the application form to participate.

Number of participants is limited, so early application is strongly advised.