INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL “DANCING IN PARALIA” 24 – 31 AUGUST 2023

Director:  Milenko Andreski

Application deadline: 20 February 2023

Paralia (Greek: Παραλία) is a tourist seaside village and a former municipality in the eastern part of the Pieria regional unit, Greece. Since the 2011 local government reform it is part of the municipality Katerini, of which it is a municipal unit. The seat of the municipality was in Kallithea. The 2011 census reported a population of 1,124 for the village of Paralia, and 6,803 for the municipal unit. The community of Paralia covers an area of 1,849 km2. This idyllic, exotic and remote seaside place is the ideal escape for those who like long sandy beaches, relaxation and enjoyment. It is a destination designed to offer everything you need for the perfect vacation. In the evenings you can walk the streets of Paralia and enjoy the light of many shops, inviting you to forget about your worries and cares and to enjoy the colors and the glitter of all of the nice things that you can buy.

Purpose of the festival:

The organizer of the festival is International Folklore Festivals Ohrid Macedonia (IFFOM). The main purpose of this festival is to bring different cultures closer through songs, dances, music and interesting national costumes. The main idea of the organizers is to bring to the festival different choirs, folklore and modern dance groups, majorette teams and brass bands and orchestras from different countries and different parts of the world and to give them the exclusive opportunity to display their creativity on the stage.

The participants will have the opportunity to meet new people, establish new friendships and learn about different cultures and traditions.

The idea of the festival is to develop communication and dialogue between diverse cultures, by nurturing tradition, as well as modern dance and music styles.

• Conditions of the festival:
  • Groups from all over the world can take part in this festival.
  • Folk dance groups, modern dance groups, choirs, but also majorette teams and brass bands and orchestras are welcome to apply.
  • The number of participants and followers is not limited.
  • There is no age limit.
  • It is necessary to prepare minimum one program with the duration of 10 – 12 minutes per program.
  • Each group should bring the national flag of the country that they represent.
  • It is also necessary to visibly display panel on which the name of your group and the name of your country is inscribed.
  • It is recommended that groups should bring about 12 – 15 small gifts for exchange.
  • Participants can perform with orchestras (recommended) or with recorded music (on CD or USB).
  • In order to participate in this festival, every group needs to fill in an application form. When applying, if possible, please provide some photos, videos or brief history of the group. These materials will be used for promotional and advertizing purposes (in advertisements, fliers and posters).
  • After receiving the application form and completion of advance payment, the organizer will send an official letter of invitation for participation at the Festival.

• Participation fee:Accommodation in hotels in Paralia and Olympic Beach with 2* and 3*: 
  • 99 Euro per person for 3 nights half board (2 meals per day)
  • 129 Euro per person for 4 nights half board (2 meals per day)
  • 159 Euro per person for 5 nights half board (2 meals per day)
  • 189 Euro per person for 6 nights half board (2 meals per day)
  • 219 Euro per person for 7 nights half board (2 meals per day)

   

  If there are 24 paying participants in a group, the 25th will be free of charge.

  Supplement for double room is 8 euros per day per person.

  Supplement for accommodation in a single room is + 50% of the price to be paid for the single person accommodated in such room.

Participation fee includes:

• Accommodation according to the price selected and meals (HB: breakfast and dinner)
• 2 double rooms per group with no supplement to be paid (one for the leaders of the group and another for the drivers of the bus). The rest of the rooms are with 3 and 4 beds.
• Free parking for the bus
• On request, each group will have a person available to accompany them on their excursions.
• Certificates for participation.

Participation fee does not include:

• On request, a professional tour guide can be hired to accompany the group on their excursions, but the travel guide expenses will be covered by the group.
• Health insurance (First Aid and Medical Hospital will be available, medical services must be covered by the group).
• Greek tourist tax (1,5 euro per person per day)

Program Proposal:

Day 1: 
-Arrival of the participants
-Meeting with the organizer in order to discuss details about the festival; upon arrival groups will be given a program with exact time schedule for each of the activities mentioned in this program.
-Dinner in the hotel

Day 2: 
-Breakfast in the hotel
-Time for individual activities (beach time, shopping, sightseeing…)
-Dinner in the hotel
-Free night
Day 3: 
-Breakfast in the hotel
-First option: Boat cruise (lunch included: fish + salad + local wine: 16 Euros per person)
-Second option: Bus excursion to Meteori, 210 km distanced OW- (one of the largest and most important complexes of Greek Orthodox monasteries in Greece, built on natural sandstone rock pillars.) Each group will go with their own bus.
-Third option: Time for individual activities (beach time, shopping, sightseeing…)
-Parade and first festival evening (performance of the participants)
-Dinner in the hotel
Day 4: 
-Breakfast in the hotel
-First option: Boat cruise (lunch included: fish + salad + local wine: 16 Euros per person)
-Second option: Bus excursion to Meteori, 210 km distanced OW- (one of the largest and most important complexes of Greek Orthodox monasteries in Greece, built on natural sandstone rock pillars.) Each group will go with their own bus.
-Third option: Time for individual activities (beach time, shopping, sightseeing…)
-Parade and second festival evening (performance of the participants)
-Dinner in the hotel
Day 5: 
Breakfast in the hotel
-Time for individual activities (beach time, shopping, sightseeing…)
-Dinner in the hotel
-Free night
Day 6: 
-Breakfast in the hotel
-First option: Boat cruise (lunch included: fish + salad + local wine: 16 Euros per person)
-Second option: Bus excursion to Meteori, 210 km distanced OW- (one of the largest and most important complexes of Greek Orthodox monasteries in Greece, built on natural sandstone rock pillars.) Each group will go with their own bus.
-Third option: Time for individual activities (beach time, shopping, sightseeing…)
-Parade and first festival evening (performance of the participants)
-Dinner in the hotel
Day 7: 
-Breakfast in the hotel
-First option: Boat cruise (lunch included: fish + salad + local wine: 16 Euros per person)
-Second option: Bus excursion to Meteori, 210 km distanced OW- (one of the largest and most important complexes of Greek Orthodox monasteries in Greece, built on natural sandstone rock pillars.) Each group will go with their own bus.
-Third option: Time for individual activities (beach time, shopping, sightseeing…)
-Parade and second festival evening (performance of the participants)
-Dinner in the hotel

Day 8: 
-Breakfast in the hotel
-Checking out of the hotel
*The organizer reserves the right to make changes in the festival program.

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.