INTERNATIONAL MUSIC & FOLK DANCE FESTIVAL “PEARLS SEA” 21 – 25 JULY 2024

Director:  Jovan Jonoski

Application deadline: 10 January 2024

Bar

Montenegro’s open gate, the largest harbor on the eastern coast of the Adriatic, Mediterranean centre of diversity, seductive for its friendliness, its birds, olives and wine, Bar represents a modern town that is expanding every day. Here, the nature changes with every new step. Although it is a port town, it is amazingly clean and has many developed green areas. International cruisers dock at the 46 kilometers long coast, but don’t worry if you’d prefer to bathe: there is enough space for you on some nine kilometers of beach, during the season lasting from the middle of May till mid-October.

Around it there are many tourist attractions. The old town of Bar, Haj Nehaj Fortress, with the remnants from the 15 th century fortress and the castle of King Nikola, represent the historic and cultural monuments of this town. There’s an Old Olive Tree that is more than 2000 years old and Skadar lake, with one of the biggest habitats of birds, as well as a large number of monasteries and churches for the visitors who enjoy this type of tourism. Set up beaches and bays as Dobre Vode, Sutomore, Canj will make you come to Bar again.

Located under the Rumija Mountain, between the Adriatic Sea and the Lake Scutari, Bar will surprise you with its variety of cultures, religions, nations, customs, with the quiet villages surrounding it. Enjoy the view of the bird colonies which arrive here from other parts of the world every year. Discover the lake islands with their monasteries, historical buildings and their ancient stories about the lives of the people. Don’t miss the small town of Virpazar and its inns. Visit the Old City on an elevated ground some four kilometers from the coast. In this open air museum of architecture, one civilization after another has left its traces since the 7th century. You will not find so many different national costumes in one place anywhere else. In the town itself, you will face a rich cultural life, theatre performances, concerts and art exhibitions throughout the year.

Purpose of the festival:

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 from different countries and different parts of the world and to give them the exclusive opportunity to display their artistry and 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 styles, thus combining the traditional and the modern in a timeline that will take the spectators from history to modern times.

General 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:

Basic category hotels, villas Apartments:

• 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) 

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.

Important! Montenegrin Tourist Tax and Insurance (1.5 euro per person per day) is not calculated in the price and is to be paid after arrival and accommodation.

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).

Program Proposal:

Day 1:
-Checking in the hotel, free time for individual activities
-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,
-Free night

Day 2:
-Breakfast in the hotel
-Visiting the Old Town of Bar
-Dinner in the hotel
-Free night

Day 3:
-Breakfast;
-(Optional) Boat cruise – the boat sails from Bar to Budva; St.Stefan, Petrovac, Island St .Nikola, Queen’s Beach, Swimming And Entertainment (the cost for the boat cruise is 20 euros per person);
-Parade on the main street and finishing in the location where the performances will take place;
-Festival evening (Performances);
-Dinner in the hotel

Day 4: 
-Breakfast in the hotel
-Visiting Budva, Tivat, Kotor (Groups go on these excursions with their own bus);
-Parade;
-Second festival night and closure of the festival;
-Dinner in the hotel

Day 5: 
-Breakfast in the hotel
-Checking out of the hotels

*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.