INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE, CHOIR AND MODERN FESTIVAL “POSTCARD FROM BAR, SUTOMORE” 13 – 17 MAY 2023

Director:  Milenko Andreski

Application deadline: 20 February 2023

BAR
Bar is an ancient city. There is very little precise information on its origin. The claim that humans lived in this region in prehistoric, Illyrian, Greek and Roman times is confirmed by archaeological finds of significant scope and quality: remains of Neolithic material found during excavation of a well in the settlement of Cheluga an Eneolithic axe from Shushanj, the Great Grave in Shushanj, a tumulus in the village of Ravanj, various vases featuring black figures, etc. The old olive tree at Mirovica is a monument of nature that has witnessed the existence of organized settlements and the hard-working people of this region for more than 2000 years. A modern city with wide boulevards, surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, Bar represents the biggest tourist and nautical center at the entrance to the Adriatic Sea. Its panorama today consists of tourist sites, restaurants, shops, sports facilities and a dock with 1150 berths. Two equally beautiful shores in the Municipality of Bar, those of the Adriatic Sea and Lake Skadar, the former stretching for 46 km with 9 km of beaches and the latter being 65 km long, are ready to satisfy the diverse tastes of tourists. This entire area, surrounded by water, comfortably rests between the Adriatic Sea and Skadar Lake. The Ruminja mountain rises high up into the skies between these two watery giants. Here are rich farming areas with many springs coming down from the mountains to the sea, with fields abundant in Mediterranean flora and agriculture, whilst on the other side, which is steeper and sunnier, slopes down towards Skadar Lake. The eternal beauty of the Bar area, its beaches, waters, moderate climate, Mediterranean plants, cultural and historical monuments, culture and entertainment are here for you to come and discover all the beauties of this place and to enjoy them.

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.

• 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:
• 98 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)
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• Advanced category hotels: 3 *
• 129 Euro per person for 3 nights half board (2 meals per day)
• 169 Euro per person for 4 nights half board (2 meals per day)

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.
  • 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).
• Parking for the bus.

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 Budva
-Dinner,
-Free night

Day 3:
-Breakfast in the hotel
-(Optional) Boat cruise –Short relation is 5 euros per person, and long relation is 12 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 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;
-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.