INTERNATIONAL FOLKLORE FESTIVAL “OHRID POSTCARD” 25 – 29 August 2023

Director: Mr.Kosta Koskoski

Application deadline: 15 January 2023

Ohrid

Ohrid is Macedonia’s most seductive destination, with an atmospheric old quarter cascading down a graceful hill, crammed full of beautiful churches and topped by the bones of a medieval castle. Its cobbled streets are flanked by traditional restaurants and lakeside cafes, but it’s not a complete tourist circus just yet and still has a lived-in feel – particularly in the upper reaches of the Old Town. Best of all is that you can be skipping through historic monuments one minute and lying on a deck chair with your toes in the water the next – its location right on the edge of serene Lake Ohrid is hard to beat, and a lovely little town beach and boardwalk help make the most of its natural charms.

Lake Ohrid straddles the mountainous border between southwestern Macedonia and eastern Albania. It is one of Europe’s deepest and oldest lakes, preserving a unique aquatic ecosystem that is of worldwide importance, with more than 200 endemic species. It came into being about three million years ago according to the latest scientific researches. It was formed in remote geological ages as a result of tectonic shifts. There are only a few lakes in the world today whose antiquity can be compared to that of Lake Ohrid. Enjoy the magnificent landscapes of a lake placed in a cradle of mountains. These landscapes change with the movement of the clouds and the reflection of the sunlight, depending on the position of the sun, in ever-changing patterns that will always surprise you by its magical beauty, like a dreamy fairytale…

Purpose of the festival:

The main goal of this festival is to offer its participants the possibility for them to present the culture and the tradition of their country and to provide an opportunity for the members of the  groups to meat different nationalities, establish friendships and express their cultural diversity through dance and music.

General terms and conditions:

• 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 (beside youth and children participants, older or veterans also may participate)
• It is necessary to prepare a minimum of one program with a duration of 12 – 15 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 advertising 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.
• The rest of the payment should be completed immediately after the group arrives in order to take part in the festival.

Festival organizers provide:

• Accommodation in hotels and apartments, according to the price selected
• 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.
• Tourist guides for sightseeing of the town (on request only)
• Advertising of the festival (press conference, radio, TV channels, posters and flyers)
• Professional sound equipment: (2 bass speakers, 4 satellite speakers, 2 monitor speakers…)
• Professional light equipment
• Certificates for participation in the festival
• Drinks during the performance
• Souvenir and gift for each group
• DVD and photos of the festival

Participation fee: Basic category hotels, villas Apartments:

• 73 euro per person for 3 nights half board accommodation (breakfast and dinner)
• 97 euro per person for 4 nights half board accommodation (breakfast and dinner)
• 119 euro per person for 5 nights half board accommodation (breakfast and dinner)
• 87 euro per person for 3 nights full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• 116 euro per person for 4 nights full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
• 139 euro per person for 5 nights full board accommodation (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

Advanced category hotels: 3 *

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  87 euro per person for 3 nights half board in Hotel “Hotel Chingo” Hotel“Ambasador”

• 99 euro per person for 3 nights hull board in Hotel “Hotel Chingo “ Hotel “Ambasador”
• 109 euro per person for 4 nights half board in Hotel “Hotel Chingo “ Hotel “Ambasador”
• 123 euro per person for 4 nights full board in Hotel “Hote Chingo “ Hotel “Ambasador”
• 123 euro per person for 5 nights half board in Hotel “Hotel Chingo “ Hotel “Ambasador”
• 147 euro per person for 5 nights full board in  Hotel “Hotel Chingo “ Hotel “Ambasador”

Advanced category hotels: 4 *

• 119 euro per person for 3 nights half board in Hotel “Mizo”Hotel” Hotel “Prestige”
• 158 euro per person for 3 nights full board in Hotel “Mizo”Hotel” Hotel “Prestige”
• 149 euro per person for 4 nights half board in Hotel “Mizo”Hotel” Hotel “Prestige”
• 179 euro per person for 4 nights full board in Hotel “Mizo”Hotel” Hotel “Prestige”

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

Supplement for double room is 8  euro 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.

*On your request you can continue your stay in Ohrid, for a 30 euros per person, per day – FB (breakfast, lunch and dinner), and the price is special for the participants in the festival. For additional days we will prepare special program for you.

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 in the center of the town.
• Macedonian tourist tax (o.70 cents euro per person per day)

Program:

25.08.2023
-Arriving in Ohrid, hotel accommodation
-Lunch in the hotel and time for free activities
-Dinner in the hotel
-Free night

26.08.2023
-Breakfast in the hotel
-Visiting: Ohrid Ethno museum (1 euro), St. Sofia church, Plaosnik (2 euro), Antique theatre, Samoil fortress (1 euro)…
-Lunch in the hotel (if FB) and free activities (swimming)
-Parade and performance of the participants (First festival evening)
-Dinner in the hotel

27.08.2023
-Breakfast in the hotel
-Cruising with boat on Lake Ohrid to st. Naum monastery (8 euro)
-Parade through the city
-Festival evening (performance of the participants, certificate for the participants by the organizers, and at the very end of the festival participants can exchange gifts and contacts with each other)
-Dinner in the hotel

28.08.2023
-Breakfast in the hotel
-Struga sightseeing – visiting cultural and historical monuments ,river Black Drim, monastery in Kalista, Vevchani – Vevchanski water sources (1 euro)
-Lunch in the hotel (if FB)
-Dinner in the hotel

29.08.2023
-Breakfast in the hotel
-Departure

*The organizer reserves the right to change 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.