Bullgarian National Championship of Folklore “Euro Folk 2015”

Main event of Musical Feasts “Euro Folk 2015” is No 1 Festival in Europe for the traditional folklore arts – Stara Planina Fest “Balkan Folk” in Bulgaria. Every year from 7 000 to 15 000 musicians, singers and dancers take part in it. The participant in Stara Planina Fest “Balkan Folk 2015” have the right to take part in the National Championship of Folklore Arts "Euro Folk 2015”.

Typical feature of Musical Feasts "Euro Folk" is that all performances are recorded with professional audio and television technics and the best of them are repeatedly broadcasted by more than 50 cable and satellite televisions, as well as the World Wide Internet Television "EuroFolkTV" at tv.eurofolk.com.

All of these activities realize the main purpose of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF to promote traditional folk arts through the enormous possibilities of massmedia. Maintaining the diversity of the main traditional values and identity of different nationalities, guarantees the evolution of humanity.

All of these activities realize the main purpose of the European Association of Folklore Festivals - EAFF to promote traditional folk arts through the enormous possibilities of massmedia. Maintaining the diversity of the main traditional values and identity of different nationalities, guarantees the evolution of humanity.

Date	7 - 17 May 2015
Location	Veliko Tarnovo
Director	Kaloyan Nikolov
Application Deadline	23 January 2015	\

Town host - Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria

Veliko Tarnovo (Bulgarian: Велико Търново) is a city in north central Bulgaria and the administrative centre of Veliko Tarnovo Province. Often referred to as the "City of the Tsars", Veliko Tarnovo is located on the Yantra River and is famous as the historical capital of the Second Bulgarian Empire, attracting many tourists with its unique architecture. The old city is situated on three hills, Tsarevets, Trapezitsa and Sveta Gora raising amidst the meanders of the Yantra. Tsarevets housed the palaces of the Bulgarian Emperors and the Patriarchate with the Patriarchal Cathedral, as well as a number of administrative and residential edifices surrounded by thick walls. Trapezitsa was known for its many churches and as the main residence of the nobility. In the Middle Ages it was among the main European centres of culture and gave its name to the architecture of the Tarnovo Artistic School, painting of the Tarnovo Artistic School and literature.

Preliminary Program

07/5/2015/ or 14/5/2015/ Day of arrival - Check in at hotel – The rest of the total amount for the group, must be paid at the latest on this day - A detailed program and a person in charge will be provided to each group. Free time for rest, walk to the city (market and clubs). - Dinner (in consultation with the hotel).

08/5/2015/ or 15/5/2015/ Breakfast - Free day from morning till noon- Optional excursion – Visit to "Tsarevets" - Tsars Castle, and Ethnological Museum. - Midday meal (in consultation with the hotel). 10 min presentation concert - 19.00 - 21.00 - festival concert.

09/5/2015/ or 16/5/2015/ Breakfast – Free day from morning till noon- Optional excursion – Gabrovo - Ethografic complex "Etara", Sofia, Kazanlak, Rouse, Buharest - Midday meal (in consultation with the hotel). 10 min presentation concert - 19.00 - 21.00 - festival concert. "Sound and lights" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr_wuuT386k

10/5/2015/ or 17/5/2015/ Breakfast - Departure of the groups.

During the National Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk 2015” studio audio recordings and filming of professional video clips of the participants' program will be done free of charge of those performances awarded by the jury or against payment.

The preliminary program of XVIII Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk 2014"- HERE

The preliminary program of XVII Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk 2013"- HERE

The preliminary program of XVI Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk 2012"- HERE

You can see the program of last XV Stara Planina Fest "Balkan Folk 2011" - HERE

Regulations

Main task of the organizers is to ensure the creative groups an access to the stage, to gather them in a concourse programme aimed at defining the best ones and to popularize the award winners of the fest by broadcasting their art in Bulgaria and the European TV air.
The National Championship of Folklore Arts "Euro Folk 2015” has been organized by EAFF and other organizations within the scope of Musical Feasts “Euro Folk 2015” – The World is Television.

To enter the contest the participants must be accredited, which is realized under the following conditions:

Contest system includes the following categories:

A) Folklore songs groups, authentic folklore (choirs and ensembles)
B) Folklore songs groups, modern arrangement of folklore music; - (choirs and ensembles)
C) Folklore dances groups, authentic folklore; (folklore dance groups, ensembles)
D) Folklore dances groups; modern choreography (folklore dance groups, ensembles)
E) Folklore mix ensembles - Authentic performances; (live vocal, instrumental and dance)
F) Folklore mix ensembles - Processed performances; (live vocal, instrumental and dance)
G) Folklore Instrumental groups; folklore music (ensembles and orchestras)
H) Folklore customs groups; replica (folklore groups, ensembles)
I ) Group of urban folklore; (old town songs, old town dance, world folk)

*i individual performers and duets by all categories exept E,F,H;
*1 by all categories there is also ranking of children and young people up to 18 years. /in children's and youth groups can participate up to 30% of participants from different age /
*2 by all categories there is ranking adults people up 18 years.

It is desirable by post or e-mail, to the address of EAFF, to send the last released album of the participant (the group) or demo records of not less than two performances. It is desirable that the application form has an added annotation about the participant and advertising materials – photos. The sent material are not a subject of return.

During the participation of the collective in the championship the organizer could invite it to take part in general events such as Official Opening, Official Closing, cocktail party and others.

Awards

The awards are different from those in Stara Planina Fest “Balkan Folk”
The big award “Euro Folk 2015” – Grand Prix "Orpheus" and a diploma for the Absolute National Championship of Folklore of Bulgaria.

The Winner of Grand Prix "Orpheus" takes also a money prize of 500 Euro.

First awards in the relevant categories and a diploma for the National Championship of Folklore Arts for the relevant category. The champions obtain golden medals, and for the second and third place – silver and bronze medals. At jury’s decision in the single categories could be given additional golden, silver and bronze medals with the relevant diplomas.
The jury awards the best performances with a free of charge shooting and producing of a free video clip.
All of the participants are granted with deeds for laureates, diplomas and object – awards. The awards are granted on a ceremony during "Euro Folk 2015" Musical Feasts - The world is television.

In jury’s opinion and the producers from Euro Folk Academy the best performers and artistic directors shall be honoured with a Diploma for obtaining the rank Maestro or Maestro Academic. The diplomas are sent to the relevant municipalities with asking for a ceremonial delivery.

All award winners get a free of charge copy of the TV product, which consists of their performances, and has been broadcasted in Bulgaria or in Europe.
The participants can order against payment full recordings of their performances, including video clips, CD and DVD. These products have the right to be broadcasted in the relevant country.
The jury consists of 3 people.

Championship categories are consistent with the categories of the World ranking list of folklore.
In the Bulgarian National Championship of Folklore may participate by 20% of participants from other countries.
Collected points standings with odds for a National Championship.

Points valid for World ranking list of folklore.

Championship	Odds	Points for participation	Items by Category First Round	Second round - Race Grand Prix
National	2	10	1. 100 2. 50 3. 30	1. 200 2. 100 3. 70 Next - 4

Unambiguous text: The collectives or presenting organizations, if approved by the jury to participate in the Championship, give the organizers the right to be recorded on video and audio, arranged in a program, presenting the fest and broadcasted by a TV channel or in some other way, for which a contract agreement will be signed.

Unambiguous text: Teams from another country that can not participate in the second round, unless they compete and perform Bulgarian folklore.

Registration of the Participants

Participation fee: (for participants and accompanying persons)

The registration fee is 75 Euros per person

Every 25 participants one is welcome to join in for free.

Period 1: 07 - 10 May Period 2: 14 -17 May

(paying goes in several month payments till departure time)

Accommodation:

Accommodation is in 1/3 and 1/4 rooms (supplement for 1/2 room is 5 Euro per person per night) in 3*** hotels:

All the hotels are located in Veliko Turnovo, based on 3 half-board (breakfast and dinner-buffet)

The participation fee includes:

Accommodation in 1/3 and 1/4 rooms, 3 half-board (breakfast and dinner-buffet), (supplement for 1/2 room is 5 Euro per person per night)
Organization expenses
Free place on every 25-th member
Degrees
Invitation letter***
Include to participate in Stara planina Fest "Balkan folk"

The participation fee does not include:

Additional day in some of the hotels: it costs 25 Euro per person
Facultative tours (tour of Veliko Tarnovo, Sofia, Kazanlak, Gabrovo, Shipka, Ruse, Buharest)
Transport, parking, insurance...
Transport from airport, railway.

For individual performers and duets have additional participation fee in contest, which is 25 Euro.

The participants pay for their participation in the National Championship of Folklore "Euro Folk 2015” by the notified prices. The advanced payment is 20% from the total amount for the participation of the group. It is payable up to March 31,

The registration is made on the basis of an application form for participation by the collective.

After confirming the application form, an advanced payment should be made.

The registration of the participants at their arrival is going to be made at the office by Mother Bulgaria Monument at the centre of Veliko Tarnovo.

General Conditions

The sender covers all bank fees.

Participants do not get paid for their performance.
All filled in and signed applications will mean acceptance of the terms laid by the present regulation.

Sanggar Caraka Buana

Sunday, December 7, 2014