XV EUROPEAN FOLKLORE MEETINGS ON THE BUG RIVER

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF CULTURE AND TRADITIONS OF EASTERN AND CENTRAL EUROPE

SOKOŁÓW PODLASKI

MAZOWSZE PROVINCE

POLAND

MAY 18th– MAY 20th 2017

Organizers:

Sokołów Centre of Culture

Sokołów Podlaski Municipal Office

FESTIVAL REGULATIONS

I. THE AIM OF THE FESTIVAL:

1. Popularization of national folk culture, ethnic and ethnographic groups inhabiting the regions of Eastern and Central Europe, particularly the multicultural areas.

2. Developing closer contacts between the inhabitants of the regions of Eastern and Central Europe and propagating mutual neighbourly relations among the members of communities on both sides of Poland's eastern border.

3. Integrating local and wider communities through artistic presentations, inspiring cooperation between folk artist and groups, exchanging experiences.

4. Showing folk tradition of the borderline region as an attractive source of inspiration for the creativity of young people, as well as for folk groups and ethnic music.

5. Promoting regions over the rivers Bug and Danube as places attractive for tourist, rich in monuments and relics of material and spiritual culture.

II. PARTYCIPANTS, PROGRAM AND THE DURATION OF PRESENTATIONS

We invite participants in the following categories:

1. Folk song and dance groups - for vocal and dance presentations (maximum 25minutes)

2. Ritual groups - for performances of ritual ceremonies, maximum 25 minutes

3. Singing groups - maximum 10 minutes

Maximum numer of members: 28

III. DATE AND VENUE:

May 18th – 20 th 2017

Sokołów Podlaski, Mazowsze Province

Poland

May 18th : arrival day for the Festival participants;

May 19th:– performances at schools inSokołów Podlaski. Each group is expected to prepare a 25-minute multimedia presentation about the country they come from. The presentation should include information on the country's customs, thaditions, rituals and lifestyle (e.g. traditional quisine). Please prepare a souvenir for the school that will be your host, meeting of the participant group leaders with the Mayor of the town of Sokołów Podlaski; exchanging gifts.

Competition– performances at the Performance Hall in Sokołów Podlaski Centre of Culture

8 p.m. – get-together for the participant groups.

May 20th: 4 p.m. - Gala concert performances on the open-air stage in Sokołów Podlaski

May 21st: departure day for the Festival participants

IV. TERMS of PARTICIPATION:

1. The festival is an open event and is based on the participants' presentations;

2. The participants can be ritual groups, folk song and dance groups, folk dance ensembles, singing groups, traditional folk music groups, groups presenting the ceremonies, songs, dance and music typical of their region, and contemporary folk bands;

3.The participants are expected to prepare 3 souvenirs: one for the Sokołów Centre of Culture, one for the Mayor of the town of Sokołów Podlaski, and one for the school in which they will be peforming.

4. If you’d like to participate, please fill in the application form and send it to the following address:Sokołowski Ośrodek Kultury; ul. Wolności 27; 08-300 Sokołów Podlaski, Poland or via e-mail at t later than April21st 2017.

Please complete the application form with exact and authentic informations, and send us some promotional materials for the folk group, such as photos, CDs, DVDs, mp3 or you tube links.

A formal invitation to the Festival will be send only after the examination of the application form. Groups will be informed about the organiser's decisions until the end of April 2017.

V. PRIZES:

All the presentations in the Sokołów Centre of Culturewill be held in the presence of an Artistic Committee appointed by the Organiser. The prizes will be awarded by the Committee. The prizes will be awarded for specific achievements such as: original repertoire, continuing local traditions, choreography, beautiful costumes, voice harmony etc.;

*the organizer offer money prizes

*the value of individual prizes depends on decision of jury;

*the prizes will be awarded on the Gala Concert on the open-air stage in Sokołów Podlaski on 21st of May.

VI. ORGANIZATIONAL RESOLUTIONS:

1. The participants of Festival arrive at their own cost or at the cost of the institution which they represent.

2. The organizers provide meals and accommodation.

3. The participants agree for their performances being documented, as well as videotaped for the purpose of television and phonographic recordings.

4. The participants applying for the festival should be duly insured for the journey and stay during the festival by the relevant institutions.

5. Each group should be accompanied by the appropriate number of attendants, to ensure the safety of the participants;

6. The matters of issue not included in regulations are settled by the Organisers of the festival.

For additional information please contact:

Kamil

Sokołów Centre of Culture

tel./fax 048 25 787 24 38