Regulation - МФФ "Море от Ритми"

FESTIVAL REGULATIONS

14th International Folklore Festival “Sea of Rhythms” Balchik 2024

September 20-23

The folklore festival Sea of rhythms is organized by the non-governmental organization “Za Balchik” with the logistic and financial help of the municipality of Balchik under the supervision of its mayor - Mr. Nikolay Angelov. The festival is as well supported by many partners and sponsors.

“Za Balchik 2023” is an association where young, creative people with critical thinking and various professions are gathered together in order to focus their energy on turning the world into a better place.

Sea of Rythms is a competitive folklore festival that encourages all participants to show their best on the stage by providing lots of prizes and awards for the winners. Eligible to join the festival are the folklore lovers, dancers and singers from all age groups, musical schools and ensembles from Bulgaria and other foreign countries.

Conditions of participation

Each individual participant or group shall send a filled application form – all templates for the different categories are uploaded and shall be downloaded from the official website of the festival – www.moreotritmi.com

- All applications shall be sent until August 20 2023 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

- Each individual participant or group can compete in one category only

- In case an organization participates with a few groups in the festival, no more than 5 people in total are allowed to join the competition in more than one performance and category

- All individual performers shall pay the individual participation fee even if they are a part of another group/ensemble

- All international groups shall participate in the international category and shall perform a traditional Bulgarian song, dance, horo, ritual or custom. The groups may present their folklore at specially organized concerts which aim is to show the colorfulness of different countries and their traditions.

- All participation fees and the master account they shall be transferred to could be tracked in the application form that the Bulgarian groups and performers need to fill. The international participants are provided with an offer that includes full board accommodation and participation fees.

- All expenses such as transport, accommodation and participation fees shall be covered by the participants of the festival

- During the festival all individual performers and groups have their own buddy who guides them and ensures their stay in Balchik is as pleasant as possible

- The organizer may decline some applications sent after all places are already taken

- In case an individual performer or a group cancels its participation after having paid the required fees, the organizer returns 50% of the amount transferred.

- Activities included in the festival agenda:

Cocktail for the group leaders and teachers – Day 1 / inquiry in advance needed/
Horoteka for kids – Day 2 / covered by the Organizer/
Official dinner – Day 2 / inquiry in advance needed/
Visit of the Botanical garden and the Castle in Balchik / covered by the Organizer/
Folklore Costumes Painting Workshop for kids
“Alley of Bulgarian crafts”
Workshops – Day 2 and Day 3

*Information about the activities the participant/ group wants to join shall be provided by the team leaders with a special questionnaire sent after the application form is approved

Festival Regulations

Division I – Authentic folklore

Category A: Authentic dances

All participants shall performs at least 2 authentic Bulgarian horos in up to 10 minutes. Both horos shall be accompanied by a presentation that highlights the folklore region they come from and the custom they usually represent or are related to. This category is free of any limitations of the number of dancers and their age.

Category B: Custom folklore

All rituals and customs shall be presented in a time slot up to 15 minutes. Authentic costumes are required. This category is free of any limitations of the number of dancers and their age.

Category C: Authentic songs /group performance/

а) up to 18 years

б) over 18 years

2 couplets of a song shall be performed in up to 4 minutes.

Category D: Authentic costume competition

Contestants can compete in this category with either one or two /woman and man/ authentic costumes. Each participant shall present his gown, its age, region and history in up to 2 minutes.

Division II – Bulgarian rituals, customs and theatres

Performers from all ages may join this division by performing all kinds of theatres, anecdotes, jokes etc in up to 5 minutes in a group no bigger than 5 people all dressed in traditional costumes. No professional actors or performers are allowed to participate in the competition.

а) up to 18 years

б) over 18 years

Division III – Contemporary folklore

Category A: Dance groups and ensembles

а) Group 1 – 7-12 years old

б) Group 2 – 12-18 years old

в) Group 3 – over 18 years old

The group shall perform either a program or a few separated dances /in case a costume change is required/ in up to 10 minutes.

Category B: Individual dances

а) up to 18 years

б) over 18 years

Individual dances shall be performed in up to 6 minutes.

Category C: Choirs

а) up to 18 years

б) over 18 years

2 couplets of a song shall be performed in up to 4 minutes.

Division IV – Folklore songs

Category A: Individual professional performances

а) Group 1 – 7-12 years old

б) Group 2 – 12-18 years old

в) Group 3 – over 18 years old

Performers from National schools of fine arts, music academies or ensembles could participate in the competition with 2 couplets of a song in up to 4 minutes.

Category B: Individual unprofessional performances

а) Group 1 – 7-12 years old

б) Group 2 – 12-18 years old

в) Group 3 – over 18 years old

Performers that enjoy singing traditional Bulgarian songs could participate in the competition with 2 couplets of a song in up to 4 minutes.

Category C: Chamber formations

а) up to 18 years

б) over 18 years

Chamber formations such as duos, trios or quartets could participate in the competition with 2 couplets of a song in up to 4 minutes.

Division V – Groups for traditional Bulgarian horos

Each group shall perform at least 2 authentic Bulgarian horos in up to 6 minutes. Each horo shall be accompanied by a presentation that highlights the regions it originates from. This category is free of any limitations of the number of dancers, their age or costume choice. Artistry and sync are the key factors that the jury will take into account in this division.

- The fee for the international participants that will send their videos is 50 EUR for groups and 20 EUR for individual performers. All fees shall be paid via bank transfer until September 10^th 2024 (bank details could be found in the official application form).

- All international groups and individual performers participate in the International Division and shall present Bulgarian folklore.

- All awards will be sent and delivered to the addresses written in the application form

Category A : Choirs

Each performance shall be limited to 4 minutes.

а) up to 18 years

б) over 18 years

Category B: Individual performances

Each performance shall be limited to 4 minutes.

а) up to 18 years

б) over 18 years

Category C: Dance groups and ensembles

The group shall perform either a program or a few separated dances /in case a costume change is required/ in up to 10 minutes.