International Folk Festival

	IINTERNATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL VARNA 2009 REGULATIONS The 18th International Folk Festival will be held from 2 to 6 August, 2009 in the city of Varna, Bulgaria.
1.	Dance ensembles for traditional and elaborated folklore may apply for the following two categories: Youth Ensembles over 15 years old Adults’ Ensembles
2.	The ensembles wishing to participate in the 18th International Folk Festival - Varna 2009 should send a letter in English expressing their wish to participate in the Festival not later than 31 December 2008 to the address: International Folk Festival Culture Department Varna Municipality 43, Osmi Primorski Polk, blvd 9000 VARNA BULGARIA tel./fax ++359/ 52 659-159, e-mail: office@varnafolk.org www.varnafolk.org
3.	The candidates should send the following materials either with the letters or up to 31 January 2009: short CV of the ensemble; high quality colour pictures (PC - *.jpeg 1000-3000 pix) of the ensemble for the catalogue; recent video recordings (CD, DVD video tape) with ensemble's performance not shorter than 15 minutes. Note: The Organizing Committee will consider only the candidatures of those Ensembles who have sent the above required promotional materials in due time.
4.	The Organizing Committee covers the expenses of the ensembles for their stay in Varna during the festival period - accommodation and food from 12:00 noon on August 1, 2009 to 10:00 a.m. on August 07, 2009.
5.	The number of participants is not to be over 30 persons, including accompanying people and drivers (if the group travels by bus). Groups over 30 persons will not be admitted.
6.	The travelling expenses to and from Varna are to be the responsibility of the participants themselves.
7.	Up to the end of February 2009 the Organizing Committee will send official invitations to the ensembles, approved for participation in the festival.
8.	The ensembles are expected to be ready to take part in the Festival programmes with: two different performances respectively for the Opening and Closing ceremonies up to 6 min.; fragment performances for the processions 3 - 5 min; block performance lasting 20 minutes; performance 30-45 minutes;