World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2025

July 11-16, 2025

Organizers:

Municipality of Sozopol

Association The Muses

Euro folk academy

European Association of Folklore Festivals – EAFF

World Cup of Folklore – Sozopol 2025 is a competitive event, part of the Folklore Championship System of the European Association of Folklore Festivals – EAFF with the rank of International Championship. The folklore championship system includes local, national, regional, international and continental folklore arts championships. The highest event of the Championship System is the World Folk Championship. The hierarchical structure of the Championship system gives the participants the opportunity to rank and move to the next stage of the different ranked championships. The championship system is a modern form of promotion and preservation of cultural heritage, which combines a strengthened competitive start and a high level of performance of the participants.

The evaluations of the teams that appeared in the competition programs of the Championship system are valid for ranking in the World ranking list of folklore.

World Folklore Cup – Sozopol 2025 is held within the XX International Youth Festival-Competition of the Arts “MUZITE” – SOZOPOL 2025

LIVE TV broadcast on the Internet of all concerts on the website of “EurofolkTV”: tv.eurofolk.com,  YouTube Channel: @TVeurofolk,  Facebook:  EurofolkTV  и  EAFForg.

 Host city: Sozopol, Bulgaria

Sozopol (Созопол) is located in Southeastern Bulgaria. The city is located on a rocky peninsula in the southernmost part of the Burgas Bay. Sozopol is the oldest city on the Bulgarian Black Sea coast. The settlement arose at the end of the IV-III millennium BC. Later in 610 BC. on the site of today’s Sozopol, a Hellenic colony was founded under the name of Apollonia Pontica. In the 4th century, the city was known as Sozopolis and was under Byzantine rule. Today’s city is a favorite destination of Bulgarians and foreigners. The resort offers a variety of accommodation facilities, restaurants, discos, as well as excellent conditions for practicing water sports. If you want to have fun, take an underwater trip or a boat trip. In the city you can see many archaeological monuments: Architectural and Archaeological Reserve of Ancient Sozopol, Thracian fortresses in the area of Bakrlak, Thracian burial mounds, Fortress walls; Museums: Archaeological Museum, Alexander Mutafov House-Museum, Rosen Village Cell School. Every year in Sozopol, the Apollonia Arts Festival is held.

Regulation for participation:

To participate in the World Cup of Folklore™ – Sozopol, the participants need accreditation, which is realized under the following conditions:

• The application form must be sent to confirm participation. All filled applications will mean acceptance of the terms laid by the present regulation.
• A group delegation can include artists and their accompanying party. The number of artists and accompanying people is not limited.
• Groups, applying for participation, must have obtained prestigious awards from other events from Championship system or other prestigious contests awards to be mentioned in the application.
• It is recommended that groups for authentic folklore orient themselves to songs, melodies, customs and dances that are characteristic of the settlement and region they are from.
• Of great benefit will be the careful attitude to the costumes, props and musical accompaniment of the groups, which is of decisive importance for the domestic fidelity of the folk traditions.
• The group should prepare a 5/ 10/ 15-minute program accompanied by their own orchestra or music on FLASH memory.
• If a copyrighted work is used, the authors and arrangement must be indicated in the application form for participation.
• Each group should provide a few photos/ videos with a brief history of the group. These materials will be used for promotional, publication and advertising purposes.
• Each group should bring a flag of their country and the group if available, a board with the name of their group and country and few gifts for the Municipality visits and organizers or for exchange with the other participants.
• During the Championship, the organizers can invite the group to take part in common events – Official opening, Official closing, parade, cocktail party, accompanying concerts, master class or others. The presence of invited teams in various events is required.
• All participants organize their own travel to and from the place of conducting and pay their own travel expenses.
• All participants need to have the necessary international health insurance.
• After receiving your application form, a confirmation will be sent to you along with payment instructions.

 Formations that can take part in the competition program:

• vocal groups, folk choirs
• dance ensembles, dance clubs and schools for folk dances
• folklore ensembles
• wind and folk orchestras
• groups for recreating customs
• groups for old urban songs
• individual performers, duet and trio

The duration of the program should not exceed:

• For individuals – 5 minutes
• For groups – 10 minutes
• For ensembles – up to 15 minutes

Contest system includes the following categories:

1. A) Groups for folklore songs, authentic folklore; (choirs and choirs with accompaniment)
2. B) Groups for folklore songs, modern arrangement of folklore music; (choirs and choirs with accompaniment)
3. C) Folklore dance groups, authentic folklore; (folklore dance groups, ensembles)
4. D) Folklore dance groups, modern choreography; (folklore dance groups, ensembles)
5. E) Folklore ensembles  (mixed), authentic folklore; (live vocals, instrumentals and dances)
6. F) Folklore ensembles (mixed), processed performances; (live vocal, instrumental and dance)
7. G) Folklore and Classical instrumental groups; (ensembles, orchestras)
8. H) Folklore groups for recreating customs – replicas; (folklore groups, ensembles)
9. I) Groups for old urban songs or Classical music. (groups, ensembles)

*i  individual performers and duets by all categories except 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 over 18 years.

The jury evaluates by the following 3 criteria:
1. Level of complexity and technique of performance
2. Vision /costumes, properties, staging, selection of repertoire/
3. Stage manners /behavior on stage, gestures, contact with the audience, spirit emanation, artistry/

• The jury committee may participate only members authorized by EAFF.
• The evaluation system is sixty points, taking the arithmetic mean of the sum of the criteria.
• The jury is entitled to reduce the overall assessment in case of non-compliance with the regulation.

Awards:

• The big award of World Cup of Folklore™- Sozopol 2025, Bulgaria and a diploma for the WINNER of Grand Prix WORLD CUP OF FOLKLORE.
• Second place World Cup of Folklore, silver medal and a diploma.
• Third place World Cup of Folklore, bronze medal and a diploma.
• Vouchers for participation in the World Championship of Folklorе “World folk” and others with a total sum of 2 000 Euro.
• Nominations World Cup of Folklore, which give the right to participate in the ranking for Grand Prix.
• Awards in the relevant categories and a diploma for the World Cup of Folklore™ for the relevant category. The champions obtain golden medals, and for the second and third place – silver and bronze medals. A jury’s decision in the single categories could be given additional golden, silver and bronze medals with the relevant diplomas.
• Recommendations for participation in a Championship of a higher rank.
• Special awards from organizers and partners.
• The jury awards the best performances with a free of charge shooting and producing of a free video clip.
• All participating groups receive diplomas for participation and subject prizes. Awards are granted at an awarding ceremony.
• In the jury’s opinion and the producer Euro Folk Academy the best performers and artistic directors shall be honored with a Diploma for obtaining the rank Maestro or Maestro Academician. Diplomas are sent to the relevant municipalities with request for a solemn awarding.
• All art directors, teachers, choreographers, group and ensemble leaders also receive the Thankful Diplomas of the Championship sent by the relevant Ministry of culture of their country, or Local Municipalities with request for a solemn awarding.
• Award winners get a free of charge copy of the video product, which consists of their performances.
• The participants can order full recordings of their performances, including video clips, on DVD or FLASH for additional payment.

World Cup of Folklore™ categories are consistent with the categories of the /World ranking list of folklore/.

Collected points standings with odds for a World Cup of Folklore™.

Points valid for World ranking list of folklore:

Preliminary Program:

11.07.2025 (Friday) :

10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Community center “Father Paisii”, conference hall. Registration of participants.

14:00 – 15:00 Accommodation of the participants.

15:00 – 18:00 h . Excursions on request – boat trip, Ravadinovo Castle, Aquapark and others, sea bathing on the beach.

12.07.2025 (Saturday) :

16:00 – 18:00 Summer Theater “Apolonia”. Soundcheck folk ensembles, folk dance groups and clubs.

19:30 – 20:00 The parade for all participants will follow this route: Secondary School “St. Cyril and Methodius,” Odessa Street, Ropotamo Street, “Black Sea” Square, Republikan Street, Summer Theater “Apollonia”

20:30 – 23:00 Summer Theater “Apolonia”. Competition program folk ensembles, folk dance groups and clubs and Official opening.

13.07.2025(Sunday)

09:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Excursions upon request – boat trip, Ravadinovo Castle, Aquapark, free time, beach.

6:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Summer Theater “Apollonia”. Gala concert of the laureates from the second session of the “Muzite” Festival.

14.07.2025(Monday)

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Summer Theater “Apollonia”. Folklore World Cup – Sozopol 2025. Soundcheck.

7:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Summer Theater “Apollonia”. Folklore World Cup – Sozopol 2025. Concert program.

15.07.2025(Tuesday)

09:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Folklore World Cup – Sozopol 2025. Excursions upon request – boat trip, Ravadinovo Castle, Aquapark, free time, beach.

4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Summer Theater “Apollonia”. Folklore World Cup – Sozopol 2025. Soundcheck.

7:00 PM – 11:00 PM: Summer Theater “Apollonia”. Folklore World Cup – Sozopol 2025.
Closing ceremony and awards presentation.

Participation fee:

Festival package 1:

Individual participants – 45 Euro

Small groups up to 10 participants – 35 Euro per person

Groups over 10 participants – 30 Euro per person

Participation in the contest, concerts and festivals events

Group or individual participation diploma

Poster, Branded magnet

Festival package 2 – optional – 15 Euro per person:

Branded Festival T-shirt

Рersonal Branded badge

Personal diploma for participation

* Festival Package 1 is mandatory and payable for participants. Accompanying persons do not pay this fee. /Drivers, artistic directors, parents, VIPs and fans./

** Festival package 2 is optional and can also be ordered for accompanying persons.

*** Branded T-shirts are made according to given dimensions. You will receive a size chart when ordering. Festival package 2 must be ordered at least 30 days before the start of the festival.

**** Information about the named diplomas and Branded badges must be submitted up to 30 days before the start of the festiva

Conditions:

·         The participation fee includes organizational and technical support of the competitions and other festival events;

·         Participation fee includes participation in the contest or the non-competition program in one category. Participation in the competition in other categories is available for an additional fee 50%.

·         Festival participation fee does not include accommodation and food and is paid once by each participant.

·         In the event of the arrival of a smaller number of participants than originally requested, the fee is not refunded or deducted.

·         Confirmation of the request is carried out based on the submission of a request for participation by the team. After confirmation of the request, an advance amount of Guarantee fee and accommodation reservation must be paid.

·         All fees are to be paid by bank transfer.

Accommodation fees:

 11 – 16 July – 5 HB (6 days/5 nights on Half Board)

• Baisic / Guest Houses – 5 HB /Half board/ – 205 EUR
• Baisic / Guest Houses – 5 OB  /Only Bed/ – 140 EUR
• Baisic       2* – 5 HB /Half board/ – 235 EUR
• Baisic       2* – 5 OB  /Only Bed/ – 170 EUR
• Comfort    3* – 5 HB /Half board/ – 265 EUR
• Comfort    3* – 5 OB  /Only Bed/ – 205 EUR

The prices does not include participation fee. The participation fee is paid separately

The price includes:

• accommodation in a guest houses or in 2*, 3* hotels in rooms with 2, 3 and 4 beds, studios and apartments with 3 and 4 beds for participants in Sozopol (on demand, there is accommodation in the towns of Primorsko, Sunny Beach and Kiten);
• 5 nights half-board (accommodation, breakfast and dinner);
• 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) in restaurant 2*or 3*;

NOTE:

The price is a package and applies to all members of the delegation (participants, managers, parents, fans).

The choice of hotels is determined by the order of registration for participation and the capacity of the hotels.

Accommodation in hotels that have a restaurant is with obligatory meals.

Minimum number of nights – three nights. For three and four nights, the prices are negotiated additionally.

The extension of stay of participants is possible only prior to the beginning and after the end of the festival. Prices are negotiable.

Should you prefer an accommodation in a single room or an individual accommodation in a double room, prices are negotiable. Please contact the festival organizers.

We also offer an accommodation in 4* and 5* hotels. For more information and prices, please contact the organizers.

REGISTRATION AND PAYING FOR TOURIST SERVICES:

• Approved groups pay an upfront 10% guarantee fee, which is deducted from the final payment.
• At the next stage, 20% is paid for booking accommodation.
• The rest of the payment 70% is paid no later than 1 month before the start of the festival by bank transfer or upon arrival with the permission of the organizers.

In case of application cancellation or the arrival of a smaller number of participants than originally requested, charges related to hotel reservation paid in advance cannot be refunded.

Note: Organizers of the festival will further negotiate the conditions of participation in the event with participants who failed to send an application within the deadline May 30^th, 2025 and in case all hotel vacancies are occupied.

Discounts:

Group discounts:

• For a group of 20 people, the 21th is welcome free of charge.
• Children of up to 2 years of age are accommodated free of charge
• Children of up to 6 years of age are accomodated at 30% discount.

Other payments for optional services:

• 20 EUR per person Burgas-Sozopol-Burgas transfer (for groups of at least 20 people);
• 50 EUR per person Varna-Sozopol-Varna transfer (for groups of at least 30 people);
• 100 EUR per person (depending on the number of passengers) Istanbul-Sozopol -Istanbul transfer;
• 10 EUR day per person extra charge for lunch for a group of at least 15 people

Terms of stay:

Arrival of the participants on July 11; departure – July 16.

Check-in is dependent on arrival, but no earlier than 14:00 PM on the same day, and check-out – up to 12:00 PM on the day of departure. All keys must be returned to the reception desk before departure. Extended stay on the departure day is possible with prior coordination.

Accommodation and use of common areas in a manner that prevents or offends other guests /residents will be cause for termination of the stay. No smoking is allowed in the hotels. Pets are not allowed. Any damages to the hotel property during the stay must be paid before departure.

Visiting teams who arrive with their own organized transport can park their bus or other vehicle in a guarded or unguarded parking at their own expense.

The group leaders are fully responsible for their teams, costumes and props.

All heads of creative formations and individual participants must pay international helth insurance for themselves in advance for the period of traveling and stay during the festival.

All tourist services are provided by Tour Operator and Travel Agent.

Registration of participants: Registration of the participants, receipt of the presentation materials, signing and handing over of contracts and clarifications on the program will be carried out from 10:00 – 14:00  by the person in charge of the group /artistic director/ at the registration office in the “Father Paisiy” Community Center.

General terms: With the receipt of the application for participation, the acceptance of the conditions defined by this regulation is certified.

Fees and accommodation are paid by bank transfer.

Invoices are received electronically or at the office upon registration.

In case of unforeseen or force majeure circumstances, the organizer reserves the right to make changes. In accordance with the current economic situation, in the event of an increase in prices, the organizers reserve the right to make adjustments.

Explicit text: In case of approved participation in the Championship, the collectives or organizations representing them cede to the organizer the right to have the performances recorded on audio and video, formed into a program presenting the festival and broadcast on a television channel or in another way, for which a contract is signed.

THE ORDER OF THE SAUNCHEK FOLLOWS THE ORDER OF THE PERFORMERS IN THE PROGRAM BY DAYS THE ORGANIZERS RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE PROGRAMME

For more information: www.muzite.org , www.eaff.eu
For application: e-mail: office@muzite.org, office@eaff.eu