Status

1. General principles.

The trademark of the International Youth Festival of Arts (IYFA) “Muzite” (in English: “The Muses”) is registered at the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria.

IYFA “Muzite” is a multi-genre festival and contest at different forms of arts: dance, music, theater, fine arts and applied art, non-standard forms, fiction and cinema.

The festival takes place in two parts, with competition for different sections of arts. Participants can join at will in both parts of the festival.

IYFA “Muzite” takes places each year from 5th to 15th of July in Sozopol, on the Black Sea coast. The festival is held in two sessions:

• I session – from 05 till 10th of July;
• II session – from 10 till 15th of July.

Arrival of the participants of the festival – 05^th July ;

Departure of the participants of the festival – 15^th July

Participants may join at will in both sessions.

The extension of the stay of all participants is possible only before or after the festival by prior request in the application form of participation.

The performances of creative ensembles and solo artists may not be used for commercial purposes. All the performances are for free.

It is possible the festival participants to take participant in non-contest parts of the festival. They participate in the program – parade, mix concerts and related events.

2. MANAGERS.

The IYFA “Muzite” is organized by the Association “Muzite” and the Municipality of Sozopol. The town of Sozopol is one of the most spectacular places at the Southern Black Sea coast, with ancient and rich history. Its artistic environment, plenty of monuments and cultural events makes the town a center-place for people of arts and tourists.

The Association “Muzite” is registered in 2006, in accordance with requirements of the Non-Profit Organizations Law.

3. GOALS OF FESTIVAL.

“Muzite” festival has been established to pursue the following goals:

• To present creative accomplishments of artistic ensembles and solo performers from different countries;
• To create opportunities for professional touch and the establishment of new partnerships and common creative projects;
• To develop national form of creative arts and to encourage creative initiatives of gifted people;
• To include in the festival leading figures from participating countries arts and culture and to allow their integration in the international creative process;
• To encourage individual and group creative abilities;
• To make Bulgarian schools of arts and national arts, creative groups and individuals popular;
• To improve the esthetic level of arts;
• To encourage a productive exchange of creative experience;
• To draw public attention to the contemporary forms of arts.

4. SYMBOLS OF FESTIVAL.

The IYFA “Muzite” has its symbols: trade name, trademark and logo, anthem and flag of the festival. The logo of the festival can be used for merchandising: T-shirts, shawls, hats, posters, banners only with the exclusive permission of the festival’s trademark owner. There is a website to promote the IYFA “Muzite”. The symbols are published on the website.

5. PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

Cultural institutions, media, individuals and legal entities that share the goals of the festival are welcome to become partners, media partners and sponsors of the event. They can do so in compliance with the Patron Act. Partner relations, rights and responsibilities are regulated by contracts.

6. PARTICIPANTS IN THE FESTIVAL

In IYFA “Muzite” can participate ensembles and soloists from the art schools, academies, schools, studios, cultural centers, children and youth from 5 to 35 years in a competitive and non-competitive program and adults over 35 years in a noncompetitive program.

There are no restrictions on the number of performing ensembles and the number of participants in each formation.

Participants in the festival perform themself in the relevant age category.

Age categories of participants:

• First age group: From 5 to 12 years old.
• Second age group: From 13 to 18 years old.
• Third age group: From 19 to 35 years old.
• Fourth age group: From 35 years old.

In any team from any age group is allowed up to 30% of the participants to be in younger or older age group.

Each team and individual artist involved with a different program. Repeat of the same performance of a participant in concerts not allowed. Every team or individual artist participates with two performances in the competition and with one performance in the concert of the closing session (laureates only), which is previously indicated in the application form.

Participants, who are not included in the competition program, participate in parade and mix concerts of opening and closing sessions of the festival, and in the provided days for non-contest appearances.

7. FESTIVAL MANAGEMENT

The management of the IYFA “Muzite” is:

• Organizational committee

• • Head of the committee
  • Festival’s manager

Organizational committee has been established to coordinate the organization and arts activities during festival preparation and carry-on. Organizational committee consists of members of Association “Muzite” and Municipality of Sozopol. Head of the committee is the leader of Association “Muzite”.

The organizational committee:

• • Maintains up-to-date information on the festival’s website;
  • Organizes and carries on the advertising campaign of the festival;
  • Provides additional symbols of the festival for all participants – T-shirts, shawls, hats, etc.;
  • Stays in touch with festival’s sponsors;
  • Orders production of diplomas and statues;
  • Approves festival’s program;
  • Prepares application form for participation in the festival;
  • Carries out the initial selection of participants, based on the input of application forms;
  • Organizes meeting and accommodation of participants;
  • Ensures appropriate settings for participants to carry out rehearsals and concerts, while selecting sound teams and technique, lightning and illumination;
  • Ensures media coverage of all concerts and performances of the festival;
  • Ensures audio and video shooting of all concerts and performances of the festival;
  • Organizes the pertaining events such as trips, animation, etc.

Festival’s manager is appointed by the head of Association “Muzite”.

8. TYPES OF ARTS – CONTEST AND NON-CONTEST SECTIONS AND CATEGORIES

1. SECTION “DANCE ART”

Category 1. Folklore dances.

Includes performance of authentic or modified folklore dances, character dances, chamber dance, story dance, thematic dance. The program of each group may include one or two optional performances in one or more of the genres mentioned above. The total time of performance should not exceed 10 minutes.

Category 2. Classical dances.

Includes classical dances. Participants are allowed to include in their program up to two dances, each of those not exceeding 5 to 8 minutes. The individual participants may present their programs upto 4 minutes in the chosen style.

Category 3. Contemporary dances.

Contemporary dances, dance show – programs, Graham dance, neo classic dance, etc. Participants are allowed to include in their program up to two dances, each of those not exceeding 5 to 8 minutes.

Category 4. Street dances.

Performances in that section should be in style, similar to Hip-Hop dance and may include all styles of street dances. Participants are allowed to include in their program up to two dances, each of those not exceeding 5 to 8 minutes.

Category 5. Ballroom dances

Ballroom dance formations may take part in this section and to perform together and under certain regulations standard or Latin dances. Dance compositions should be based on five standard or Latin dances. Story dance is recommended. The performance must have a duration between 5 and 8 min.

Each team might take part in the festival with two dances in a genre category.

Category 6. Step dances.

Participation of groups with up to two dances. Duration of each performance is up to 5 minutes.

B) SECTION “MUSIC ARTS”

Do not allow playback performance.

Category 1. Folklore song.

Folk choirs, groups, chamber ensembles, vocal and instrumental groups and soloists for the authentic, modified and original folk songs.

Folk choirs perform two songs (with or without accompaniment) lasting up to 5 minutes.

Groups, chamber ensembles and soloists perform two songs lasting up to 5, 4 and 3 minutes respectively. Participants must be dressed in folk costumes.

Category 2. Popular song

Vocal groups, vocal and instrumental groups and soloists performers of popular music. Participants may perform two songs with a playing time up to 5, 4 and 3 minutes respectively. The program allows a maximum of two individual performers for each team.

Singing of vocal groups is required to be “live” with musical accompaniment or singback. One of the songs should be performed in native language of participants. Only one performance of song in a foreign language allowed.

Category 3. Classical singing

Classic choirs and individual singers accepted. Performers should present two songs, one of which is a cappella, with a duration 5 and 3 minutes respectively

Category 4. Folklore musical instruments

Folklore musical instruments orchestras (mixed and homogeneous) and soloists are accepted.

Performers are expected to present a program with a total duration of up to 20 minutes for groups and 8 minutes for soloists.

Category 5. Pop, rock and jazz music.

Each formation may present a solo program with duration of up to 10 minutes in a style of choice. Soloist singers may present a program up to 5 minutes in these styles of own choice.

Category 6. Classical musical instruments.

Piano, violin and other classical instruments.

Soloists, chamber groups and orchestras. They should perform up to two musical pieces with a total duration of up to 8 minutes for the contest.

Category 7. Mixed music and dance ensembles.

Each formation can present a separate program to 20 minutes in the style of choice.

The performances of the ensembles are accompanied by live music or synbek.

3. SECTION “FINE ARTS, APPLIED ARTS AND PHOTOGRAPHY”

Category 1. Fine arts

Participants should provide two pieces of size and topic of their choice (regardless of the type of painting materials).

The works must to be inscribed with the name, age, city, state, address and phone number.

The paintings take part in an exhibition during the festival. All the works remain for the fund of the IYFA “Muzite”.

Category 2. Applied arts

Participants /art clubs, schools or individuals/ present up to two pieces – sculptures, plastic arts, decorative and applied works, carvings, ceramics, textiles, etc.

The pieces take part in an exhibition during the festival. All the works remain for the fund of the IYFA “Muzite”.

Category 3. Photography.

Photo contest and exhibition. Each person may participate with black-and-white or color photos, up to two pieces, with format and theme of choice. Photos must be typed on paper.

The works must be inscribed with the name, age, city, state, address and phone number.

The shots take part in an exhibition during the festival. All the works remain for the fund of the IYFA “Muzite”.

D) SECTION “FICTION LITERATURE”

Categories: 1. Essay; 2. Poetry; 3. Prose; 4. Narrative; 5. Literary musical story

Each participant presents his own essay, poetry or prose within 5 minutes.

The submitted works participate in the organized literary evening during the festival.

E) SECTION “THEATRE”

Categories: 1. Drama; 2. Puppetry; 3. Street theater; 4. Musical; 5. Plastic and pantomime.

Participation is open for the following theatrical forms:

– performance – up to 40 minutes.

– measuring less theatrical form, solo or finished stage, theater miniature – from 10 to 20 minutes.

– Individual acting – up to 10 min.

/ breach of the implementation duration is interrupted /

F) SECTION “NON-STANDARD FORMS”

Categories: 1. Show programs; 2. Fire show; 3. Attractions and circus; 4. Fashion shows

Each formation can provide a solo program to 8 minutes. Individual performers may offer a program to 4 minutes in a style of choice.

G) SECTION “CINEMA”.

Categories: 1. Feature films; 2. Documentaries; 3. Experimental Films; 4. Animations; 5. Video Arts; 6. Hybrid forms.

The films must be in an * avi or * mp4 *format with up to 10 minutes of free theme and with English subtitles.

The films will participate in the competition during the festival.

H) SECTION “SPORT”

Categories: 1. Acrobatics; 2. Rhythmic gymnastics; 3. Martial arts; 4. Cheerleaders (majorette) teams; 5. Sport rock and roll; 6. Aerobic

Each formation can provide a solo program to 5 minutes. Individual performers may offer a program to 4 minutes in a style of choice.

9. CONTEST

Contests are held in one round, as a large public event.

Participants in each Section and Category are divided into age groups. Performances exceeding the maximum allowed time not allowed. In case of violation, jury interrupts the performance.

The order of appearance is determined by the Organizational Committee. Changes are not allowed.

Contestants perform two pieces with duration specified in “Type of arts – sections and categories.”

During the opening concerts and the Grand Prix ceremony all the participants present one piece of up to 4 minutes.

Only the winners of the Grand Prix and the Laureateс of I award take part in the concerts for the closing of each session with one performance on the stage.

From a creative collective (team) there must be not more than an individual artist or group of people (duet, trio, quartet) to participate again in the competition, in the same section and category.

The competition jury is international – scientists from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and prestigious international universities, established artists, musicians, singers and instrumentalists, composers, writers, choreographers, directors, artists, dramatists, directors of international festivals, artistic directors of the creative teams – winners of the Grand Prix in the various arts from previous editions of the festival “The Muses”.

Evaluation criteria:

* technique;

* artistic effects;

* performance artistry;

* artistry and stage presence;

* originality;

* costumes;

* acting, stage design, directing;

* compositional plan;

* originality of the concept

The jury assesses the performances of the contestants on the 10-point grading system and ranking is made in accordance. Decisions of judges are final and not subject to appeal. A final report is prepared. The ranking is announced at the closure concert of the session.

Representatives of the organizing committee cannot be members of the jury and vote. The jury does not consider material capabilities, social status, nationality and origin of participants, but only the creative expressions of absolute equality terms under this statute. The jury has not the right to disclose the results of competitions to their official announcement.

10. PRIZES AND AWARDS

Winners in each category of the contest receive the title “Laureate” of I, II or III award, a diploma, a medal, and prizes and gifts.

The highest award is the ,,Grand prix” festival-competition, which is awarded for each category of art. If necessary, the winners are determined by an additional round of nominations by the jury during the competition and normal programs.

The ranking is set depending by the number of participating formations and individuals in their section. When one participant takes part in a section, a ranking is not made. If there are two participants, the Jury awards “I prize Laureate” only. When three players are involved in the session, the Jury awards winners of first and second prize. If four performers are included, first, second and third prizes are awarded.

The Jury has the right at its sole discretion not to award any of the prizes.

Prizes:

Each formation in a contest or non-contest program and these who are not winners in the contests also, receive a diploma of participation, a statuette and a gift. Individual performers receive a diploma of participation and medal.

Creative formations, individuals and managers are awarded as well with prizes and awards:

Special prizes:

* Sozopol Municipality Award;

* Prize of the Association “Muzite”;

* Sponsors Awards;

* Partner Awards;

* Audience Award;

* Jury Award;

* Best Foreign Dance team performing a Bulgarian folklore;

* Best Foreign ensemble performing a song in Bulgarian Language.;

* Prizes for workshops in different Art sectors.

Money prizes:

* Special Award for “DANCE ARTS”

* Special Award for “MUSIC ARTS”

* Special Award for “FINE ARTS, APPLIED ARTS AND PHOTOGRAPHY”

* Special Award for “FICTION LITERATURE”

* Special Award for “THEATRE”

* Special Award for “CINEMA”

* Special Award for “NON-STANDARD FORMS”

* Special Award for “SPORT”

11. NON CONTEST PROGRAM.

On stage.

Groups and individual artists participating in the competition can be presented on stage in the festival

* Each group can present two performances in a separate program up to 15 minutes in their style of choice.

* Individual participants may present two performances in a separate program up to 6 minutes in their style of choice.

Workshops.

The normal festival program includes conducting workshops in the various arts, led by:

* the festival Jury;

* leading specialists;

* group leaders.

Plenaries.

The program provides workshops in painting and applied arts and photography, literary and cinema-workshops within the theme „The magic of Sozopol and the Muses“.

The proposed theme and organized workshops are designed to reflect the most beautiful natural and historical attractions of the town, the most impressive events of the Muses and the unique image of the city and the festival in the eyes of artists.

Participants present Sozopol and the Muses:

* Air painting, applied art and photography workshops- in painting, applied work or images – up to two (2) pieces (no restrictions on size and type of material)

* Literary workshop – in reportage, news, chronicles, essays, portraits, interviews and more – up to two (2) pieces (printed on a white A4 paper, in an easily readable font (Times New Roman -14; Tahoma -14)

* Cinema workshop – in films, advertisings, reportage, interviews, artistic impressions, videos and others captured and fitted by various devices – mobile phone, camera, amateur camera – up to two (2) works with duration up to 3 minutes in * avi or * mp4 * format

The festival will not accept materials or equipment during the pre-production, production and post production of the submitted works (including subtitling and titration of the films in English)

Work title and author must be written in English.

Winners will be honored with special awards and will be presented in exhibitions, in literature and in movie nights during the festival.

All works remain the property of IYFA “Muses”, which reserves the right to use them in their performances and exhibitions, advertisements and charity.

12. ORGANIZATIONAL REQUIREMENTS.

Prerequisite for participation in the festival is completing and sending the request form to participate in the pre-approved by the managers of the festival type and model. Application forms should be filled clearly and contain complete and accurate information. Changes of the repertoire can be made not later than 15 days before the start of festival-contest!

The registration is done by sending the application form and photos to the e-mail: fest@muzite.org. Confirmation of registration is received after the advance payment of 30% of the total amount of participation.

The application form certifies that the applicant accepts the conditions of the festival. The model of the request form and deadline to dispatch it are published on the website of the festival. Requests are sent to the managers of the festival by e-mail.

The preliminary program is published on the festival website. Based on the information sent by the furure participants, the organizational committee prepares scenarios for the opening concert of the festival and competition and non-competitive events. At the technical conference, the participants present records of their performances on a magnetic media. The organizers reserve the right to change program if it is necessary, and after receiving it.

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

13. TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

The records and transcripts must be submitted on CD, or energy independent reprogrammable computer memory (flash memory), with a perfect sound quality. Each record should be on a separate media set with the name of the artist, piece title and exact duration of performance. Copies of records and transcripts are obligatory.

14. RIGHTS

The festival managers are entitled to full or partial recording rights of audiovisual works, to rights of their creation, publishing and distribution for an indefinite period, and their use for advertising and broadcasting the various concert programs through private and national public media, without paying rights or benefits to participants.

Media partners of the festival are entitled the right to cover and record the festival events. Other media do not have the right to cover and broadcast festival event unless the exclusive permission of festival’s managers. All other questions regarding the Festival, non-regulated by the current document, are determined by the festival’s Organizational committee.

15. FESTIVAL OPENING AND CONDUCT

A festive parade is carried out during the opening ceremony of the festival. The parade moves at downtown Sozopol and ends at Amphitheatre “Apollonia”. A mix concert is carried out at the Amphitheatre right after the parade. During the parade, participants at the festival should be dressed with costumes they will present themselves at the festival, or with special parade costumes.

Representatives of all participants must carry the national flag of their country. During the parade of the participants, the delegations are led by bearers with flags. On place, there must be select a standard-bearer and a major representative of the state of the participating team. They lead the group during the opening and closing ceremonies the festival.

Managers of the festival recommend that creative formations and soloists learn the text, music and choreography of the anthem of IYFA “Muzite”.

The festival concerts are with contest format, and are staged at the amphitheater or at the theatre hall of the library “Father Paissiy” in Sozopol, or at other outdoor scenes in Sozopol Municipality. A rehearsal takes places before each concert, at which all team leaders and players must be.

Rehearsal time – from 16:00h at the same day. The order of the program determines the order of rehearsals. It is not allowing time for complete performance of the programs during rehearsals. The rehearsal time set for each participant should not exceed 1 minutes for soloists and up to 3 minutes for groups. Under rehearsal time is understood the acoustic and space proportions of the scene, soundcheck of the recordings and the operation of the technical support (microphones, lights).

Young painter artists and designers exhibit their works in the contest, Art Gallery and Art Walk “Muzite”. Their best works are presented at a permanent exhibition until the end of the festival.

Apart from concerts, the festival program may include other related forms of expressions: master classes, meetings, courses, seminars, conferences, discussions, individual recitals and concerts, exhibitions, screenings, workshops, discothèques, games, animations and trips.

The festival events are documented by photo and video. The shootings might be published on the website of the festival, at the decision of festival’s managers. The website of the event also publishes a list of all participants in years.

Attend and support to participating in the festival program.

It is desirable that representatives from all groups to attend at theater performances and concerts are held in “Father Paissiy” and at the open stage . Events are often accompanied by a festive atmosphere, whose emotional content is actually the main reason why people join them as volunteers or visitors. Do not allow any political, religious or national propaganda in the region at the International Youth Arts Festival “Muses” . There shall be no banners, posters and other advertising l tools on the scenes and other facilities related to the Festival places, than those of sponsors and media partners of the festival.

16. ACCOMODATION, CATERING, TRANSPORT AND TOURIST SERVICES

Managers of the festival sign a contract with heads of creative formations and individual participants to provide basic tourist services (accommodation and meals) and additional tourist services (transport, trips, visits, entertainment, animation, attractions, etc.). The contract must be signed in compliance with the Tourism Act of the Republic of Bulgaria.

Managers of the festival provide basic tourist services (accommodation and meals) and additional tourist services (transport, trips, visits, entertainment, animation, attractions and more.) for heads of creative formations and individual participants at certain prices. The services of accompanying persons (parents, relatives, friends and acquaintances of heads of creative formations and participants, etc.) are provided at other prices. All prices depend on the age of participants and accompanying persons. The type of desired tourist services is mentioned in the application form (participation in the festival only; participation and accommodation; participation, accommodation and catering).

It is recommended that excursions to be requested in advance – to be filled in the application form.

Accommodation and catering is done in guest houses, hotels and restaurants 2 * and 3 * in Sozopol. Preserving the hotels is carried out by the order of sending the application form and preferences for hotel selection. Managers of the festival do not take responsibility to accommodate persons not included in the application form or persons, whose application forms are overdue.

The extension of stay of participants is possible only prior to beginning and after the end of the festival!

All tourist services at the festival are provided by the “Espace” travel agency.

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

For citizens of countries with which Bulgaria has agreements to alleviate visa under the cultural exchange, association “Muses” and Sozopol municipality can assist with visas after previously submitted lists, and paid a deposit for participation in the festival.

17. FINANCIAL CONDITIONS 

All participants without leaders must pay festival fee. Participants, willing to take part in both sessions of the festival, pay one fee only.

Official prices are posted on the website of IYFA “Muses” and apply to:

– festival fee;

– accommodation;

– meals during the festival ;

– excursions.

The amount of fee and other service charges (accommodation, meals and related services) and the deadline for payment shall be determined annually by festival’s managers and published on the festival’s website.

Managers of the festival provide one service package free of charge to the head of creative formation for every 15 participants, using and paid for one and the same service package.

Supplement to 100% of the total amount due for participation shall be paid not later than one month before the festival by bank transfer or in cash. Within this period a scanned copy of the bank transfer must be sent by e-mail or by fax to the festival’s managers.

In case of application cancellation, related to hotel reservation and for reasons beyond the festival’s managers, paid amount is not returned. Managers of the festival will further negotiate the conditions to take part in the event with participants, failed to send an application within deadline period and in case all hotel vacancies are over.

Participants may take part in the festival for free in following cases:

• if they have been proposed by organizations and/or individuals with whom managers of the festival have a contractual relationship. In this case, the conditions for participation are determined in accordance to the contractual relations;

• if they have been awarded a prize in other contests and events, managed by the Association “Muzite”. In this case, the regulations for participation are in accordance to the prize.