- General Provisions
The brand of the International Youth Arts Festival (IYAF) “The Muses” is a registered trademark at the Patent Office of the Republic of Bulgaria.
IYAF “The Muses” is a multi-genre festival-competition featuring various forms of art: dance, music, theater, visual and applied arts, unconventional forms, literary arts, and cinema.
Extending the participants’ stay is possible only before and after the festival days and must be requested in advance through the participation form.
The performances of creative groups and soloists during the festival cannot be used for commercial purposes. All performances are free of charge unless they are part of charitable causes.
Participation in the festival is also possible for non-competitive participants. These participants take part in the program through parades, mixed concerts, and accompanying events.
- ORGANIZERS.
The International Youth Arts Festival (IYAF) “The Muses” is organized by the “Muses” Association, in collaboration with the Sofia Municipality and the Municipality of Sozopol.
Sofia is the beautiful capital of Bulgaria, rich in ancient history. It is a unique city that combines Bulgaria’s rich past with the dynamics of modern life.
Sozopol is one of the most beautiful towns on the Southern Black Sea coast. Its artistic atmosphere and cultural events make it a favorite destination for artists and tourists alike.
The “Muses” Association was established in 2006 in accordance with the requirements of the Bulgarian Non-Profit Legal Entities Act.
- Festival Objectives
The IYAF “The Muses” aims to achieve the following goals:
- Showcasing the creative achievements of artistic ensembles and solo performers from various countries;
- Creating opportunities for professional communication and fostering partnerships and joint creative projects;
- Promoting national forms of creativity and encouraging the creative initiatives of talented individuals;
- Engaging leading figures in the arts and culture from participating countries and integrating them into the international creative process;
- Encouraging individual and collective artistic talents;
- Popularizing Bulgarian national schools, artistic ensembles, and solo performers in various creative fields;
- Enhancing the aesthetic standards of artistic expression;
- Facilitating the productive exchange of creative experiences;
- Drawing public attention to contemporary forms of art.
- Festival Symbolism
The International Youth Arts Festival (IYAF) “The Muses” features its own symbols: a name and logo (registered trademark), an anthem, and a flag. The festival logo can only be used on physical products such as T-shirts, scarves, hats, banners, and other materials with the explicit permission of the trademark owner.
An official website is maintained to promote IYAF “The Muses.” The festival symbols are displayed on the website.
- Partners and Sponsors
Partners, media partners, and sponsors of the festival may include cultural institutions, media outlets, individuals, and organizations that share the goals and ideas of the festival, in compliance with the Sponsorship Act. Relationships, rights, and obligations with partners are formalized through contracts.
- Festival Participants
IYAF “The Muses” welcomes ensembles and solo performers from art schools, academies, studios, cultural centers, as well as children and youth aged 5 to 35 for competitive and non-competitive programs. Adults over 35 years can participate in the non-competitive program.
There are no restrictions on the number of ensembles or participants within each group.
Participants are grouped into the following age categories:
- First Age Category: 5 to 12 years old
- Second Age Category: 13 to 18 years old
- Third Age Category: 19 to 35 years old
- Fourth Age Category: 35 years and older
Each group may include up to 30% of participants from a younger or older age category.
Every group and individual performer presents a unique program. Repeating the same performances across different concerts by the same participant is not allowed. Each group and soloist participates with two performances in the competitive program and one performance in the closing concert of their respective session (for prize-winning entries). These performances must be specified in advance in the application form.
Participants not involved in the competition take part in parades, the opening and closing concerts of the respective festival session, and in scheduled days for free creative performances.
- Festival Leadership
The governing bodies of the International Youth Arts Festival (IYAF) “The Muses” include:
- The Organizational Committee
- The Chairperson of the Organizational Committee
- The Festival Director
To coordinate the organizational and creative activities during the preparation and execution of the festival, an Organizational Committee is established. The committee includes representatives from the “Muses” Association and the Municipality of Sozopol. The Chairperson of the Organizational Committee is also the Chairperson of the “Muses” Association.
The Organizational Committee is responsible for:
- Maintaining up-to-date information on the festival website;
- Organizing and executing the festival’s promotional campaign;
- Providing additional festival symbols for participants, such as T-shirts, scarves, hats, and more;
- Maintaining contact with festival sponsors;
- Ordering the production of diplomas and trophies;
- Approving the festival program;
- Preparing an application form template for participation;
- Conducting the preliminary selection of festival participants based on submitted applications;
- Organizing the reception and accommodation of participants;
- Ensuring proper conditions for rehearsals and performances, including selecting appropriate teams and equipment for sound, lighting, special effects, etc.;
- Providing media coverage for all festival concerts and events;
- Ensuring audio and video recording of all festival concerts and performances;
- Organizing additional accompanying events, such as excursions, animations, and more.
The Festival Director is appointed by order of the Chairperson of the “Muses” Association.
- Types of ArtsCompetitive and Non-Competitive Sections and Categories
- SECTION: DANCE ARTS
Category 1. Folk Dances
Includes authentic or stylized folk dances, character dances, chamber dances, narrative dances, and thematic dances.
Each group may present up to two performances in one or more of the listed genres, with a total presentation time of up to 10 minutes.
Category 2. Classical Dances
Includes classical ballet performances.
Participants may present up to two dances, each lasting between 5 to 8 minutes. Solo performers can present an individual program lasting up to 4 minutes in a style of their choice.
Category 3. Contemporary Dances
Includes contemporary dance, dance show programs, Graham technique, neo-classical dance, and more.
Participants may present up to two dances, each lasting between 5 to 8 minutes.
Category 4. Street Dances
Performances should adhere to the stylistics of Hip-Hop dance and may include all styles of street dance.
Participants may present up to two dances, each lasting between 5 to 8 minutes.
Category 5. Sports (Ballroom) Dances
Includes formations specializing in sports (ballroom) dances, presenting competitive compositions in standard and/or Latin American dances.
The compositions should be based on the five standard or Latin American dances. Narrative forms are recommended, with a duration of 5 to 8 minutes.
Category 6. Step Dance
Includes ensembles performing up to two dances, each lasting up to 5 minutes.
- SECTION: MUSICAL ARTS
- SECTION: VISUAL, APPLIED, AND PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS
Category 1. Visual Arts
Participants provide two artworks of any size and theme (no restrictions on drawing materials).
- Each artwork must be labeled with the participant’s full name, age, city, country, address, and contact phone number.
- Submitted artworks will be displayed in an exhibition during the festival.
Category 2. Applied Arts
Participants (clubs, schools, and individuals) may provide up to two exhibits of their choice, including sculptures, decorative and applied works, woodcarving, ceramics, textiles, and others.
- Submitted works will be displayed in an exhibition during the festival.
Category 3. Photography
Each participant may submit up to two black-and-white or color photographs, with format and theme of their choice. Photographs must be printed on paper.
- Each photograph must be labeled with the participant’s full name, age, city, country, address, and contact phone number.
- Submitted photographs will be displayed in an exhibition during the festival.
- SECTION: LITERARY ARTS
Each participant presents their own literary work on a free theme, with a maximum duration of 5 minutes.
- Submitted works will be included in a literary evening organized during the festival.
- SECTION: THEATRICAL ARTS
Categories: Dramatic Performance, Puppet Theater, Street Theater, Musical Theater, Physical Theater, and Mime
For participation:
- Full performance: Up to 40 minutes.
- Small stage forms, monodramas, or complete scenes: 10 to 20 minutes.
- Individual performances: 5 to 10 minutes.
Note: Performances that exceed the time limit or contain inappropriate scenes or language will be interrupted.
- SECTION: UNCONVENTIONAL FORMS
Categories: Show Programs, Fire Shows, Fashion, Attractions, Circus Arts
- Groups may present a program of up to 8 minutes in a style of their choice.
- Individual performers may present a program of up to 4 minutes in a style of their choice.
G.SECTION: CINEMA
Categories: Feature Film, Documentary Film, Experimental Film, Animation, Video Art
- Films must have a maximum duration of 20 minutes on a free theme with English subtitles.
- Submitted works will participate in the competition during the festival.
H.SECTION: SPORTS
Categories: Acrobatics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Martial Arts, Majorette Groups, Sports Rock and Roll, Aerobics
- Groups may present a program of up to 8 minutes in a style of their choice.
- Individual performers may present a program of up to 4 minutes in a style of their choice.
- Competition
The competitions are conducted in a single round as public performances. Participants in each section and category are divided into age groups.
No changes to the rules are allowed. In case of a violation, the jury has the right to interrupt the performance.
The order of performances is determined by the Organizational Committee, and no changes are permitted.
Participants in the competition present two performances with durations specified in the “TYPES OF ARTS – SECTIONS AND CATEGORIES” section.
In the closing concerts of each session, only the winners of the “Grand Prix” and first-prize laureates are allowed to participate with one performance.
From a single creative group, in addition to the group performance, no more than one individual performer or a small group (duet, trio, quartet) is allowed to participate in the competition program within the same section and category.
Participants in the competition program are not allowed to perform in the non-competition program on stage (except for workshops and open-air events).
The competition jury is international, consisting of scholars from the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and prestigious international universities, as well as established artists: musicians, singers, instrumentalists, composers, lyricists, choreographers, directors, visual artists, theater professionals, directors of international festivals, and artistic leaders of creative groups that have won the Grand Prix in various arts at previous editions of the “The Muses” festival.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Technique of performance
- Artistic impact
- Mastery of execution
- Stage presence and artistry
- Originality
- Costumes
- Acting, scenography, and directing
- Composition and structure
- Creativity of the concept
The jury evaluates the participants’ performances and determines the rankings.
The jury’s decisions are final and cannot be appealed. A final protocol is drafted, and the rankings are announced during the closing concert of the respective session.
Members of the Organizational Committee cannot be part of the jury and do not participate in voting. The jury evaluates performances under equal conditions, without considering material capabilities, social status, nationality, or origin of the participants, focusing solely on their creative expression.
The jury is prohibited from disclosing competition results prior to their official announcement.
- AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS
Winners in each category of the competition program receive the title “Laureate” of First, Second, or Third Prize, along with a diploma, plaque, material prize, and gifts.
The highest award is the “Grand Prix” of the Festival-Competition, awarded in each category of art. Artistic directors of creative groups that win the “Grand Prix” are offered the opportunity to be part of the international jury in the following year’s festival.
If necessary, winners are determined through an additional round of the nominees selected by the jury during the competition.
Rankings depend on the number of participating groups and soloists in each category:
- With only one participant, no ranking is conducted.
- With two participants, only a First Prize Laureate is awarded.
- With three participants, First and Second Prize Laureates are awarded.
- With four participants, First, Second, and Third Prize Laureates are awarded.
The jury reserves the right to withhold any of the awards at its discretion.
Prizes
All participating groups, including those not in the competition program, as well as unranked participants in the competition program, receive a participation diploma, a statuette, and a gift. Individual performers receive a diploma and a medal.
Creative groups, individual participants, and their directors are recognized with prizes and awards for:
Special Awards:
- Award of the Municipality of Sozopol
- Award of the “Muses” Association
- Awards from Sponsors
- Awards from Partners
- Audience Award
- Jury Award
- Award for a Foreign Dance Group Performing Bulgarian Folklore
- Award for a Foreign Singing Group Performing a Song in Bulgarian
- Awards for organized workshops in various art sections
Cash Prizes:
- Special Prize for “Dance Arts”
- Special Prize for “Musical Arts”
- Special Prize for “Visual, Applied, and Photographic Arts”
- Special Prize for “Literary Arts”
- Special Prize for “Theatrical Arts”
- Special Prize for “Unconventional Forms”
- Special Prize for “Cinema”
- Special Prize for “Sports”
- NON-COMPETITIVE PROGRAM
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Organizational Requirements.
Participation Requirements
To participate in the festival, it is mandatory to fill out and submit an Application Form using the template and deadline approved by the organizers. The application must be clearly completed, providing accurate and complete information. Repertoire changes can be made no later than 15 days before the start of the festival-competition.
Registration is completed by sending the application form and photos to the email address fest@muzite.org. Confirmation of registration is issued after an advance payment of 30% of the total participation fee.
By submitting the application, the applicant agrees to the festival’s terms and conditions. The application template and submission deadline are published on the festival’s website. Applications must be sent electronically to the organizers.
A preliminary program is published on the festival’s website. Based on the information provided in the application and photos, a scenario is prepared for the opening concerts, competition, and non-competition performances. During the technical conference, participants must also present their music recordings on magnetic media. The organizers reserve the right to make changes to the program if objectively necessary, even after its release.
Group leaders are fully responsible for their groups, costumes, and props.
- Technical Requirements.
Music recordings must be submitted on CDs or non-volatile, reprogrammable computer memory (USB flash drives) with perfect sound quality. Each recording must be on a separate medium, labeled with the performer’s name, the title of the piece, and its exact duration. A backup copy is mandatory.
- Rights
The festival organizers reserve the right to fully or partially record audiovisual works, create, publish, and distribute them indefinitely, and use them for promotional purposes. Concert programs may be broadcast through various private, national, and public media without compensation to participants.
Media coverage and recording rights are granted exclusively to media with contractual agreements as festival partners. Other organizations and media may record and broadcast festival events only with the organizers’ permission. Any other issues not regulated in this statute are resolved by the Organizational Committee.
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Festival Conduct.
The festival opens with a celebratory parade through the central streets of the city, concluding at the “Apollonia” Amphitheater. Participants should wear either their concert attire or specially selected clothing for the parade.
All participants must carry their national flag. During the parade, delegations are led by flag bearers representing their country. One flag bearer and one main representative from each country are selected to lead their group during the opening and closing ceremonies.
Organizers recommend that creative groups and individual participants learn the lyrics, music, and choreography of the anthem of IYAF “The Muses” beforehand.
Concerts with competitive programs are held at the Amphitheater or the theater hall of “Otets Paisiy” Community Center in Sozopol, as well as at other open stages in the Sozopol municipality area. Rehearsals are mandatory for all leaders and participants and take place on the same day starting at 16:00.Rehearsal time is allocated as follows:1 minute for soloists, 3 minutes for groups,5 minutes for ensemblesRehearsals are for acoustic and spatial testing on stage, checking recordings, and verifying technical support (microphones). Full program performances are not allowed during rehearsals.
Artistic Presentation Areas
Young artists, designers, and craftsmen participate in competitions, open-air sessions, and the “Muses Alley of Arts.” The best works are displayed in a permanent exhibition for the duration of the festival.
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Accommodation, Catering, Transport, and Additional Tourist Services.
To provide basic tourist services (accommodation and catering) and additional services (transport, excursions, visits, entertainment, animations, attractions, etc.), a contract is signed between the organizers and the leaders of creative groups or individual participants, in accordance with the Tourism Act.
The organizers offer basic tourist services (accommodation and catering) and additional services for group leaders and participants at predetermined prices. The type of service package is specified in the participation application (e.g., participation and accommodation; participation, accommodation, and catering). It is recommended to book excursions in advance by including them in the participation application.
Accommodation and catering are provided in 2-star and 3-star hotels and guesthouses in Sozopol and its region. Hotel reservations are made based on the order of application submission and the preferred hotel choice. The organizers are not responsible for arranging or covering costs for accommodation of individuals not included in submitted or timely applications.
Extension of stay is only possible before or after the festival dates!
All festival-related tourist services are managed by the travel agency Tripzon.
Group leaders and participants must arrange and cover their own travel insurance for the duration of the festival and associated travel.
For citizens of countries with which Bulgaria has visa facilitation agreements for cultural exchange, the “Muses” Association and the Municipality of Sozopol may assist with visa issuance upon receiving participant lists and payment of a participation deposit in advance.
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Financial Conditions.
All participants, excluding group leaders, are required to pay a participation fee.
When registering for both sessions, only one participation fee is charged.
Official rates are published on the IYAF “The Muses” website and cover:
- Participation fee
- Accommodation and stay
- Catering during the festival
- Excursions
The participation fee, along with other costs (accommodation, catering, and additional services), as well as the payment deadline, are determined annually by the organizers and published on the festival website.
For every 15 participants and accompanying persons who pay for a specific participation package, the organizers provide one free spot for the group leader with the same package.
The remaining balance (up to 100% of the total cost) must be paid no later than one month before the festival, either via bank transfer or in cash. A confirmation of payment, such as a scanned copy of the bank transfer document, must be sent via email or fax within this period.
In the event of a cancellation of a reservation linked to hotel accommodation for reasons beyond the organizers’ control, any payments already made are non-refundable. After the specified application deadlines or once hotel capacity is fully booked, participation terms for late applicants will be subject to additional negotiation.
Free Participation
Free participation is allowed for:
- Participants presented by organizations or individuals with contractual agreements with the organizers. In such cases, the participation conditions are determined by the contract.
- Participants nominated with awards in other events organized by the “Muses” Association. In these cases, participation terms are governed by the award’s conditions.
