VI.International Music & Folk Dance Festival Neos Marmaras 2012

Location: Neos Marmaras, Greece
Date: 22 - 7 May 2012, 18 - 23 September 2012

Neos Marmaras
is the most cosmopolitan village in Sithonia. It combines sea and mountain, wild entertainment and romantic walks, Greek and international cuisine in a unique way. A walk along the pine-clad path that unwinds next the sea gives the visitor a unique amphitheatrical view of Neos Marmaras and the uninhabited island of Kelyfos (shell), just opposite, shaped like a tortoise. The sun mirrors upon the sea, the sky changes a myriad of colors at sunset, the sand shimmers on the beaches, wet by the deep-blue waters and the scattered pebbles shine in elegance among the waves that reach the seashore. Only poetic and romantic images come to mind, as no one remains unmoved by nature’s magnificence, unfurled in front of visitors to Neos Marmaras every day.

History
Neos Marmaras was founded in 1922 by refugees that came from the island of “Marmaras” in Asia Minor. Before then the area belonged to the Grigoriou Monastery of Mt. Athos. Today, to the east of the village, the monastery buildings, erected around 1905, survive, as well as the church of the Assumption of the Virgin, built in 1865. During the 1960s, southeast of Neos Marmaras, “Porto Carras” was constructed, one of the largest hotel complexes in Greece. Its presence led to enormous development and turned the village into one of the main tourist destinations of Halkidiki. Because of the rapid development, the inhabitants of Parthenonas, an old village at the foot of Mt. Itamos, united with Neos Marmaras in 1970 and created the western section of todays village.

How to come
Neos Marmaras is located on the Sithonia peninsula, 100 km from Thessaloniki's Airport. There are frequent bus services to and from Thessaloniki and the neighboring towns of Sithonia. Taxis can also be hired for airport transfers. Route, if you go by bus or car is Thessaloniki - Nea Moudania - Nikiti - Neos Marmaras

Beaches
The beaches of Neos Marmaras are surprisingly diverse, endless sandy beaches or small coves, cosmopolitan or secluded, shallow or deep, depending on the visitor desires, but always with unspoiled, crystal-clear waters. Neos Marmaras’ main beach, with many fish-taverns and beach-bars, starts at the last cove of the
town and stretches all the way to Porto Carras. Some of the most notable beaches for swimming are Lagomandra, Tripotamos, Paradisos, Azapiko, Spalathronisia, Ladario, Keramaria, Koutsoupia, Tristinika, Kohi and Korakas.

Festival conditions:

• International Folklore Music and Dance Festival ’’NEOS MARMARAS CUP 2012.’’ is being held for the 6th time, under the patronage of the Neos Marmaras municipality. It is gathering folk dance groups and music bands from all over the world, who like to meet new people and spend holiday week in Greece, singing and dancing together.
• Festival organizers are Municipality of Neos Marmaras and PARADISO Club Travel Agency, Belgrade, Serbia.
• Festival is competitive and is open for all groups, no age limit. Winners will be awarded by special cups and medals. Propositions of the festival competition will be sent to groups later.
• Competition part of the festival is not obligatory, only for groups that apply. All other groups take part in the review night.
• There will be 5 winning categories: best performance-dancing, best orchestra-music, best choir-singing, best costumes, best scenery.
• Also, there will be some ’’friendly’’ awards: best animation, most cheerful group, etc.
• Groups will have two performances at the festival. Each group has to prepare 5-15 min. of quality program. Performances are on the open air stages, concrete.
• It is not necessary to have live music. It is also allowed to perform using CD, but it has to be of a good quality recording.
• Accommodation of participating groups is organized in the 3 star hotels, in apartments and studios with 3 and 4 beds in rooms, with bathroom, TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, on a half board basis (breakfast and dinner). For double rooms there are additional fees.
• Each group will get diploma for the participation to the festival, as well as DVD from the festival after the festival is finished.
• Every group will get official brochure of the festival with the presentation of the participating groups, in English.
• The group has to bring its national flag and board with the group name for the parade.
• If the weather is nice for swimming, every group has to take care about their members safety.
• Every group must have one english speaking person. Organizer will give an english speaking guide for every group who will be responsible for contact 24h a day.
• Number of participating groups is limited for each festival, so the places will be given to the groups who send their pre-payment first - 20€ per person (this amount is not refundable if the group cancels their participation).
• Each group has 1 free place for 20 persons who pay.
• The groups have to organize their travel to and from Neos Marmaras.
• Specially, for the groups that go from Belgrade, Serbia, there will be organized bus transfers. Return bus ticket price is 60eur per person.
• For the groups that are coming with their own bus there is a free parking place in the hotel aria.
• For the groups that are coming by plane, the organizers provide transfers for the performances free of charge. Also we can provide airport transfers (on group request we will send the offer). The nearest airport is Thessalloniki and the bus price depends on the number of people in the group, approx. 25eur per person, return ticket.
• If group needs visa, it is responsibility of the group to arrange it. Organizers can only give invitation letter to groups and can not interfere to visa issuing process and make extra contacts to embassies.
• The groups are recommended to have insurance policy for all their members.

Participation fee:

• 95 eur per person 5 days on a half board basis (breakfast and dinner) in 3 star hotels, in apartments and studios with 3 and 4 beds in rooms, with bathroom, TV, refrigerator, hair dryer, on a half board basis (breakfast and dinner).
• For double rooms there is additional fee of 10eur per person.
• There is a possibility to extend your staying, if you wish, under the special festival conditions, which is 19 eur per person for each extra day (half board basis).
• Application form, together with 2-3 group photos and short biography, should be sent latest until 31.Janauary 2012. Contact person: Mrs.Dragana Mirkovic, e-mail. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., tel.+381 65 25 21 078.
• Pre-payment (20eur per person) should be done latest till 1st March 2012. Payment details will be sent to you after receiving your application form. Please take care that this amount is not refundable if the group cancels its participation.

Festival program:
The organizer keeps right to change the festival program.
Final program will be given to groups upon their arrival to the hotel.

1.day
12h-14h arrival of groups, check in to hotels (first meal is dinner) free day / swimming, walking, sports

2.day
18h Parade – short defile walking and short presentations
20h I.FESTIVAL EVENING opening ceremony performances of the groups – review night

3.day
free day - ship cruise around Chalkidiki (optional, for the groups that wish)

4.day
18h Parade – short defile walking and short presentations
20h II.FESTIVAL EVENING - performances of the groups – competition night closing and award ceremony

5.day
free day - optional, for the groups that wish, excursion to Thessalloniki, panoramic sightseeing, going to famous ”MAGIC PARK” and shopping mall ’’COSMOS’’
(for the groups that are coming by bus, this will be done on the 6th day, on their way back home)
21h FAIRWELL PARTY - gift exchange between groups and organizers

6.day
departure of the groups, after breakfast latest till 12h check out from hotels (for those that go to visit Thessalloniki, departure at 9h) - excursions are not included in the price - festival fee

• ship cruise ticket is about 25eur per person (whole day sailing around the islands, stop in Pefkohori for swimming, drink and lunch on the boat, animation)
• excursion to Thessalloniki depends on the number of people applied, approx. 25eur per person, for the groups without a bus, plus the entrance ticket to Magic park (10 eur). The groups with their own transportation, pay only the entrance ticket to Magic park, 10eur per person

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