International Folk Festival - Dance Festival Macedonia 2012
International Folk Festival - Dance Festival Macedonia 23 - 27 May 2012
International Folk Festival - Dance Festival Macedonia 2012
"St.Kiril & Metodij"
Location: Ohrid, R. of Macedonia
Date: 23 - 27 May 2012
With pleasure we INVITE you to participate on III International Children’s & youth folk – dance festival “St.Kiril & Metodij” 23 - 27 Maj, Ohrid 2012
The intention of our invitation is to invite you to celebrate together the day of St. Cyril & Methodius, 24th of May in Ohrid (city of St. Kliment and St.Naum – best students of St.Cyril & Methodius). The Festival light motive is to present the cultural tradition of different countries and to provide an opportunity for the members of groups to get together, to establish friendships and culture presentation trough dance and music.
Ohrid is one of the oldest settlements in Macedonia. According to famous television game show “who wants to be a millionaire “ in 2007 on British Television ,Ohrid is declared as the oldest city in the world, with continuous civilization advancement! Indeed, according to many historians, Lychnidos-the city of light (the ancient name of Ohrid ) was build in the 4th century B.C, but humans have lived there for more than 8.000 years. Here in Ohrid, from its beginning until today, life still goes on, without ending. That is why it‘s also called “the kingdom of archaeologists”.
This small city seemed to be irresistible for great ancient rulers and kings, such as the legendary Phoenician prince Cadmus who build it, Fillip 2 of Macedon who once conquered and reconstructed it, Alexander the Great who enjoyed in it, Czar Samuel who ruled from it and many more.
However, Ohrid is the only place in the world where 2 recognized saints actually lived in the same time - St. Clement of Ohrid (840-916) and St.Naum of Ohrid (830-910), putting an extremely strong stamp of their existence.
These 2 exceptional persons, the best students of Cyril and Methodius, were in fact the most educated persons in the world in their time. Among other achievements, they will always be remembered as establishers of the first University in Europe (893), located in Ohrid Old Town, long before the University in Bologna (1088). Besides that, St. Clement and St. Naum of Ohrid were founders of the Cyrillic Alphabet. As a result of their creativity and incredible work, today more then 200 million people still use this alphabet, mostly in Southeast and Eastern Europe.
Ancient ruins, beautiful amphitheatre, 3 citadel walls, St.Sofia Cathedral, St.Jovan Kaneo church, an important pilgrimage place. Breathtaking setting on a plateau over Ohrid Lake and Galicica mountain towering from behind. St.Naum monaster (one of the most beautiful monasteries in Macedonia) was founded in the 910 by St.Naum, but the present-day church was built in the 16th c. Of the original church just the side chapel with the grave of St.Naum still stands), gallery of exclusive icons, museums, workshops for hand-made paper, woodcarving and famous Ohrid pearls, are among hundreds sites for tourists worth to visit. There is also a strong Roman connection to the city, since Lychnidos was along the famous route Via Egnatia, build in the 2nd century B.C., connecting the Adriatic and Aegean sea. Considering the number of churches located in the Old town (365 churches according to the immemorial legend, for local people to celebrate every single day by honouring another saint), Ohrid is called “the Balkan Jerusalem”, successfully playing the role as the biggest pilgrimage spot for all the Orthodox Christians in the world.
Today Ohrid is a cultural, spiritual and tourist centre. And finally, as the crowning glory of its values, Ohrid and Lake Ohrid have been named a world cultural and natural heritage listed city under the protection of UNESCO since 1980.
Lake Ohrid is one of Europe’s deepest and according to most experts the oldest lake in Europe. The importance of the lake was further emphasized when it was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1979. Feel Ohrid for once in your life and you already know why you will return. For more information visit www.ohridinfo.mk
Festival program will be held on the main square in Ohrid.
Program
Wednesday 23 May 2012
12.00.Arrival in Ohrid, , hotel accommodation, starting with lunch, free activities
Thursday 24 May 2012
09.00 -11.00 Breakfast,
11.00 -17.00 Ohrid sightseeing – visiting cultural monuments (Samoil fortress, Antique theatre, Plaosnik, St. Kaneo church …)
18.00. Ensembles parade (old town)
20.00. Official opening of the festival on the main square in Ohrid
Friday 25 May 2012
11.00 Cruising with boat on Ohrid Lake and visit most famous tourist resort St.Naum monastery, culture place, –(price 5 euros per person, lunch packet on the boat) or cruising on the lake ,
21.00. Social events and exchange presents
Saturday 26 May 2012
10.00. Breakfast in hotel and free activities,
20.00 Second festival evening and award at gala evening for all participants
Sunday 27 May 2012
Breakfast and departure of the participants
Related video:
Vodarki - Ansambl "MAKEDONKA" - Ohrid 2009
Tresenica - Ansambl "MAKEDONKA" - Ohrid 2009
Komitsko - Ansambl "MAKEDONKA" - Ohrid 2009
Macedonian Folk Dance (Ohrid, Macedonia) Narodno Oro
Zhensko Pushteno - KUD Gerdan - Macedonian Folk Dance
Zhetvarka - KUD Gerdan - Macedonian Folk Songs and Dances
The beautiful Macedonian cities of Ohrid,Bitola and Skopje
Ansambl Makedonka,Ohrid, Macedonia, Masko oro
Kaval, Ohrid, Macedonia