Lefkas International Folklore Festival

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Organisers

• Municipality of Lefkadawww.lefkada.gov.gr

• Lefkas Cultural Centerwww.lefkasculturalcenter.gr

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Message from the Organising Committee

Dear Friends, We invite you to take part in one of the most important festivals

in Europe with history of 51 years. This is the “Lefkas International Folklore Festival “, a 10 day celebration of culture and youth that takes place every August on the island of Lefkada in the Ionian Sea in Greece.

Inside this brochure you will find all the necessary information of

the event as well as a cultural and touristic program which can be combined with your staying .

We hope to see you in our event and we will be waiting for your applications.

The Festival Committee

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Welcome to Lefkada

The island

Lefkada is the fourth largest island in the Ionian Sea and the smallest prefecture of Greece. It lies between Corfu and Kefalonia islands and has a population of 23.000 inhabitants. It boasts beautiful seaside hamlets and picturesque mountain villages. A floating bridge connects it to the mainland, something that has given it the name “the mainland island”. The island was named after the Lefkata cape, located at the southernmost point of the island. Lefkas is 5hrs drive from Athens and 5hrs from Thessaloniki.

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The festival Since its establishment in 1962, the Lefkas International Folklore Festival has promoted the message of peace, friendship and brotherhood among nations worldwide through its cultural and traditional folk forms in the art of music and dance. In the festival folk dance groups from the five continents reinforce, through their performances, the message of friendship, communication and cooperation. More than 600 groups have represented the folklore of almost 150 countries at the festival until today.

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The festival takes place during the third week of August ,from one Sunday to the other, commencing with the great parade of peace and friendship, the evening's ceremony marking the opening night (on that first Sunday night) with a very short appearance by all dance groups. During the week we have their full appearances and performances by each group and finally reaching the peak on the second Sunday with the majestic ending ceremony to include the exchange of gifts and the final dance of peace on stage by all groups. The participation of the folk groups in the Lefkas International Folklore Festival is the opportunity for thousands native and foreign visitors of the island to get acquainted with, to appreciate and enjoy the folk art and cultural heritage of other countries.

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-The host of the festival is Mr Alexis Kostalas, famous TV presenter.

- Groups are allowed to set up souvenir shops at the Open Theater.

-The stage is around 180sqm (18X10 m) and the theater has 1.000 seats.-There are dressing rooms for the dancers.-The Theater is fully equipped and there is a light and sound enginneer.

-CONTESTThe festival gives 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize (the results and awards are given at the closing ceremony)

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Conditions

1. The group must comprise of no more than 30 participants including leaders, musicians and drivers. The 30 people must include anyone associated with the group attending the festival.

2. Dancers must be over 15 years of age.

3. The group must perform only traditional dances of the country represented.

4. It will perform on stage and street activities.

5. The group must be accompanied with live orchestra with traditional musical instruments. Live music is required.

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6. The group has to take part in the great parade of friendship of people on the first Sunday at 19.00pm.

7. a. The group has to give 2 five minute short representative dance performances at 21.00 in the opening and closing night . Please send us music for opening and closing ceremony so that we can arrange the program. b. The group has to exchange one gift with the Mayor in the closing ceremony

8. The group has to appear 2 times of 20 – 30 min different programs (on different days) during the one week duration of the festival in the city of Lefkas at the Open Theater, and 3 appearances in other places of the island in shows of 30-50 minutes. Groups need to prepare different program for every show.

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9. Arrival - DepartureThe groups coming by bus must be in Lefkas on Saturday before the festival.The groups coming by air either on Friday or Saturday before the festival.

The group will stay in Lefkas from the day of its arrival until Monday after breakfast.

10. TransportationIf the group is coming by air the Festival arranges and covers transportation by coach to Lefkas with return to the airport (Athens or Thessaloniki International Airports). Also transport is organised by the Igoumenitsa Port.

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Thessaloniki Airport | SKG Airport | Greece

11. AccommodationThe group will stay in specially arranged school buildings. There are 8-10 beds in each room (males and females in separate rooms). Sheets and pillows are provided. Towels are not provided.

12. MealsThe festival offers breakfast and dinner every day in local restaurants with international and traditional cuisine. For lunch a small snack is given.

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13. LanguageThe language of the Festival is English and Greek. Each group will be provided with an interpreter and a guide.

14. Health CoverageThe Festival offers first aid and normal medical care. Consequently it is strongly suggested that health insurance coverage be arranged for all group members before travelling to the Festival.

15.Festival Rights1.The Festival reserves the right to broadcast the festival performances partly or entirely without any payments to the group 2.The Festival may change the contents and programs, and the groups will be informed on time!

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Festival Schedule

1st Sunday Time 11.00Welcoming reception at the Hall of the Cultural Center.All group leaders with one couple dressed in traditional costume Time 14.00LunchTime 18.00Street paradeTime 21.00Opening ceremonyGroups are expected to perform one magnificent dance (solos and songs are not allowed).

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Monday – Saturday

During the day the groups are free. ----------------------------------Breakfast is served in local cafés from 8.00 until 11.00.A snack is distributed at around 14.00.Dinner is served from 18.30-20.00 every day in local restaurants.-----------------------------------After dinner groups perform at the Open Theater or other places of the island .-------------------------------------Within the week of the festival groups have one day-off with no performance at all.

Last Sunday

All groups gather at the Open Theater at around 20.30 for the Closing ceremony.

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Proposed ActivitiesDuring the day the members of the participating groups are free because the

performances are scheduled for late in the afternoon. The island offers numerous free time activities. The cost is vey small (it is not covered by the

Festival).

Activities for group members :

- Wander around the town- Shopping - Sightseeing (museums, art gallery)- Cycling (rent a bike)- Explore mountainous Lefkada by bus (catch local buses)- Night life

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Swimming

Water sports

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Day cruise around the islands(prices for group members start from 12 euros)

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Selection process

Before an invitation is issued, the Festival Committee must

review as much of the following information about your

group as you are able to provide:

-group biography

-a listing of festivals in which your group has participated -

- photographs,

-brochures,

-DVDs or videos,

- CDs,

- newspaper or magazine articles about your group,

- letters of reference and any other information about your

group that you have.

- If your group has a website or YouTube channel, please

provide the site address so that we may review that also.

After your material is received, the Festival Committee will

review them and make a decision as to whether your

group will be issued an invitation to participate in Lefkas

International Folklore Festival.

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Info

For information and any questions you may have please contact :

Ioanna FilippaCultural Centre of the Municipality of Lefkada

1, Aggelou Sikelianou & Nikou Svoronou str, 31100 Lefkada Tel no: 2645026635, 26711, Fax 2645026715 Email: lefkasf@otenet.gr,

WebSite: www.lefkasculturalcenter.gr

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Festival Partners

1.Talija Art Co2.Russian State Folk Art Center3.EarthDancers Festival4.Festival of Kiparissia

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