International CAPPADOCIAFolk Dance and Music Festival 02 – 06 August 2024 Cappadocia, Turkey

Application deadline: 15 January 2024

With pleasure we INVITE you (Folk and Choral groups, orchestras, majorette teams), (children, youth and adults groups) to participate on first“InternationalCAPPADOCIA Folk Dance and Music festival”02 – 06 August2024 Cappadocia, Turkey.

This festival is the perfect occasion for different groups from various countries to gather together so that they could express their culture and nation through dances, music and interesting national costumes.

Cappadocia is famous for the unique rock formations and amazing hot air ballooning opportunities, the otherworldly landscapes of Cappadocia are one of Turkey’s most popular natural wonders. Unusual honeycombed boulders rise from the plateau of Central Anatolia and have, over the centuries, served as the backdrop for a history equally as fascinating. The region was once the heartland of the Hittite Empire and later gave rise to some of Christianity’s earliest philosophers. Cappadocia is now a prime tourist destination and one of the best places to visit in Turkey.

It is interesting to know that three to four million years ago a series of volcanic eruptions shook the Central Anatolian area, forming what we now know as the Cappadocia fairies or ‘Cotton Castles’.The name Cappadocia derives from the Persian word Katpaktukya, which means ‘the land of beautiful horses’ for in ancient times the region was known for its equine offering. Horses are still important to the locals who call Cappadocia home and they also offer an alternative mode of transport for visitors.

There are a number of underground cities in Cappadocia, some connected by a network of tunnels. These subterranean settlements were made possible thanks to the pliability of the soft rock. Many are open to visitors, however, a lot of the land in the area is private property.

There are as many as 600 churches carved from the soft Cappadocian rock, and possibly many more that have not yet been discovered. These churches date back to Medieval times and display beautifully painted frescoes, which have retained an amazing amount of colour and detail over the centuries. Some painted figures have had their eyes scratched out by superstitious locals afraid of the Evil Eye.

The Göreme Open-Air Museum encompasses the best-known religious complexes in the area. Alongside the other rock sites of Cappadocia, it was enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.

The region of Cappadocia is a large grape producer and it’s believed that wine-making has a long history here. There’s a number of wine-tasting shops where visitors can sample the goods and in recent years wines from the region have won international awards.

All this beauties in this magnificent Turkish city and lot of fun is waiting for you on our festival. Come and join the best festival experience ever. Travel and dance with us in Cappadocia, Turkey…

Festival Program:

02 August 2024

• 00 Arriving in Cappadocia, hotel accommodation after the meeting with the festival representatives and free time
• 00 – 20.00 Diner in hotel
• 00 Welcome reception with the leaders of the groups

03 August 2024

• 00 – 10.00 Breakfast
• 00 – 15.00 Göreme sightseeing with organized local tour guide and Ballon Tour(optional or free time)
• 30 – 18.30 Diner in hotel
• 30 Ensemble parade
• 00 Official festival evening
• Welcome Speech
• Open air performance
• Singing and dancing together

04 August 2024

• 00 – 10.00 Breakfast
• 00 – 18.00 Red Tour Route: Uchisar Castle, Goreme Open air Museu, Love Valley, Avanos and Handicraft Workshops, Pasabag Historical Site, Devrent (Imagination) Valley, Urgup Fairy Chimneys (optional or free time)
• 30 – 18.30 Diner in hotel
• 0 Second festival evening in the square of the city

05 August 2024

• 00 – 10.00 Breakfast
• 30 – 17.30 Green tour route: Underground city, Goreme Panorama,Ihlara Valley, Bel’s’rma, Yaprakhisar Panorama, Selime Monastery, Pigeon Valley, Onyx Workshop (optional or free time)
• 00 – 20.00 Diner in hotel
• 00 Closing ceremony of the festival – certificates and presents for ensembles by organizer, exchange presents between leaders of ensembles…

06 August 2024

• 00 – 10.00 Breakfast
• 00 Departure

General rules for participation:

• In the festival can participate folklore groups, orchestras, majorettes, modern dance groups, choirs and music bands from all over the world.
• Non-competitive sample of traditional and modern dances, choral groups, majorette teams, orchestras, brass bands festival.
• Ensemble should have prepared at least 2 dances, 10-15 minutes each with USB or orchestra.
• Folklore groups should take a flag of their country and minimum 4 gifts for the municipality visits and organizers.
• Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form. All filled in and signed applications will mean acceptance of the terms laid by the present regulation.
• The number of the participants are limited (only 3 groups from each country).
• Groups have tosend us short CV and few photos of the group by e-mail.
• Until 15^thof July 2024 each group should send the list of participants, name/surname, sex, date of birth and passport number.
• Folklore groups should have there own transport for arrival and departure.

Participation Fee:

• 125 Euro for 3HB per person (3 nights with 2 meals per day)
• 159 Euro for 4 HB per person (4 nights with 2 meals per day)

It covers hotel accommodation with 2 meals per day in 4* hotel Mihran Sultan Cappadocia.

• Addition day can be booked for 45 euro/person/day with half board service
• Groups of 25 persons: One group leader free of charge!

Participation Fee Includes:

• Participation in the festival concerts,
• Professional sound, stage and light equipment.
• Accommodation in 4* Hotels (3 bedded rooms, supplement for a double room is 7€/person/day, supplement for single room is double of the initial price),
• Half Board hotel accommodation

• Welcome cocktails with the leaders of the groups
• Souvenir and gift for each group
• Certificate for attendance
• Drinks during the performance (water)

Participation Fee does not include:

• Transport (for arrival and departure)
• Optional Tour Programs
• Insurance
• City tax
• What is not specified in the above mentioned “the fee includes”

Invitation letter will be provided if needed 

Any group willing to participate must submit an Application form.  
Approved groups pay in advance a 10% guarantee fee, which is to be deducted at the final payment.

Next payment of 20% for booking of accommodation needs to be sent to the organizer.

Rest of the sum will be paid before the beginning of the festival or upon arrival regarding the permission and agreement with organizers.

HURRY UP… THE NUMBER OF SEATS IS LIMITED!

Thank you for participating at the Folklore festival!