DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 20.11.2023

PLACE: PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC

The first stars of the "PRAGUE STARS" began to shine on Prague’s cultural sky in 2005. "PRAGUE STARS" is a prestigious international art festival and competition, which is held in Prague twice a year: in late March and early November. A festival is an important event in the cultural life of Prague with high recognition and wide geography of the participating countries. Famous Czech and foreign cultural and art workers are invited as honored members of the international jury.

The main message of the 35th International Folklore, Dance and Music Festival, and Competition "PRAGUE STARS" is the search for new talents, "Prague's stars" among children and youth ensembles and soloists, establishment of international friendly and creative contacts, enrichment of the multinational culture on the basis of mutual respect for the cultural traditions of all the countries and nations of the world, popularization the children’s and youth creative work, sharing experiences and creative achievements of participants from different countries, improvement of professional skills and qualifications of teachers and leaders.

Participation in the art festival "PRAGUE STARS" gives an opportunity to perform in the best concert halls of Prague and to demonstrate creative results to the audience in Prague! The brightest stars of Prague take part in the GALA CONCERT OF THE PRAGUE STARS WINNERS!

FESTIVAL PROGRAM:

 1^st day - 14.12.2023 – arrival to Prague, self-transportation to the hotel, check-in at the hotel (after 15:00 p.m.), and accommodation. Organizing meetings for art directors, group leaders, teachers, and choreographers with the members of the organizing Committee. Dinner in the hotel. Overnight in Prague.

2^nd day - 15.12.2023 – breakfast at the hotel. For organized groups (more than 40 persons) guided walking sightseeing tour “PRAGUE GRAND CITY TOUR” around the historical center of PRAGUE CASTLE and OLD TOWN: Royal Palace, St. Vitus
Cathedral, St. George Monastery, Golden Lane, medieval Charles Bridge, Old Town Square surrounded by Old Town Hall with its famous Astronomical Clock, Tyn and St. Nicholas Churches, Wenceslas Square with St. Wenceslas statue and the National Museum (duration – 3,5 hrs).
Transportation from hotel to the PRAGUE city center and back is not included!
Optional: in the evening – Evening Boat Cruise on the Vltava river (20 EURO per person)

3^rd day - 16.12.2023– breakfast at the hotel. FESTIVAL DAY PROGRAMME according competitive disciplines: stage testing, sound check, general
rehearsal.
OPENING CEREMONY, performances of the participants.
GALA CONCERT of WINNERS and AWARDING CEREMONY.
Return to the hotel. Dinner in the hotel.
Overnight in Prague.
Transportation services from hotel to CONCERT HALL and back are not included to the price!
**On demand it is possible to organize transportation from Hotel to Concert Hall and back by
contacting and sending official request to the Organizing Committee.

4^th day - 17.12.2023 – breakfast at the hotel. Check out from the hotel. The departure of the participants from Prague.

GENERAL INFORMATION, PERFORMANCE TIME LIMITS, AND TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

International Folklore, Dance and Music Festival, and Competition “PRAGUE STARS” is determined for soloists, ensembles, and groups of young performers from different countries of the world. The competitive program of the participants is approved by the Organizing Committee on the basis of applications received. The schedule of the competitive program for all participants is determined in advance and depends on the age of the participants. All participants should prepare a competitive program within the time limits specified for each competitive discipline:
4 minutes for soloists and duets, 6 minutes for small formations (up to 10 persons), and 9 minutes for ensembles and groups.

Participants of the International Folklore, Dance and Music Festival and Competitions “PRAGUE STARS” are divided into the following age categories:

MINI KIDS - from 6 to 8 years
CHILDREN - from 9 to 12 years
JUNIORS 1 - from 13 to 15 years
JUNIORS 2 - from 16 to 18 years
ADULTS 1 - from 19 years to 25 years
ADULTS 2 - from 26 years and older
SENIORS - from 50 years and older

The jury evaluates the skills of the participants during the competitive performance in each competitive discipline and in each age category in accordance with the 10-points evaluation systems. Results of the art competition and festival are being summed up by the end of all competitive performances.

AWARDS:
The Organizing Committee awards diplomas of participation, diplomas of Laureate of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd grades, Winner of the Grand Prix, and festival medals to all participants.

Ensembles and groups of 3 or more persons receive one big cup or trophy of the festival and Diploma, soloists and duets receive one small cup or trophy of the festival and Diploma.

The absolute Winner of the festival receives the Grand Prix of the festival and Diploma Grand Prix.
All teachers, choreographers, group and ensemble leaders also receive the Diplomas of Festival.

THE MAIN TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

All audio sound records for the competitive and festival programs must be sent to the Organizing Committee by email at least 2 weeks before and taken for participation on USB.

All audio sound records for the competitive program must be recorded only in the usual audio format. All audio sound records must be of high quality, with clean editing and cuts. The participants must inform the Organizer if the music stops and starts again after pause or contains silence within the musical composition.

THE DETAILED REGULATIONS OF ART FESTIVAL PLEASE ASK IN THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE.