Under the auspices of the mayor of Sofia – Oborishte

With the support of The Ministry of Education of the Embassy of Spain

Institute Cervantes -Sofia National Palace of Culture -Sofia

International Festival “ABANICO”– Festival of popular music and dance in Sofia, Bulgaria. The Festival organize by the MA “Artvoices” in Sofia, under the auspices of the Department of Education of the Embassy of Spain and the mayor of Sofia.

GOALS OF THE COMPETITION

1. The festival is organized by the Musical Agency “Artvoices” Sofia.

2. To show all art as a powerful opportunity for communication between people

3. To build international contacts between many diferents countres from all the world.

Conditions of participation in the festival

Festival will take place in a beautiful capital of Bulgaria- Sofia, where singers and dancers, musicians – pianists, guitarists, violinist, and ext. from different countries will participate in. / by their choice – online or live
The contest will be by order from 5.04 Category Instrumental and Classic /6-7.04 , for all age categories SINGING AND DANCE. The Award Ceremony will be in Sofia at the afternoon of Sunday, 7 of April.

NOMINATIONS 

Choreographic Art (Groups, collectives, ensembles, show-entertainers, soloists, etc.)

• Classical Dance, Ballroom Dance, Modern Dance (Jazz, Modern, Neoclassical, etc.), National Dance (Folk Dance), Pop Dance, Social Dances (Swing, Argentine tango, Zoug, Kizomba, Bachata, Salsa, Samba, Merengue, Reggaeton, Hustle, etc.)., Mixed styles of Dance

Instrumental Music (Ensembles, Orchestras, Quartettes, Trios, Duettes and individual performers)

• Modern Music, Pop Music, National Music, Classical Music, Ethnical Music, etc.

Vocal (Choirs, Ensembles of different styles of execution, Quartettes, Trios, Duettes and Soloists)

• Modern, National, Academic, Church choirs, Pop, Jazz, Rock, Rap, etc.

Children, adult creative groups and individual performers with no age limit can take part in the Festival.

AGE CATEGORIES OF PARTICIPANTS

• under 8 years old;
• 9-12 years old;
• 13-15 years old;
• 16-18 years old;
• 19 years old and more – no limit

* /The age of the contestant on March 25th, 2025 the day of the festival determines the age category of the competition/;

Conditions of participation in the festival.

• For the competition, the participants must prepare two acts accompanied by background music (max. 4 minutes each). No limit for the Online participation.
• All the songs are performed with backing tracks/instrumentals/.Possible to use live instruments/please, inform us earlier before the contest. /
• The sound engineer and the organizers of the festival would not be held responsible for any problems with backing tracks.
• All contestants will be given time to rehearse on stage. The rehearsal time allocated to each contestant will be only 1 minute.
• Every participant will perform a song of their choice, by Spanish language, or in any romance language such as French, Portuguese, Italian or Romanian. Other languages could be accepted too.
• For guitarists, pianists, violinists and other musicians and dancers is obligatory to play/dance music from Spanish, French, Italian, Romanian and Portuguese or brazilian authors or with Spanish character and motives program until 8 minutes
• Participants of a collective group performing separately are considered as a separate participant.
• 14 days prior to the competition start, participants should send the background music of the acts to the electronic address: info@monolit.es. Life background music is allowed.
• The Organizing Committee reserves the right to use and distribute audio, video clips and other kind of production, produced during the competition activities.
• Team leaders are responsible for the members of the group during the period of mass Festival events and holiday.

The main directions of the contest:

Every participant will perform a song by their choice, by Spanish language, or in any romance language as French , portugués , Italian or Romanian. Other languages could be accepted too.
For guitarists, pianists, violinists and other musicians and dancers is obligatory to play/dance music from Spanish, French, Italian, Romanian and Portuguese or Brazilian authors or with Spanish character and motives program until 8 minutes

Prizes and awards of the festival

11 contests:

• the best performance of Spanish music, song
• the best performance of French song
• the best performance of Italian song
• the best performance of Romanian song
• the best performance of Portuguese song
• the best performance of Classic
• the best performance of Jazz
• the best performance of Folklore
• the best performance Teacher(student)/My music family
• the best performance Instrumental category
• the best dance performance

AWARDS :

• Grand Prix “ Abanico ” and Grand Prix “ Abanico “ Junior – one in the contest /singers and dancers, musicians/
• Grand Prix “ Abanico the best performance of Spanish song and dance
• Grand Prix “ Abanico the best preformance of French song and dance
• Grand Prix “ Abanico the best performance of Italian song and dance
• Grand Prix “ Abanico the best performance of Romanian song and dance
• Grand Prix “ Abanico the best performance of Portugalian song and dance
• Grand Prix “ Abanico the best performance of Classic song and dance
• Grand Prix “ Abanico the best performance of Jazz & Folklore song and dance

* All participants will receive certificates, cups and medals of participation.
Prizes and awards of the festival are:
Originally designed trophies for the first, second and third place in each category.

There will be first Diploma awards also.

1 hour free studio recording in studio in Sofia
Winners of the competition are awarded with corresponding certificates, confirming the title.


Sponsors have the right to set up additional prizes and awards independently from the rewarding jury.

Festival jury

1.The organizational committee of the competition chooses the members of the international jury.


2.The jury rates the performances of the competition by voting secretly on a scale of 10 to 120.

3.The winner of the Grand Prix take a part of the jury or in the concerts in the next competition next year like guest.

4. Judges will not be allowed to judge contestants from their country

Main evaluation criteria

• Stage presence and technicality
• Compositional structure of performance
• Artistry, disclosure of the artistic image, scenic culture
• Level of difficulty of executive performance (dynamics, emotions)
• Compliance with the performance capabilities of the repertoire and artists age category
• Artistry, facial expressions, disclosure of the artistic image
• Creative individuality (for soloists)
• Originality of the performance

Participation in competition/ accommodation, hotel 3***:

(Hotel Rila /in the center,heart of the city/ BB –BED& breakfast near the Main Street with many restaurants with good food, historical places, near Presidency. Will be organized discount 10% at the restaurants near the hotel.)

• Accommodation in 3/4 room – 195 €/person (additional day – 60 €/person)
• Accommodation in double room – 205 €/person (additional day – 65 €/person)
• Accommodation in single room – 250 €/person (additional day – 80 €/person)

Additional payment for participants:

• Soloists: 65€, for additional category – 35€
• Duets, small groups (3-5 people): 85€
• Participation in additional category: 130€

All participants and guests will be provided with:

• Stay in a 3 stars hotel in double-, triple- rooms (3 nights/4 days).
• Excursion and sightseeing in Sofia
• Prizes, souvenirs and gifts
• International Diplomas
• Diplomas and gifts from the city
• An official invitation
• Groups of 25 persons: One group leader free of charge!
• Opportunity to visit the best places in Bulgary (a big spectrum of excursions is offered for an additional payment)
• Entrances to Gala Concert
• Transfers from the hotel to the stage
• One free lesson of salsa or Bulgarian dance and Party
• Support our hostess during the festival

Attention:
The price doesn’t include tourist tax!

Additional payments for everyone:

• Visa
• Medical insurance
• Transport charges
• Transfer Airport – Airport. If you wish, we can arrange a transfer for an additional payment. Participants arriving separately should pay separately.

HOW TO REGISTER?

• 1. to download the competition application form
• 2. to fill it out and to send it to our e-mail address: info@monolitfestivals.com