Applications for participation in the eleventh edition of the National Festival of Christmas and New Year's Songs in Haskovo are now open, which will be held from December 11 to 13, 2026.
!!!Deadline - September 30!!!
REGULATIONS:
1. The festival is not competitive.
2. The National Festival of Christmas and New Year's Songs is held every year. Up to 10 people from all over the country can participate in it, without restrictions on the type of composition /children's, youth, single, mixed or chamber/ and the age of the singers, who have submitted an application for participation by September 30. The participating choirs are determined after a selection by the organizers and will be notified by October 5.
3. The number of participants in choirs cannot exceed 35 /thirty-five/ singers + conductor, accompanist and driver. The number of accompanists is unlimited, but is announced with the application to be taken into account when making hotel reservations.
4. Each choir presents a program of up to 15 minutes, and it MUST include TWO Christmas or New Year's songs by a Bulgarian composer.
5. The program of each participating group must include a song by a Bulgarian composer, created especially for the competition, which is announced within the framework of the Festival by the organizers. The songs allowed to be performed in the festival concerts are determined by a committee composed of the conductors of the choirs approved for participation.
6. The works compete for the “Conductor’s Award” and the “Audience Award”, which will be awarded to the authors.
7. The choirs compete for the “Award for the best performance of a song created especially for the festival”, which is awarded by the Bulgarian Choir. One song can be performed by more than one group.
8. The song from the composer’s competition, which the choir has chosen to perform during the festival concerts, MAY also be performed during other participations of the groups. In such cases, it is MANDATORY to announce that the song was created specifically for the NATIONAL COMPETITION FOR AUTHORIZED CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S SONG - HASKOVO.
9. The accompaniment can be on a flash drive or piano. If another instrument is needed, it is provided by the participants.
10. For participation in the IV festival concert "Songs by the Christmas Tree", the choirs prepare three songs, and the accompaniment is mandatory on a flash drive. The organizers provide microphones.
11. All choirs learn the festival anthem - the song "Christmas has come", which is performed at the end of each concert by the choirs included in the concert. The score of the work will be provided by the organizers.
GENERAL TERMS AND FINANCING:
1. The costs of material, technical and stage equipment are borne by the organizers.
2. The organizers have the right to determine which of the choirs that have expressed their interest will participate in the festival. The order of applications is important!
3. The schedule for acoustic rehearsals is made by the organizers and is mandatory.
4. When financing the festival under a project by the Bulgarian National Choir or the Bulgarian Chamber Orchestra, the organizers cover ONE night for choristers, conductor, pianist and driver, ONLY if the choir is a collective member of the Bulgarian Choral Union and has paid its membership fee for the previous TWO years. THE ACCOMPANIERS PAY THEIR EXPENSES THEMSELVES!
5. Each choir will receive a diploma for participation and gifts.
6. Interested participants are provided with the opportunity to stay overnight and visit museum sites under preferential conditions, as well as an accompanying local person. The application for accommodation is considered valid only after payment of 30% of the total amount due. Payment is made by bank transfer, and the amount is deducted from the final payment. In case of refusal of participation by the choirs, the amount is NOT refundable.
7. Bank transfer details:
First Investment Bank AD, Haskovo branch
IBAN: BG43FINV91501216868620
FINVBGSF
Orpheus1977 Association
Reason: Christmas Festival - overnight stay
8. The choirs THEMSELVES organize the meals of the participants.
9. Travel expenses (transport, part of the overnight stay and food) are at the expense of the participants.
10. Participants must be insured for the duration of the Festival.
11. Group leaders are responsible for the members of their groups.
12. Participants are responsible for their costumes, props and personal belongings.
13. The organizers reserve the right for any kind of documentation, broadcasting, filming and distribution of the material, without paying any rights or compensation, as well as the right to change the status.
Recordings from the festival will be broadcast on local, regional and national television.
14. All recordings must be on a flash drive with good technical quality.
15. Applications for participation should be sent to the following address:
6300 Haskovo,
41 Bulgaria Blvd.
Youth Center
for Elena Cvetkova
or by email: koleda_fest@abv.bg
