4th International Cultural Festival Municipality of Dion-Olympus Pieria-Olympus Riviera GREECE

4th International Cultural Festival

Municipality of Dion-Olympus

Olympus Riviera

South Pieria - GREECE

Leptokarya - Platamonas

August 25th – August 30th 2022

Join the 4th International Cultural Festival and live a unique cultural experience in Municipality of Dion-Olympus, the divine land of ancient Greek Gods.

The Municipality of Dion – Olympus, in Pieria Region, and the mayor Vagelis Geroliolios, is welcoming you and your group to the “4th International Cultural Festival”, which will be held from 25th to 30th of August 2022, at the seaside towns of Leptokarya and Platamonas.

The festival is organised by the Municipality of Dion – Olympus in cooperation with “Folkway by Propantos, Event Planning Co”, and the “Open Ways, Culture and Travel Co”. This is the only one festival in the area/Municipality, which is officially organised by the local authorities and Greek local companies – associations with quality standards and great respect for tradition and culture.

The Municipality of Dion - Olympus, (90 km from Thessaloniki), is located at the foot of the famous mountain Olympus and on the shores of the Thermaikos Gulf of the blue Aegean Sea – Olympus Riviera. Mountain Olympus is the first National Park in Greece designated in 1938 and declared as a "Biosphere Reserve" by UNESCO in 1981. According to the mythology, the surrounding area was the land of the Twelve Greek Ancient Gods and Musses. The breathtaking scenery, pristine environment with the vivid alternations between blue and green, will excite you. The pleasant Mediterranean climate and hospitality of the people is a guarantee for a memorable stay in our municipality. It is an ideal tourist destination with archaeological, cultural, and environmental interest. Come and enjoy the Greek hospitality, the crystal blue sea and the bright Greek sun. The participants will also have the opportunity for sightseeing tour and for more specialised excursions such us: visit to an exhibition of “Traditional Products & Handicraft”, local events like wine tasting, traditional Greek cooking, traditional Greek dance lessons, demonstration of local history and customs.

Participants

Type of groups that can participate:

• Traditional folk-dance groups and folk song groups
• Choirs
• Classical or Marching Bands
• Majorettes/Orchestras

Conditions

• Number and age of participants is not limited. Number of participating groups is limited.
• Each group should bring a flag of their country and if available, a board/banner with the name of their group.
• The group should prepare a 15-minute program accompanied by their own orchestra or music on CD/FLASH.
• Participants, if possible, should provide some photos and videos with a brief history of the group. These materials will be used for promotional, publication and advertising purposes.
• The registration form must be sent by May 30th, 2022, to confirm participation. Once we receive your registration form, a confirmation will be sent to you along with payment instructions. To secure your entry, you are required to make a payment of only 60% of the total amount by June 10th, 2022. Upon receiving your payment, an official invitation letter will be sent to you. The balance must be paid, in cash, on the day of your arrival in Pieria or 15 days prior via bank transfer.

Registration Fee-Accommodation

1. Participation: 30 € per person (Does not include accommodation)
2. Full Package, participation and accommodation:

162 € per person in 1 * and 2** hotels.

194 € per person in 3 *** hotels.

The full package includes:

• 6 days (5 nights), half board (breakfast and dinner in triple/quad rooms) in selected quality hotels by the seaside of Pieria - Olympus Riviera in Leptokarya, Platamonas, Skotina, Olympic Beach.
• Participation in the Festival.
• Certificates, memorial gifts, photos, video.
• Traditional Greek Party and Greek dance lessons exclusively for all the participated groups.
• Leader’s meeting (coffee –gifts – round table).
• Local delicacies and refreshments will be served during the performances.
• For every 25 participants, one person is free of charge.

The participation fee DOES NOT include:

• Additional days. The costs for extra stay are:
• 32€ per person, per day in 1-2** hotels (half board in triple rooms).
• 37€ per person, per day in 3*** hotels
• *There is also the possibility for fewer nights’ accommodation.
• Accommodation in double rooms, in case of availability, is an additional 6€ to 9 €/ person / day.
• Optional Tours. Seasonal prices will be fixed according to the number of participants. Daily tours will be available at your convenience and a special list of them will be send to you one month before arrival.
• First aid and emergency support will be provided, but medical services must be covered by the group. The participant’s safety is his/her personal responsibility. Groups are advised to have Medical Insurance Coverage prior to departure from their home countries.

Safe Stay

The event will be held in compliance with all precautionary measures in accordance with the requirements of the Ministry of Health. We must also underline that all the hotels are operating under the strict rules and protocols for preventing Covid19.

We really hope that this will not be necessary and the difficult situation with Covid 19 will not exist and will be a bad memory.

Itinerary

25/8/2022

• Day of arrival - Check in at hotel from 02:00 p.m. Α representative of the organisers will meet you and give you a detailed schedule and all information’s needed.
• A person in charge will be provided to each group.
• Free time for optional activities like swimming, sports, shopping, clubbing.
• Dinner.
• Any remaining balance must be paid this day in cash.

26/8/2022:

• Breakfast. Free day, from morning to noon, for a rest and optional activities. Optional specialised excursion: Visit to a landmark venue for tasting ouzo, tsipouro, wine accompanied by a lovely meal with local products.
• 20:30: Experience the Greek way of parties (glenti). A welcome party with traditional Greek and European music, traditional dance lessons and gifts will be offered for free to the participated groups by the “PROPANTOS – FOLKWAY” events company. Each group will have the opportunity to dance with the other groups their own dances, accompanied by their musicians. Dinner with drinks and local delicacies will be served at the party place.

27/8/2022:

• Breakfast. Free day, from morning to noon. Optional meeting and dance workshop with local Greek folk dance or music group at – on request, or Optional excursion (Sightseeing).
• Midday meal.
• 7:00 p.m.: Transfer from the hotel to the festival venue. You must be dressed in your traditional costumes. Gifts will be offered to the groups by the Municipality of Dion – Olympus before the performance. During the performance refreshments will be served.

28/8/2022:

• Breakfast. Free day, from morning to noon. Optional excursion (Cruise to the beautiful Central and South Pieria coastline).
• Midday meal.
• 7:00 p.m.: Transfer from the hotel to the festival venue. You must be dressed in your traditional costumes. Gifts will be offered to the groups by the Municipality of Dion – Olympus before the performance. During the performance refreshments will be served.

29/8/2022:

• Breakfast.
• 10:00 a.m.: Official meeting of groups leaders with representatives of the local authorities and the Organisers (Coffee, drink and local delicacies will be served) –
• The rest of the day is free for rest, shopping, swimming or Optional activities like an excursion in Pieria’s sightseeing (local tour visiting the most update and hip places for locals) organised by our office.
• Dinner

30/8/2022:

• Breakfast - Departure of the groups.

Special Notes

• v Certificates of participation will be given to each participant.
• v Official invitation letter and other needed documents will be provided.
• v The organisers reserve the right to alter or change the program, if needed, there will be a prior notification.
• v Transfer and optional excursions offer, and booking can be given after request from the organiser.

Optional Excursions

• v Litochoro Town and Hiking on Mt. Olympus
• v Cruise to the amazing coastline of Olympus Riviera
• v City of Thessaloniki
• v Islands Skiathos and Skopelos
• v Meteora (Monasteries)
• v Archaeological sites of Dion and Vergina
• v Traditional Greek villages

Few Words for “FOLKWAY” by PROPANTOS & OPEN WAYS culture & travel

• “Propantos”, is a Greek c