Hemşin is a town and district of Rize in the Bleack Sea region of Turkey. The town is 57km from the city of Rize. The region is mainly rural and very attractive with its mountain valleys and elevated yaylas (plateau). Rize is the country's largest producer of tea. Native plants include: the Cherry (Turkish taflan or karayemiş), the fruit of which is an edible small dark plum which leaves a dark stain on the mouth and teeth; bilberry which are now being actively cultivated; and tea is not native of course but grows here very well and of the greatest pleasures in Rize is to enjoy a glass of the local brew made from mountain spring water. The region is very popular to make trekking and rafting. You may find more photos about the all district of Rize area in http://rize.resimleri.tv/index.php

CONDITIONS

We will provide

Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner included) accomodation in a school. The accomodation will be start in 17^th August 2008 with the dinner and finish 24^th August 2008 with breakfast (7 nights).

Trabzon Airport to/from festival place transfers for the groups coming by air and all transfers within and around Hemşin and Rize region for all groups.

Free excursions to the natural places nearby

A guide for each group speaking English.

A diploma and gift for each group

First aid and normal medical care (not including hospitilization for sickness or surgical treatment).

(We prefer groups if they perform accompaning by "bagpipe" !!!)

 

The group

should be maximum 35 persons with drivers.

should arrange International transportation.

 

should be ready to perform shows of 7, 15, 25 minutes.

should bring with you flag of your country.

The traditional live music and traditional costumes is a must,

shouldn't undertake other arrangements during the festival without agreement of the organization committee and should exactly the programme as defined by the organization committee. We, the organizers reserve the right to broadcast the festival performances partly or entirely without any payments to the group. 

HOW TO APPLY

If you would like to participate in this festival please send us the following information to the address given below.

Mustafa ÇAKAR

Salkim Sogut Cd.   Nadir Sk.  No: 12/10

06460 Dikmen - Ankara – TURKEY

The information we require about your group

Group Name, Contact person, address, phone & fax number, e-mail address

VCD, DVD  or other digital format (PAL system) compatible with PC (like mpeg, avi, divx, etc) Attention: Please don't send Video Cassete (VHS or Beta)

Brochures, photos, a short brief about the group and the dances

Our deadline for receiving  these materials is 15^th May 2008. The committee will decide 6-8 foreign groups within these applications.