XI INTERNATIONAL FOLK
CONTEST-FESTIVAL “THE FLOWER OF THE SUN” 2027
CONTEST-FESTIVAL REGULATIONS
For international contestants
PREAMBLE
AIMS OF THE CONTEST-FESTIVAL
• To contribute to the preservation, promotion and transmission of traditional culture and intangible cultural heritage to younger generations, ensuring the continuity of living traditions.
• To promote high artistic standards in folklore performance, in-depth knowledge of traditional culture and its responsible interpretation.
• To encourage dialogue between different nations and cultures, mutual understanding, respect for cultural diversity and lasting international relations.
• To encourage public interest in and understanding of Lithuanian and other nations’ traditional cultures and promote their living traditions.
• To increase access to high-quality international cultural events in Šiauliai and the Northern Lithuania region.
• To increase the cultural visibility and attractiveness of Šiauliai and the surrounding region in Lithuania and internationally.
• To strengthen the cultural identity, sense of community and pride of the people of Šiauliai and the surrounding region.
• To encourage volunteering, community engagement and active participation in cultural activities.
I. GENERAL PROVISIONS
1. The XI International Folk Contest-Festival “The Flower of the Sun” 2027 is organized by the association “Balts’ Centre” and the Organizing Committee appointed by the association and headed by the Festival Director.
2. Festival office: Vytautas St. 84, 76285 Šiauliai, Lithuania, tel.: +370 685 33142, e-mail: saulesziedasfestival@gmail.com, web: www.saulesziedas.lt
3. XI International Folk Contest-Festival “The Flower of the Sun” 2027 will be held on 2-6 July 2027 in Šiauliai and Šiauliai region (Lithuania).
II. PARTICIPANTS, APPLICATION AND SELECTION
4. Groups and soloists wishing to participate in the Contest-Festival must complete the online application form available at saulesziedas.lt by 1 February 2027.
5. The Organizing Committee will evaluate the submitted application materials and select the groups and soloists to participate in the Contest-Festival. Applicants will be informed of the selection results by e-mail by 15 February 2027.
6. The participants (including the drivers, officials etc.) will have to pay their registration fee of 38 Euros per person by 1st June 2027.* The participation fee is non-refundable.
*The Organizing Committee reserves the right to reduce or exempt groups from participation fees in exceptional cases.
7. Selected international participants, officials and drivers will be provided with free accommodation in student dormitories and three meals per day for the duration of the Festival.
8. The total number of members in one group may not exceed 32, including up to two officials and two coach drivers. A maximum of two coach drivers per group is permitted.
9. The official arrival day is 1 July 2027, and the official departure day is 7 July 2027. Participants should plan their travel accordingly.*
*International groups are also welcome to combine their visit to Lithuania with the International Folk Festival BALTICA 2027, which will take place on 7–11 July 2027, immediately after “The Flower of the Sun” Contest-Festival.
10. The organizers will provide transfers for participating groups and soloists arriving by air from Riga International Airport (RIX), Vilnius International Airport (VNO) or Kaunas International Airport (KUN) to Šiauliai and back. Transfers must be arranged with the organizers in advance and are provided according to the official arrival and departure schedule.*
*Other travel expenses will be covered by the group/soloist.
11. Participants are responsible for having valid health/travel insurance covering the entire period of their stay in Lithuania.
12. Each participating group will have 1-2 volunteer-guides for the duration of the Festival to help navigate the city and festival programme.
III. CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
13. Only participants who have reached the age of 17 by 2 July 2027 may take part in the Contest.
14. Participants must follow the programme schedule agreed with the organizers.
15. Participation in the official Contest-Festival programme prepared by the organizers — including concerts, parades, educational activities and other events — is considered an integral part of participation in the Festival and is not subject to additional payment.
16. Each ensemble must prepare a concert programme of up to 30 minutes for performance on the Festival’s main stage.
17. Groups must be prepared to demonstrate and teach traditional dances, folk games and other participatory activities from their country or region, actively involving the audience and other Festival participants. These activities will take place in areas designated by the organizers and may be held off stage. The activity should last at least 30 minutes.
18. Groups may be asked to prepare 1–2 suitable pieces for a Festival concert in the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul.
19. All music must be performed live. Recorded music and electronic musical instruments are not permitted during the Contest and Festival concerts.
20. During the performances the participants will have to wear national costumes.
21. Photography, video recording and audio recording may take place during the Contest-Festival events. By participating in the Contest-Festival, participants agree that images and recordings of them and their performances captured during the events may be used without compensation for documentation, archiving, informational, publicity and promotional purposes on the Festival website, social media, in the media, publications and other Festival communications.
IV. CATEGORIES AND REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CONTEST
I Category: TRADITIONAL FOLK DANCE GROUPS
• Number of dancers: 8 to 20. Plus, up to 12 others, including musicians/flag bearers.
• Duration of the contest performance: up to 12 min. total.
• At least two dances, performed in the traditional style of the participant’s country or region. The sources of origin should be indicated in the application.
• Musicians will be mic’ed (microphones will be provided).
II Category: CHOREOGRAPHED ARRANGEMENTS OF FOLK DANCES
• Number of dancers allowed: 8 to 20. Plus, up to 12 others, including musicians/flag bearers.
• Duration of the contest performance: up to 12 min. total.
• At least two choreographed dances or one dance composition. The authors of music/arrangement and choreography should be indicated in the application.
• Musicians will be mic’ed (microphones will be provided).
III Category: INSTRUMENTAL FOLK MUSIC ENSEMBLES
• Number of musicians allowed: 3 to 12.
• Duration of the contest performance: up to 7 min. total.
• The ensembles should perform the instrumental traditional music of their country or region. The sources of the performed pieces should be indicated in the application.
• Contest programme will not be mic’ed (acoustic performance).
IV Category: ENSEMBLES OF TRADITIONAL SINGING
• Number of singers allowed: 3 to 16.
• Duration of the contest performance: up to 7 min. total.
• Two traditional songs, sung in one or more voices in the traditional style of the participants’ country or region.
• The instrumental accompaniment is allowed if it is characteristic of the tradition. Piano accompaniment is not permitted.
• The performance of the accompanists will not be evaluated by the jury or awarded.
• The sources of the songs should be indicated in the application.
• Contest programme will not be mic’ed (acoustic performance).
V Category: INSTRUMENTAL SOLO
• Duration of the contest performance: up to 7 min. total.
• Traditional music from the participant’s country or region must be performed by a single soloist on one or more traditional instruments, in the traditional style of the participant’s country or region. Other musicians may not accompany the soloist.
• The sources of the pieces should be indicated in the application.
• Contest programme will not be mic’ed (acoustic performance).
VI Category: FOLKSONG SOLO
• Duration of the contest performance: up to 7 min. total.
• Two traditional songs must be performed in the traditional style of the participant’s country or region.
• Accompaniment is allowed if it is characteristic of the tradition. Piano accompaniment is not permitted. The soloist may accompany himself/herself. The performance of the accompanists will not be evaluated by the jury or awarded. The sources of the songs should be indicated in the application.
• Contest programme will not be mic’ed (acoustic performance).
V. EVALUATION AND AWARDS
22. The International Jury of the Contest will be formed by the organizers of the Festival according to the recommendations of the FIDAF and IOV.
23. Jury decisions are final and indisputable.
24. 1st place winners in each category will receive a Festival commemorative prize, diploma and cash prize as follows:
25. 2nd and 3rd place winners will receive commemorative prizes and laureate diplomas.
26. The Grand Prix (1,500 €) will be awarded to the group demonstrating the most outstanding overall artistic performance in both the Contest and the Festival programme. The award is granted by the organizers, taking into account the recommendations of the International Jury.
27. Other prizes may be presented by the organizers, sponsors and and friends of the Festival.
VI. FINAL PROVISIONS
28. Participants must comply with the laws of the Republic of Lithuania, the internal rules of Festival venues and accommodation facilities, applicable safety requirements, and lawful instructions given by the organizers and their designated coordinators.
29. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to modify contest categories, cash prizes and other awards if fewer than five applications are received in a particular category. Participants will be informed of any such changes by 1 June 2027.
30. The organizers reserve the right to amend these Regulations where objectively necessary. Registered participants will be informed of any substantial changes by e-mail using the address provided in their application.
31. The organizers shall not be held liable for changes to the Contest-Festival programme, relocation or cancellation of events caused by circumstances beyond their reasonable control (force majeure).
31.1. In such circumstances, the organizers reserve the right to change the dates, programme, venues or other conditions of participation, or to cancel part or all of the Festival. Registered participants will be informed of any substantial changes as early as reasonably possible.
31.2. The organizers shall not reimburse participants for travel, accommodation or other expenses incurred in connection with participation in the Contest-Festival as a result of such circumstances.