V INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL-CONTEST
FROM GEORGIA WITH LOVE
LTD “TEAM TRAVEL” & LLC “GEO.FEST.GEORGIA”,
present the V International Festival-Contest:
“OLD TOWN PICTURES”
The festival-contest consists of two parts: Part I – the competition programme; Part II – the Gala Concert and Awards Ceremony. Both parts will take place at the State Drama Theatre in the city of Gurjaani, Kakheti Region.
During their stay in Georgia, participants will have the opportunity not only to take part in the festival, but also to visit many interesting and picturesque places of our country and discover Georgian history and culture.
Georgia – the “land of St. George”, intoxicated by sunshine, filled with light, dancing, singing, proud, loving and beloved…
A country of natural artistry and eternal celebration, sparkling temperament, warmth, vivid emotions, unrivalled hospitality and unforgettable impressions.
A country famous for its hospitality – “A guest is a messenger from God,” says a Georgian proverb.
For centuries, the Georgian people have developed traditions of hospitality. Love and boundless respect for guests have been passed down from generation to generation.
Georgia is hospitality, sea and mountains, gentle sunshine, architecture and traditions – it simply takes your breath away!
Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia and its heart. It is the country’s largest city and an important economic, political, transport, scientific, cultural and spiritual centre. The history of Tbilisi goes back many centuries; its former name was Tiflis. In 2008, the city celebrated its 1,550th anniversary.
The name Tbilisi means “warm spring”; in Georgian, “tbili” means “warm”. The name and origin of the city are associated with the warm sulphur springs located in the area.
Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century AD by Vakhtang Gorgasali. By the 6th century it had become the capital of Iberia, a kingdom whose territory was located in what is now Georgia. According to legend, while King Vakhtang Gorgasali was hunting, his falcon and its prey, a pheasant, fell into a hot spring. Having discovered the spring, the king ordered a city to be built on the site. Today, the legendary spring is located in Abanotubani, the oldest district of Tbilisi.
Tbilisi offers virtually everything that visitors may find interesting: ancient monuments, modern centres, mountains and forests, plains and lakes.
In addition to the indigenous Georgian population, Armenians, Russians, Jews, Ossetians, Azerbaijanis, Assyrians, Greeks and other communities live here.
Children’s and youth groups, as well as individual performers aged 5 and above, may take part in the festival.
Categories: choreography, vocal, instrumental performance, theatre, photography, variety/original genre, circus arts, fine arts, decorative and applied arts.
Folk dance, ethnic choreography, pop dance, classical ballet, ballroom dance, modern, jazz, neoclassical ballet, sport dance, street dance (hip-hop, breakdance, locking, popping, K-pop), original choreography, disco, etc.
Classical, folk, pop, jazz, academic, rock, rap, soul, musical theatre.
Folk, classic, jazz, percussion ensembles, guitar ensembles, jazz-style ensembles, chamber orchestras, symphony orchestras, accordion and bayan ensembles, folk-instrument ensembles.
Drama theatre, musical theatre, performers of spoken word, poetry, pantomime, fashion theatre, photography, fine arts.
Each performer (soloist, duo or trio) must present one composition with a duration of 3 minutes. If a soloist wishes to perform a second composition, the participant must pay the full fee for the second composition; the second composition is not considered an additional category.
Choreographic groups must perform two dances in the same style, up to 6 minutes per number. If a group performs one folk dance and one contemporary dance, the group must pay for an additional category.
Theatre productions must not exceed 20 minutes.
All compositions must be recorded on a flash drive and sent in advance to the festival organisers by email: geofestival2023@gmail.com
YOU ALSO NEED TO HAVE BACKUP COPIES OF ALL TRACKS!
Each recording must be provided on a separate flash drive, indicating the title of the work, the name of the ensemble, the performer’s first and last name, and the duration of the recording. The application must specify whether the performance items need to be separated or whether the performance will be performed as one continuous block.
The application must also indicate where the performance begins: from the stage centre or from the wings.
The application must include the first and last names of all festival participants and their leaders/directors, exactly as they should appear in English on the certificates. If there are mistakes in names in the submitted applications, the certificates will not be reprinted.
Please also provide the participants’ technical rider, email address and telephone numbers (Viber/WhatsApp).
During the competition performances of vocalists, both groups and soloists are prohibited from using full backing tracks containing the lead vocal.
All participants must perform with instrumental backing tracks. Soloists may use recorded backing vocals provided they do not duplicate the main melody. Duos and ensembles must sing without recorded backing vocals.
All requests must be specified in the technical rider.
Each artist and photographer may submit no more than two competition works. Works must be no larger than A3. The subject matter and techniques could be different. Tablets (for photographers) and cameras should be provided.
Theme for artists: “MY GEORGIA” or “WONDERLAND”.
Various techniques may be used; photography themes are unrestricted.
For circus performers, insurance and reliable props are required. The duration of one number must not exceed 8 minutes.
All performance details must be agreed with the festival organising committee well in advance of the delegation’s arrival.
Performances will be evaluated by an international jury.
At the conclusion of the contest, participants will be presented with awards at the Gala Concert.
All participants will receive certificates and commemorative gifts from the festival organisers, “TEAM TRAVEL” & “GEO.FEST.GEORGIA”.
Groups and individual performers will be evaluated by category and age group. The international jury awards the Grand Prix of the festival; in each category and age group, the titles of Laureate of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Degrees, as well as Diploma Winner, may be awarded.
Special Prize from the Festival Organisers! Audience Choice Award!
According to the jury’s decision, special diplomas and prizes may be awarded in the following categories: “Festival Discovery”, “For Artistry”, “Youngest Participant”, “Best Performance”, and “Originality of Staging”.
The jury has the right not to award the Grand Prix and may establish special awards based on the festival results.
If there are no sufficiently deserving candidates for the Grand Prix or prize places, those awards will not be given.
The Gala Concert programme is determined by the directing and production team based on the jury’s decisions.
The decision of the international jury is final and cannot be changed!
Winning groups and individual performers will receive offers from “GEO.FEST.GEORGIA” & “TEAM TRAVEL” to participate in festivals held both in Georgia and abroad by our company and our international partners.
Changes to the programme must be communicated to the organisers no later than three weeks before the start of the festival. After that, the established programme will not be changed
FROM GEORGIA WITH LOVE
Free time.
Meeting with the festival organising committee and technical services; consultations.
(Lunch or Dinner, depending on the delegations’ arrival time.)
In case the group misses dinner due to a late flight, we will arrange lunch boxes for them.
After breakfast, there will be a Tbilisi city tour. During the tour you will visit: Metekhi Church, offering a beautiful panorama of the Old Town; Narikala Fortress, reached by cable car; Abanotubani, the sulphur-bath district; Meidan Square; and Shardeni Street.
You will also visit Rike Park and the “Mshvidobisa Khidi” / Peace Bridge.
After the tour of the capital, we return to the hotel for lunch.
After lunch, we will go up to “Bombora” Park on the famous funicular, located on Mount Mtatsminda. This is one of the most visited parks in Tbilisi. Everyone can find something to enjoy: walking along beautiful paths and taking in the surrounding nature, going on thrilling rides, or enjoying spectacular views of the Old Town. The park is designed in a fantasy style, with unusual and whimsical figures at every turn. After the excursion, you will return to the hotel by comfortable bus.
A JOURNEY INTO THE WORLD OF CHILDHOOD WILL TOUCH EVERYONE’S HEART!
Dinner at the hotel.
We depart from the hotel for the Kakheti region and the city of Telavi.
Accommodation of participants at the hotel in Telavi.
Lunch at the hotel.
Official opening of the “OLD TOWN PICTURES”” festival and start of the contest programme.
PART I: Choreography and Theatre
PART II: Vocal, Choirs and Instrumental Performance
Return to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel
Gala Concert and official awards ceremony for festival participants.
Lunch at the hotel in Telavi or a packed meal.
Dinner at the hotel.
Check out from the hotel in Telavi and depart to visit the estate of Alexander Chavchavadze.
The Chavchavadze estate in Tsinandali became a centre of Georgian high society in the mid-1820s. Mikhail Lermontov, Alexander Pushkin and, of course, Alexander Griboyedov visited here. The poet fell in love with Alexander Chavchavadze’s daughter, Nina. The marriage was short-lived. Several weeks after the wedding, Griboyedov was sent to Persia as an ambassador. In Tehran, a religious mob attacked the Russian Imperial mission. Griboyedov was killed. The poet was buried on Mount Mtatsminda in Tbilisi.
Nina Chavchavadze survived her husband by 30 years but never remarried. She is buried next to Griboyedov. His gravestone bears her words: “Your mind and deeds are immortal in Russian memory, but why did my love survive you!”
Return to the hotel in Telavi.
Lunch at the hotel.
After lunch, we depart from the hotel in Telavi and travel to Tbilisi for check-in at the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Departure of festival participants and transfer to the airport.
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
The total package price is 470 euros per person.
(Accommodation in Tbilisi for 3 nights and in Telavi for 2 nights.)
Supplement for a double room: 15 euros per person per day (3-star hotels).
Supplement for a single room: 35 euros per person per day (3-star hotels).
Additional night in a 3-star hotel in Tbilisi: 55 euros for children under 13; 60 euros for persons over 13.
Additional night in a 3-star hotel in Telavi: 40 euros for children under 13; 50 euros for persons over 13.
Soloists pay an additional organisational fee of 50 euros on top of the basic programme price (1 song).
Additional category for vocalists: 40 euros (2nd song).
“Small Forms” (up to and including 5 people: duos, trios, quartets, quintets): additional organisational fee of 25 euros per person.
Additional category for groups of 6 or more: 20 euros per person for dancers, choirs, etc.
Additional excursions not included in the festival programme are charged separately.
Applications accepted until 10 October (inclusive).
50% of the tour/package price and participant fee must be transferred to our account by 5 October 2023. After making the transfer, please send us a copy of the bank payment document by e-mail: geofestival2023@gmail.com
The remaining amount must be paid two weeks before arrival at the competition.
If an application is cancelled in connection with hotel reservations for reasons beyond the organisers’ control, the 50% advance payment is non-refundable.
If participants who have already arrived at the festival decide to change their booking or reduce the number of days of their hotel stay, a penalty will be charged.
If the penalty is not paid, the group will be withdrawn from the competition.
If participants do not attend the competition for reasons beyond our control, they will also be withdrawn from the competition and the participation fee will not be refunded.
On competition days, groups will be provided with a packed meal at the hotel instead of lunch or dinner, depending on the participant’s performance time.
If any force majeure circumstances occur during the festival—including landslides, road closures, or natural disasters—our company will do its best to help resolve the issues. Please note, however, that we cannot accept responsibility for the situation itself.
The final deadline for applications is 20 days before the start of the festival.
You are welcome to contact us in any convenient way, and we will certainly respond to your inquiry.
ALL QUESTIONS REGARDING APPLICATIONS, THE FESTIVAL PROGRAMME AND THE TECHNICAL RIDER:
Cell phone: +995 579 401 122; +995 592 45 31 09
WhatsApp: +995 579 401 122; +995 592 45 31 09
Viber: +995 579 401 122; +995 592 45 31 09
E-mail: geofestival2023@gmail.com
We are available 24 hours a day!
Dear colleagues, we can revise the programme of our festival for you, review the prices and reduce the number of days of your stay in Georgia, provided that the changes do not affect the competition days. We can also revise and prepare a new festival schedule based on the tickets you have purchased. However, we cannot change the competition day or the Gala Concert day.
Yours sincerely,
Festival President
Elena Barsegova
“OLD TOWN PICTURES” - 2026
V INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL - CONTEST
“OLD TOWN PICTURES” - 2026
GEORGIA (TBILISI - TELAVI)
04 NOVEMBER – 09 NOVEBVER
“FROM GEORGIA WITH LOVE”
The festival-competition consists of two stages: Stage I – the competition program, and Stage II – the gala concert and awards ceremony. These will take place at the State Drama Theater in the city of Gurjaani, Kakheti Region.
During their stay in Georgia, groups will have the opportunity not only to participate in the festival but also to see many interesting and colorful places in our country and learn about Georgian history and culture.
Georgia - the "land of St. George", intoxicated by the sun, filled with light, dancing, singing, proud, loving and in love
THE CITY OF TBILISI. Tbilisi is the capital of Georgia, its heart. It is the country's largest city and an important economic, political, transportation, scientific, cultural, and spiritual center. Tbilisi's history spans several centuries; its former name was Tiflis. In 2008, it celebrated its 1,550th anniversary.
Tbilisi means "warm spring," and "tbili" means "warm" in Georgian. The city's name and origin are associated with the warm sulfur springs located within its boundaries. The city also has an old name, Tiflis.
Tbilisi was founded in the 5th century AD by Vakhtang Gorgasali. By the 6th century, it had become the capital of Iberia, a state that at the time was located in modern-day Georgia. There is also a legend about the origins of Tbilisi. It states that during a hunt by King Vakhtang Gorgasali, his falcon and its prey, a pheasant, fell into a hot spring. Having discovered the spring, the king ordered a city to be built on its site. Today, the site of the legendary spring is home to the Abanotubani quarter, the oldest district of Tbilisi. Tbilisi has virtually everything that will interest our young visitors to the capital: ancient monuments, modern centers, mountains, forests, plains, and lakes—Tbilisi is quite diverse in its composition.
In addition to the indigenous Georgian population, it is home to Armenians, Russians, Jews, Ossetians,
Azerbaijanis, Assyrians, Greeks, and others.
Participation Conditions - Festival Nominations:
The competition is open to children's and youth groups and individual performers aged 5 and up in the following categories: vocals, choreography, instrumental genres, fashion theater, pantomime, photography, and art.
I. Vocals - classical, folk, pop, jazz, classical, rock, rap, soul, musical, and original song.
1. Solo;
2. Duet, trio, quartet, quintet;
3. Choir.
II. Choreography - folk dance, folk-stylized dance, ethnic dance, pop dance, classical ballet, ballroom dancing, modern, jazz, neoclassical dance, dancesport: techno dance, electro-bugi, street dance, hip-hop, break dance, disco, pop locking, K-pop, etc.), "Flamenco"
1. Solo;
2. Duet, trio, quartet, quintet;
3. Ensemble.
III. Instrumental genre - folk, classical, jazz, percussion ensembles, guitar ensembles, jazz ensembles, chamber orchestras, accordion and bayan orchestras, folk instrument ensembles, vocal and instrumental ensembles. Piano, wind and percussion instruments (trumpet, oboe, clarinet); Folk instruments (bayan, accordion, guitar, plucked string instruments, gusli, dombra); Bowed string instruments (violin, viola, cello, double bass, kobyz); Pop instruments (electric guitar, electric bass guitar, keyboards, percussion, drums), Rock bands.
1. Solo;
2. Duet, trio, quartet, quintet;
3. Ensemble.
IV. Fashion Theatre, Pantomime, Original Genres.
V. Photography - Creative Arts, Artists, Decorative and Applied Arts.
Age categories: vocals and instrumental genres:
1. Age category 5-7 years
2. Age category 8-10 years
3. Age category 11-13 years
4. Age category 14-16 years
5. Age category 17-19 years
6. Age category 20-24 years
7. Age category 25 and up
Age categories: choreography, fashion theater, pantomime, original genres, circus arts, photography, artists, arts and crafts:
1. Age category 5-7 years
2. Age category 8-10 years
3. Age category 11-13 years
4. Age category 14-16 years
5. Age category 17-19 years old
6. Age category: 20–24 years old
7. Age category: 25 and above
Evaluation Criteria: Performance Skills
Competition requirements:
Each performer (soloist, duet, trio, etc.) must submit one competition composition of 3 minutes in duration, and choreographic groups must submit two competition dances (of the same style) up to 6 minutes each. If a group performs one folk dance and the other modern, they must pay for an additional entry fee. Theatrical performances must be a maximum of 20 minutes in length. All compositions must be recorded on a flash drive and emailed to the festival organizers in advance at geofestival2023@gmail.com.
Backup copies of the tracks are also required!
Each audio recording must be on a separate flash drive with the title of the piece, the name of the ensemble, the name of the performer, and the length of the piece. In the application, please indicate whether the pieces should be split or performed as a single block.
Also, indicate whether the piece should begin (with a period or a curtain). Please include the first and last names of the festival participants and their supervisors in your application. These names must be printed on the diploma in English. If you make any mistakes in your completed applications, your diplomas will not be reprinted!
You must also include your technical rider, email address, and phone numbers (Viber, WhatsApp)!
During the competition performances (vocals), both vocal ensembles and soloists are prohibited from using backing tracks!
All participants perform the song with a backing track. Soloists may use recorded backing vocals that do not overlap the main melody. Duets and ensembles may sing without recorded backing vocals.
MANDATORY!!!!! Technical issues regarding the connection of musical instruments and equipment must be agreed upon with the sound engineer in advance!
And include all requests in the technical rider!
Each participant (Artist and Photographer) must submit no more than two competition entries, no larger than A3.
Festival participants will be awarded.
Performances will be judged by an international jury.
Based on the results of the competition, we will award festival participants at a gala concert.
All participants will receive certificates and souvenirs from the festival organizers: TEAM TRAVEL & GEO.FEST.GEORGIA.
Groups and individual performers will be judged by a jury based on age categories. The international jury will award the Grand Prix of the festival, as well as the titles of Laureate of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degrees, as well as the Diploma Winner, in each category and age category.
Special prize from the festival organizers! Audience Choice Award! Special diplomas and prizes, according to the jury, will be awarded in the following categories:
"Festival Opening," "For Artistry,"
"Youngest Participant," "Best Performance," and "Originality of Performance."
If there are no worthy contenders for the Grand Prix or prize places, these places will not be awarded!!!
The Gala Concert program will be determined by the director and production team based on the jury's decisions.
The decision of the international jury is final and cannot be changed!!!
Winning groups and individual performers will receive many attractive offers from GEO.FEST.GEORGIA & TEAM TRAVEL to participate in festivals and competitions held both in Georgia and abroad, organized by our company and our international partners.
Additional Information:
The price includes:
1. Transfer (minimum 15 people) - from the airport to the hotel and back to the airport. Transfer is included in the package only on festival days.
If you arrive or depart on other days, you will pay an additional transfer fee!
2. All transportation services - escort from the hotel to the concert hall and back to the hotel during the festival.
3. Transportation - comfortable bus or minibus.
4. Transportation during the excursion.
5. Organizational fee for the main group category.
6. Hotel in Tbilisi for 3 nights
(3-4-bed accommodation in 3-star hotels).
7. Hotel in Telavi for 2 nights
(3-4-bed accommodation in 3-star hotels).
8. Groups of at least 20 people, sharing a double room - no extra charge.
9. A free seat for the leader, based on the 25 + 1 seating arrangement.
10. Three meals a day - FB.
11. Sightseeing tour of Tbilisi, Mtskheta, Telavi, and a tour of the Tsinandali Gardens.
12. Entrance tickets to parks and museums.
13. Cable car tickets as per the program.
14. Diplomas, letters of thanks, and gifts from the organizers for all festival participants and leaders.
15. The festival package price for transfers is per group, based on a minimum of 15 people. Groups with fewer participants will be charged an additional fee.
Additional charges apply:
Airfare;
Delegation insurance;
An additional night's hotel stay;
The additional fee for a double room is 15 EUR (for 3-star hotels) per person per day.
The additional fee for a single room is 35 EUR (for 3-star hotels) per person per day.
The additional fee for an additional night's hotel stay in Tbilisi (3-star hotels) is 55 EUR for children under 13 and 60 EUR for children over 13.
The additional fee for an additional night's hotel stay in Telavi (3-star hotels) is 40 EUR for children under 13 and 50 EUR for children over 13.
Soloists pay an additional 50 EUR organizational fee in addition to the basic program fee (1 song).
Additional nomination for vocalists: 40 EUR (2 songs).
Small Forms (up to 5 people; duets, trios, quartets, quintets) pay an additional organization fee of 25 euros per person in addition to the basic program fee.
Additional categories of 6 or more people pay 20 euros per person for choir dancers, etc.;
Additional excursions not included in the festival program.
P.S.: If a group arriving at the festival leaves trash on their buses, leaves dirty dressing rooms in the concert hall, damages government property in the concert hall, or damages property in the hotels represented by the festival, the group will be required to pay a fine equal to the amount of the damaged property, as determined by the hotel and bus owner and the government concert hall's price list, which the groups will be familiar with prior to their arrival at the festival.
APPLICATION AND PAYMENT DEADLINE until October 10 (inclusive):
The deadline for applications is 30 days before the festival!
You can contact us in any way convenient for you, and we will respond as soon as possible!
CELL PHONE: +995 592 45 31 09; +995 579 40 11 22
Viber: +995 592 45 31 09; +995 579 40 11 22
What's App: +995 592 45 31 09; +995 579 40 11 22
Email: geofestival2023@gmail.com
Dear colleagues, we can revise our festival program for you, adjust your prices, and reduce the number of days you spend in Georgia without affecting the competition days. We can also revise and create a new festival schedule based on the tickets you purchased. The only dates we cannot change are the competition day and the gala concert day.
Bands attending the festival are required to pay 50% of the total cost of their selected package one month before the festival, and the full amount 10 days before arrival.
Our phone numbers:
What's App; Viber; Telegram: +995 592 45 31 09
(Elena - questions about the location and hotels)
What's App; Viber; Telegram: +995 579 401 122
(Irina - applications and phonograms)
Email: geofestival2023@gmail.com (for festival applications and phonograms)
Email: team.travel@mail.ru (for documents)
OLD TOWN PICTURES
GEORGIA (TBILISI - TELAVI)
04 november – 09 november
ATTENTION!
The following is a mandatory requirement for participation in the festival:
1. The performance program must be approved by the festival director.
2. Your musical accompaniment must be sent
to geofestival2023@gmail.com and brought to the venue on a flash drive on the day of the competition and gala concert.
Groups and soloists who violate this rule will not be allowed to participate in the Festival.