Discover Istanbul—A City of Two Worlds
Istanbul is where the mysticism of the East blends seamlessly with the modernity of the West. As a bridge between continents, it unites not just Europe and Asia but also cultures, histories, and people. From its majestic palaces to its bustling bazaars, Istanbul offers an unforgettable experience for every visitor.
Immerse yourself in a one-of-a-kind cultural celebration where tradition meets modernity! This non-competitive festival invites children and youth folklore dance groups, vocal groups, majorette groups, instrumentalists, and performers from various art styles to showcase their talents. With no age limit, it's the perfect opportunity to share your creativity and passion for music and dance!
Perform on an Extraordinary Stage
Participants will perform in 1 concert and take part in a festive defile in front of welcoming audiences at some of Istanbul's iconic venues. This is your chance to become part of a cultural journey in a city that breathes history and innovation.
Accommodation Details
The Festival accommodation is in a 4*+ Hotel (Kumburgaz Marin Princess Hotel http://www.kumburgazmarinprincess.com), located in Istanbul beach area far away from all the traffic and noise. Hotel is located on the beach, with in-door and out-door pools, spa and its own disco.
The Groups will be accommodated in rooms with 3 beds and 4 beds on a half board basis. Only 2 double rooms are available per group without extra charge which can be used for the leaders and drivers.
Transfers:
The organizers can arrange airport transfers for groups arriving by plane, covering both arrivals and departures. Costs will be determined based on group size and agreed upon in advance. Groups arriving by bus can use their own vehicles during the festival, with parking fees covered by the group as per local rates. The groups coming by bus can use their own transport all the time during the festival and the small journeys around the city. Any expense caused by the usage of the bus (accident, robbing, breakdown, etc.) should be covered by the vehicle’s insurance. Each member must have travel insurance policy.
Parking for Buses:
The Parking for the buses is paid by the group at the rate set on the parking place.
Payment Terms:
The participation fee can be paid via bank transfer or in cash upon arrival. Payment schedule:
Final participant lists must be submitted 30 days before the festival, after which advance payments are non-refundable.
01.10 – 04.10.2025
1 Concert with Professional Stage & Sound System
4* Hotels – Half Board Basis (2 meals per day)
3 nights - 159 euro per person
On 25 participants, every 26th is free of charge
01.08.2025 or until the capacity if full.
Check out our program here.
Arrival and accommodation of the groups in the Hotel
Short description of the festival program by FFA Team
Breakfast in the Hotel
Free Time – Excursion day (You can find more information in the “Excursions” section.)
Parade
Concert and awarding Diploma
Party for all the participants (In the hotel disco)
Free time (Visit the beautiful Istanbul, city of spices and merchants, feel the power of its culture and see some of the most iconic cultural monuments, such as the Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, Galata Tower, Grand Bazaar and much more...)
Boat sightseeing tour Bosphorus (from 18:30 till 20:30)
Departure to FFA Festival in Side (for the groups connecting 2 festivals)
Check – out after breakfast
Detailed Festival Program will be given to you 1 month before the start of the festival.
The organizer reserves the right to any changes in the program, and the participants will be informed on time. By applying you confirm that you accept all festival conditions!
Check out our excursions here.
The Hagia Sophia is among Istanbul's most popular and iconic historic sites. Completed in the 6th century on the orders of the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I, Hagia Sophia is considered to be an architectural marvel even today. Before being converted into a mosque in the 15th century and later into a museum in 1935, Hagia Sophia served as the center of the Eastern Orthodox Church.
Looming over the point where the Golden Horn meets the Marmara Sea, Topkapı Palace was the primary residence of the Ottoman sultans for more than four centuries. Topkapı Palace is a beautiful spot offering beautiful views of Istanbul. Every room is covered in exquisite tile of work and in the springtime the gardens are filled with tulips and hyacinths.
Located next to the Topkapı Palace on the tip of Istanbul's historic peninsula, Gülhane Park is one of the city's biggest and most beautiful parks. Thousands of tulips bloom in the park during springtime.
Among the city's most famous landmarks, the Blue Mosque's interior walls are adorned with over 20.000 hand-painted blue tiles, which are bathed in natural light filtering in from more than 200 windows, a dazzling sight to behold. This historic mosque was built in the early 17th century during the reign of Ahmed I.
Descend underground Istanbul to one of the city’s ancient reservoirs. The Basilica Cistern is dark, chilly and mysterious featuring hundreds of ancient Ionic and Corinthian columns, the cistern is a relic of the Byzantine Empire's water system.
The Galata Tower was built in the mid 14 th century and was used as a fire tower, barracks and a dungeon. From the top of the tower you can get the best views of Istanbul
The work of the renowned Ottoman architect Mimar Sinan, Kılıç Ali Paşa Hamamı was built in between 1578-1583 to serve the marine forces in the Ottoman navy and was reopened to the public in 2012 after a major restoration. The hammam ritual is an unmissable experience for anyone visiting Istanbul and there's no better place to do it than inside this architectural masterpiece dating back half a millennium.
A dinner cruise on the Bosphorus provides evening views of Istanbul for a different perspective of the city. As you travel along this waterway that leads to the Black Sea, you'll enjoy food, drinks, and a live show on board.
Istanbul’s street life is deeply interwoven with the city’s food culture. While you explore historical places, you can also discover the best Turkish street food in Istanbul and turn your culture trip into a gourmet tour. Istanbul boasts hundreds of dishes and rich food culture.
Among the world's oldest and largest covered markets, the Grand Bazaar features thousands of shops spread across dozens of streets. With its kaleidoscope of colorful lanterns, its friendly people and its maze of hallways the Grand Bazaar is a joy to explore.
Check out our trips here.
We can provide the following services for your group:
The groups should pay the travel expenses by themselves to Istanbul and back.
The groups coming by bus can use their own transport all the time during the festival and the small journeys around the city. Any expense caused by the usage of the bus (accident, robbing, breakdown, etc) should be covered by the vehicle’s insurance. Each member must have travel insurance policy.
The Parking for the buses is paid by the group at the rate set on the parking place.
The festival organizers will organize the transport for the groups coming by plane by picking them up from Istanbul airport, during the festival days, and back to the same Istanbul airport. The cost of the transportation will be covered by the group and will be additionally agreed upon according to their number.
