SHANGHAI, CHINA, 13 19 OCTOBER 2016 1
INVITATION TO THE INTERNATIONAL FOLK FITNESS DANCE CONFERENCE IN SHANGHAI, CHINA, 13 19 OCTOBER 2016 DEAR DANCE GROUPS, Do you want to present your unique ethnic culture and tradition in the Chinese financial capital in the Far East? Are you interested in an exchange with other cultures from all around the world? Do you have an interest in exploring the daily life of millions of Shanghai s citizens in the modern and fashionable metropolis? You believe that your dance will impress the Chinese audience, right? Do you want to be one of the only 12 groups that will be invited? If your answer is yes, this is exactly the opportunity that you and your dance group have been waiting for! For the third time, the China Pudong Lujiazui International Folk Fitness Dance Conference will take place in the spectacular metropolis of Shanghai from 13th to 19th of October, 2016. And you and your dance group are cordially invited! 2
LET S DANCE TOGETHER IN SHANGHAI IN THE GOLDEN OCTOBER OF 2016! The city of Shanghai, an international metropolis, is the origin of Shanghaistyle, which is expressed in openness, diversity, integration of the ancient and the modern, and Chinese flair and western nuance. The first conference took place in 2010 during the World Expo Shanghai and 300 dancers from eleven countries and several Chinese regions participated. In 2012, the second conference and in 2014, the third conference, dance groups from Europe, North America, South America, Australia and Asia greatly enjoyed the exciting time they spent together in Shanghai. Due to the incredible success and response the conference takes place biennially, when it enriches Shanghai s golden October landscape. The fourth International Folk Fitness Dance Conference, where traditional Chinese dance meets foreign cultures and their dances, will be held as part of the Shanghai International Arts Festival in Shanghai in 2016. The festival aims to encourage intercultural exchange, promote international friendships and award the various and marvelous dance cultures of the world. Hosts of the festival are the Sports Bureau of Shanghai, the Literature and Art Society of the City of Shanghai, Shanghai Pudong Administration of Culture, Radio and Television, Pudong Education (Sport) Bureau, Pudong Lujiazui District Office, Art Troupe of Shanghai Literature and Art Society, Shanghai Social Sport Management Center, and Shanghai Yanger Association. 3
SCHEDULE* Day Date Ti Program 1 13/10 Thur Until 5 pm Registration and check-in Welcome banquet Team leader meeting 2 3 14/10 Fri 15/10 Sat Afternoon Rehearsal 19.00 Opening ceremony, main performance, Shanghai Oriental Pearl Plaza Performances at Nanjing Road open stage (part of the dance groups) Afternoon Performances at South Binjiang Road open stage (Separate fields performances) Evening Boat trip, enjoy the Huangpu river night scene 4 16/10 Sun Performances at Nanjing Road open stage (part of the dance groups) Afternoon Performances at Meiyuan Park open stage (Separate fields performances) Evening Performances at Babaiban Plaza open stage (All dance groups) Sightseeing trip in ancient town-- Zhujia jiao 5 17/10 Mon Afternoon Evening Free time Closing and awards ceremony at Gaodong town open stage 6-7 18-19/10 Tue-Wed Checkout, end of the festival *Above performances are 5 to 6 sessions *The fourth festival arranges cross regional performance, including performance tour in other regions, the final schedule will be subject to the actual plan in Shanghai 4
WHAT WE OFFER In Shanghai each group will be provided with an English-speaking interpreter. The event hosts will pay for all the expenses of the international dance teams of up to 15 participants. This includes accommodation (double rooms with two people per room - team leaders can have single rooms if requested) in a threestar hotel, including breakfast, lunch and dinner, transport as well as trips to selected sightseeing attractions and other leisure activities. The teams are free to organize their own activities in their free time outside the actual festival hours. The organizing committee will be happy to help with any planning and coordination, but for all unscheduled activities the teams will have to pay for themselves. MEDIA AND DOCUMENTATION The whole conference will be accompanied and supported by the most influential and top- class print, broadcast and online media in Shanghai and across the country. The opening ceremony, which takes place at the foot of Oriental Pearl Tower, the symbol of Shanghai city, will be broadcasted live on the Great Sports Channel, a professional sports TV channel in Shanghai. Also the organizers will prepare a documentary of the conference and each group will receive a DVD with the best photos and videos as a complimentary souvenir. 5
YOUR CONTRIBUTION Each team will perform in approximately six shows, which take place in the most prominent places in Shanghai, e.g. at the plaza of Oriental Pearl Tower (the symbol of Shanghai city), Nanjing West Road, (the oldest shopping street in Shanghai), South Binjiang Avenue at the bank of Huangpu river, the best place to view the urban townscape of Shanghai and it is where Shanghai s history starts. The shows are scheduled for a length of two hours, in which every group gets a time frame of three to four minutes for their choreography. The groups will need to bring their own costumes, props and music (on CD) to the shows. YOUR AWARD Your performances will be highly appreciated! During the closing award ceremony, eight prizes will be awarded among the contestants. Categories include Best Performance, Best Costume, Best Image, Best Charm, Best Style, Best Dynamics, Best Creativity and Best Authenticity. In addition, each group will receive a commemorative award as a souvenir of the time spent in Shanghai. 6
YOUR APPLICATION Due to the very limited number of participants, only 12 international groups, if you are really interested in it, please send us the completed application form as soon as possible! Once your dance company is invited, you will receive the official confirmation and other important information from us. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. The participants only have to pay their air fare and other travel expenses everything else is taken care of by the festival hosts. Furthermore, there is a one-time registration fee of 88 Euros per person. A team should consist of no more than 15 people, including attendants like trainers, choreographers or photographers. Should the team include more than 15 people, the organizational committee is offering a friendship price of 396 + 88 (registration fee) p.p. which will cover all (the same as for the first 15 participants) expenses during the 6 days and 5 nights in Shanghai. Of course every team is welcome to extend their stay in Shanghai beyond the festival period if they want to spend more time in this radiant city. It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, not only to explore the exciting city of Shanghai, but also to have a closer look at China with all of its impressive cities, picturesque villages and beautiful landscapes. If you need any help with travel organization, please do not hesitate to contact the International Liaison Department of the Organization Committee Dance Conference. We are looking forward to seeing you in Shanghai! Yours sincerely, China Pudong Lujiazui International Folk Fitness Dance Conference Organizing Committee 7
ABOUT GRAND SCANDINAVIAN TRAVELS Grand Scandinavian Travels, which is located in Gothenburg, Sweden, has been dedicated to international culture exchanges and event area. Since 2012, Grand Scandinavian Travels has been a partner of this international festival International Folk Fitness Dance Conference and will continue that support by contacting and inviting the dance groups as well as helping you find your way during the festival. CONTACT For further information please contact Grand Scandinavian Travels Arsenalsgatan 4A, 41120, Göteborg Sweden Ms. Julia Yan Email: julia@grandtravels.se Tel: +46 76 58333 56 www.grandtravels.se Facebook International Folk Dance Group Website http://www.shanghai-dance-conference.com/chinese.html Pictures are from Skansen Dance Group, Shanghai International Folk Dance Festival Committee. 8