Eastern Tales
The New Festival for Ethno and Character Dance in Bulgaria
Three days of training, an open-air seaside stage, and a meeting of cultures.
Save the dates: July 24–26, 2026 | Obzor, Bulgaria.
Something extraordinary is coming!
“Eastern Tales” is an international artistic platform dedicated to ethno and character dance traditions from the Middle East, the Far East, and other cultures around the world.
The festival will take place in the seaside town of Obzor during the peak summer season, July 24–26, 2026.
Eastern Tales is more than just a stage. It is a space for:
- high-level professional training
- meeting international teachers
- stylistic diversity
- cultural exchange
- developing character dance expression
- performing on an open-air seaside stage
- inspiring awards
- creating friendships
FESTIVAL MISSION
The festival was created with the vision of building a welcoming international community of dancers – both amateurs and professionals – who see art as a source of spiritual enrichment and a path to personal growth.
One of our main goals is to create a bridge between cultures and to develop a network of partnerships through diverse and successful initiatives, not only among participating artists, but also between them and cultural managers and institutions from around the world.
We believe that:
every culture leaves a unique signature in dance
every tradition carries knowledge and memory
diversity enriches us
Our goal is to introduce dance styles that are rarely taught in Bulgaria and to create opportunities for specialized training and development for dancers interested in new directions.
Our dream is to create a space where every participant can learn and express themselves with ease and joy, feeling respected, supported, and encouraged.
Come to learn, perform and share!
The most beautiful tales are written together.
Become part of the magic.
Three Days Full of Activities
Gala Show
with teachers and guest artists
at the open-air amphitheatre stage in Obzor
Opening Event
concert evening at the indoor multifunctional hall in Obzor
Competition
at the open-air amphitheatre stage
Main Workshops
with internationally recognized teachers in various ethnic dance styles
at the multifunctional hall in Obzor
Bazaar
costumes, accessories and cultural products at the multi-functional hall
Artists Lab
additional educational sessions at the conference hall of Hotel Casablanca, Obzor
Master Classes
The educational program is divided into MAIN WORKSHOPS and ARTISTS LAB with 15+ hours of training in different dance styles and topics.
MAIN WORKSHOPS
Masterclasses in character and ethnic styles with local and international teachers.
ARTISTS LAB
Additional seminars designed to develop theoretical knowledge, practical skills, musicality, stage presence, physical preparation for dancers
Festival Passes & Workshop Prices
Star Pass
-- all workshops (including Artists Lab)
- free Open Stage participation
- free Gala Show ticket
- competition participation (1 dance)
Full Pass
⭐ Most Popular Choice- all main workshops
- free Open Stage participation
- free Gala Show ticket
- competition participation (1 dance)
- The price goes to € 220 after 30 April
Weekend Pass
-- Choose 4 main workshops of your choice.
Group Discounts
Dance schools can benefit from special conditions:
5 participants – 5% discount
10 participants – 10% discount
20 participants – 15% discount
10+ participants → 1 free teacher pass
Children Discount
25% discount for participants up to 14 years old.
Discounts cannot be combined.
Tickets for the shows
Opening evening
Free for all participants
External audience – 8€
Gala Show
Participants – 10€
External audience – 15€
Free for Full/Star Pass holders
Single Workshops
Single workshop booking available in the registration form.
Eastern Tales Rising Talents
“Eastern Tales Rising Talents” is the competition stage of our festival. Here your talent, skills, artistry and love for dance can bring you an award.
Categories:
Oriental Dance
- classical oriental dance
- baladi
- shaabi
Traditional / Folklore Dances
- арабски фолклорни танци
- Indian Folklore Dances
- and others
Ethno Show & Fusion
- contemporary ethnic interpretations
- cross-culture ethno styles
- bellydance fusion
- drum solo
- and other show dances with ethno elements
Performance Format:
- solo
- duet
- small group (3-6 dancers)
- formation (7+ dancers)
Categories are divided into amateurs and professionals.
Age Divisions:
- Mini – up to 8 years old
- Kids– 9–12
- Teens – 13–18
- Adults – 19–39
- Seniors – 40+
The organizer reserves the right to merge or add categories depending on participation numbers.
Performance Duration:
- Solo – up to 2:30 min
- Duo – up to 3:00 min
- Group – up to 3:30 min
*Music must be submitted in advance in MP3 format.
Naming format:
Category_Format_Style_SongTitle_ParticipantName_SchoolName.mp3
Examples: Oriental_Solo_RaqsSharqi_HabibiSong_MariaIvanova.mp3
Folklore_Group_Dabke_MuseDanceSchool.mp3
Evaluation Criteria
Performances will be evaluated by a jury of teachers and professional dancers.
Criteria include:
- Musicality – ability to interpret and express the music through movement
- Technique – control, precision and clarity of movement
- Stage Presence – expression, charisma and connection with the audience
- Choreography – structure, flow and composition of the performance
- Image & Costume – visual presentation and stage aesthetics
- Originality (fusion category) -this criteria applies for the Show and Fusion Category Only
Awards:
The event focuses on encouraging and developing dancers, with emphasis on special awards. The distinctions vary depending on the category.
Awards may include:
- Best Performance
- Muse of Oriental Tales
- Queen of the Desert
- Creative Vision Award
- Keeper of Tradition
- Storytelling in Motion Award
- Rising Star
- Audience Choice Award
Prizes include:
-
Certificates, medals and trophies
-
Gifts from sponsors and partners
-
Discounts and free passes for international festivals
Stay tuned – new prizes will be announced every month until the festival begins!
Participation Fee:
Solo – 20 €
Duo – 15 € per dancer
Group – 10 € per dancer
Participants benefit from discounts when performing more than one routine.
Eastern Tales Rising Talents
“Eastern Tales Rising Talents” is the competition stage of our festival.
Here your talent, skills, artistry and love for dance can bring you an award.
Accommodation for Participants
To make your stay easier, we have reserved a limited number of accommodation options in Obzor.
⭐ All-Inclusive Hotel
All-inclusive apartments for two or three participants within walking distance of the venues.
⭐ Guest Houses
Guesthouses with double and triple rooms within walking distance.
Availability until May 5 or until fully booked.
Contact us
Festival Director: Katerina Borisova +359 888 856 376
Head of Organisation:Maia Zarcheva +359 888 856 861
Coordinator Participants: Maria Ganeva +359 888 279 799
We are open to partnerships! Please read the Sponsor Packs Presentation