Rules
1. Competition Registration
Applications for the competition are accepted until April 6, 2026, or until the participant limit is reached.Registration consists of completing the Registration Form, making the payment within 3 days of submitting the Form, and sending the music no later than April 6, 2026.Each Participant will receive an email confirmation of their participation after payment is completed.Submitting the Registration Form alone does not guarantee a place in the competition.
In the event of:
• lack of payment,
• an incorrectly completed Registration Form,
• missing music file, incorrectly labeled or exceeding the required time limits,
• or submission of the above after the deadline,
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CANCEL THE COMPETITION ENTRY WITHOUT A REFUND OF THE ENTRY FEE.​
2. Attendance & Registration on Site
All competition Participants are required to appear on April 25, 2026, at Hotel Sympozjum, ul. KobierzyÅ„ska 47, Kraków, and confirm their participation at the designated time(exact call times for individual competition categories will be announced after the start lists are closed).Please bring your competition music on a USB flash drive (we will have your music, but this is a precaution).Each Participant will receive a start number at registration, which must be attached to the costume in a visible place.​
3. Competition Categories
CATEGORIES:SOLO BEGINNERS (ages 13–45) – dancers who do not perform commercially, have not participated in competitions, or have participated but have not placed on the podium.
SOLO SEMI-PROFESSIONAL (ages 13–45) – dancers who perform commercially, have competition experience but do not teach belly dance classes or workshops, as well as dancers who have placed on the podium in belly dance competitions.
SOLO PROFESSIONAL (ages 13–45) – dancers who perform commercially, compete, and teach belly dance classes or workshops, as well as dancers who have placed on the podium in semi-professional categories.
ADULTS 45+ – dancers over 45 years of age.
CHILDREN & JUNIORS BEGINNERS (up to 12 years old) – dancers who do not perform commercially, have not competed, or have competed but have not placed on the podium.
CHILDREN & JUNIORS CONTINUING (up to 12 years old) – dancers who perform commercially and/or have placed on the podium in belly dance competitions.DUETS GROUPS – from 3 dancers upwards.
NOTE:If the jury determines that a Participant has chosen a category below their skill and experience level, the jury may evaluate the Participant in a higher category.​
STYLES:
SOLO BEGINNERS, SOLO SEMI-PROFESSIONAL, SOLO PROFESSIONAL, ADULTS 45+, CHILDREN & JUNIORS CONTINUING, DUETS, GROUPS
Participants may compete in up to 4 styles:
1. ORIENTAL – mejance, classical, golden era, tarab, lyrical pop/oriental pop, modern baladiProps allowed: veil, sagat.
2. FOLKLORE – saidi, haggala, khaleegy, iraqi, bandari, melaya, zaar, ghawazee, karshilama, dabke, shaabi, tanoura, Moroccan chaabi, bambouti, traditional baladi etc.Props characteristic of the given folklore style are allowed.
3. SHOW / FUSION – props: veils, veil poi, fan veils, Isis wings, trays, swords, poi, jugs, sagat, etc.; fusion of other dance styles with oriental dance.
4. HIT THE DRUM / DRUM SOLO​
CHILDREN & JUNIORS BEGINNERS – may compete in 2 styles:
• ORIENTAL PRINCESS(Oriental styles listed above; folklore styles listed above; drum solo allowed)
• SHOW / FUSION Props and dance fusions as listed above.​
If the number of Participants is too small, the Organizer reserves the right to combine stylistic categories at the same level or cancel a competition category.
Each Participant presents one choreography per category, according to the above criteria and time limits.After all presentations in a category, the Jury evaluates all Participants and assigns placements.
Jury members do not evaluate their own students; in such cases, scores are averaged from the remaining judges.
Judging criteria:
• Choreography / composition / rhythm / style: 1–10
• Technique: 1–10
• Image (hair, makeup, costume appropriate to the style): 1–5
• Charisma / audience contact / feeling / stage presence: 1–5
​
Additional for duets & groups:
• Synchronization: 1–10Maximum score:
​
• Solo: 30 points
• Duets/Groups: 40 pointsIn case of a tie, judges have one additional deciding point.​
4. Music
Music for performances must be sent in MP3 format by April 6, 2026 to:orientaldreams2014@gmail.com
Please send the final version only. Do not send multiple versions.Files exceeding the permitted time limit will not be accepted, and the competition entry will be automatically canceled without refund.
The Organizer does not provide music editing, cutting, converting, or mixing services.We recommend the free and easy-to-use program Audacity.
IMPORTANT:Music files must be properly named (rename the file itself):Surname Firstname, category, ON/OFF (surname first is mandatory).Incorrectly named or unnamed files will not be accepted.
Example: Nowak Katarzyna, semi pro oriental, OFF​
5. Preparation
Participants and performers are kindly requested to arrive with full makeup and hairstyle ready.On-site conditions allow only minor touch-ups.
Please be considerate in shared dressing rooms and do not occupy multiple spaces.​
6. Backstage Rules
Schedules and performance times will be posted in the dressing rooms.Please monitor your performance order.
Only competition Participants and one parent of a child Participant are allowed backstage.
Parents are permitted only in the dressing room, not on stage.
All audience members must have a valid ticket.​
7. Prohibitions
Consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited for both audience and Participants.No food or drinks are allowed in the competition hall.​
8. Audience Seating
Seating is unnumbered.
One ticket is valid for both the competition and the Gala of Stars.
Audience members will receive identification wristbands at entry.
ENTRY TO THE HALL IS ONLY PERMITTED WITH A VISIBLE, SECURELY FASTENED WRISTBAND.
Persons without wristbands, or with wristbands carried in hand, bag, or hidden, will be asked to leave the hall without re-entry.​
9. Refund Policy
Unused tickets are non-refundable.​
10. Movement During Performances
For the comfort of performers, audience members and Participants who join the audience after performing are requested to enter and exit the hall ONLY AFTER A CATEGORY HAS FINISHED.
Please avoid moving around or holding loud conversations during performances.​
11. Payments & Refunds
Fees for workshops, competition entry, and audience tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.Refunds are issued only if the event is canceled due to the Organizer.Fees cannot be transferred to future editions or other persons.​
12. Communication
Please regularly check your email (especially from April 7, 2026 onward).Important information will also be published on the event’s Facebook page.​
13. Safety Rules
For safety reasons, open fire, smoke, incense, glitter, feathers, flower petals, or similar items are strictly prohibited on stage.
No props may be left on stage after a performance.​
14. Photography & Filming
Photography and video recording are not allowed.An official photographer and videographer will be present.Information regarding photos and videos will be provided at least one week before the Festival.​
15. Acceptance of Rules
Participation in the Event constitutes acceptance of all the above Rules and Regulations.