Festival Terms and Conditions
1. Introduction and definitions
These Terms and Conditions apply to everyone registering for the EUROPA CANTAT 2027 Festival, taking place from 9 to 15 August 2027 in Liepāja, Latvia. By submitting a registration, the person completing the registration confirms that they have read and accepted these Terms and Conditions, both on their own behalf and on behalf of all participants included in the registration.
Definitions
- Festival – the EUROPA CANTAT 2027 Festival (further – the Festival), 9–15 August 2027. 9 August is the arrival day, the main programme runs from 10 to 14 August, and 15 August is the departure day.
- Organiser – Association “Dziesmu svētku biedrība” (Latvian Song Celebration Society) (further – the Organiser), which organises the Festival together with the European Choral Association and Foundation “Liepāja 2027”.
- Participant – any person registered for the Festival: singer, conductor, composer, manager, accompanying person or other.
- Registration – an individual, group (friends, family, couple) or choir/vocal ensemble registration submitted through the official registration system.
- Contact person – the person who submits and manages a group or choir registration. The contact person accepts these terms on behalf of all members of that registration and is responsible for passing on all information to them.
- Participation fee – the full fee per person, calculated as described in Section 3.
- Registration fee – the first instalment per person, which forms part of the participation fee.
Organiser details
|
Organiser |
Association “Dziesmu svētku biedrība” (Latvian Song Celebration Society) |
|
Reg. No. |
40008147829 |
|
Legal address |
Krišjāņa Barona iela 39–1, Riga, LV-1011, Latvia |
|
Festival co-organisers |
European Choral Association; Foundation “Liepāja 2027” |
|
Registration platform |
Mitto Events (mittoevents.com), operated by SIA ABC idea, Reg. No. 40103285126, Katlakalna iela 9A, Riga, LV-1073, Latvia |
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Card payments |
EveryPay, in cooperation with Swedbank AS |
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Contact |
info@europacantat2027.com |
Further festival information: europacantat2027.com.
2. Registration
Registration is open from 26 October 2026 until 15 January 2027 at europacantat2027.com/en/registration. If the Festival reaches its maximum capacity earlier, the registration may close before the official deadline.
Choir, Vocal Group and Group Registration will take place in two stages.
- Stage 1 – Group Registration: Provide general information about the choir, vocal ensemble or group you represent, and receive an invoice for the initial registration payment.
- Stage 2 – Individual Registration: Once the registration fee has been received, the group representative will receive an email with individual registration links for all group members. These links will remain valid for one month from the date of payment but no later than 15 January 2027. Individual registration details can be completed either by the group representative on behalf of all members or by each member individually using their personal registration link.
2.1 Who can register. The Festival is non-competitive and open to complete choirs of all kinds and levels, groups of singers, individual singers, conductors and accompanying persons. Visitors who only attend public concerts and Open Singing do not need to register.
2.2 Full festival only. Registration is possible only for the full Festival. Registration for individual days is not possible, including for participants in 4-day ateliers. Should places remain in late spring 2027, the Organiser may offer one-day tickets separately.
2.3 Accompanying persons. The participation fee is a general contribution to the costs of the Festival. Accompanying persons who wish to receive a festival badge and use festival services (venues, meal packages, ticketed concerts, accommodation arranged through the Festival) must register and pay the participation fee.
2.4 Registration types and joint payment. Participants can register as an individual, a group or a choir/vocal ensemble. For groups and choirs, all payments are made jointly for the whole registration by the contact person or the choir. Participants who wish to pay individually must use an individual registration. Singers from the same choir who choose different ateliers can submit a separate registration for each set of atelier preferences, using clearly related group names (e.g. “Choir Mundus 1” and “Choir Mundus 2”) and the same contact email.
2.5 Ateliers. Every participant must take part in one atelier and rank three atelier options in order of preference. Please choose options that match your age, voice type and level (A – open to everyone; B – good sight-readers or prepared singers; C – auditioned choirs and singers; D – national youth choirs only). For C-level ateliers, a link to a 3–5 minute video recording is required. Alternatively, participants may choose the Discovery Atelier (option E), and conductors may apply for the International Study Tour (option F).
2.6 Obligatory programme. Attendance at all morning rehearsals of the assigned atelier (approx. 3.5 hours daily from 10 August) and at its final performance on Day 4 or Day 5 is obligatory. All participants are expected to stay in Liepāja for the full Festival. Choir-to-Choir concerts, guest concerts and Open Singing are optional.
2.7 Accuracy of data. Participants are responsible for providing complete and correct information, including date of birth, country of residence and membership status, as these determine the fee. Participants can update the registration after submission by logging into the registration form.
2.8 Confirmation. A registration is confirmed only once the registration fee (Section 3.4) has been paid. Only paid registrations are considered when atelier places are allocated. After registration closes, the Festival Music Commission assigns ateliers, taking preferences into account; placement in the first choice cannot be guaranteed. Participants will be informed of their confirmed atelier in early March 2027. Ateliers with too few participants may be cancelled, in which case participants are placed in one of their other choices.
2.9 Concert applications. Choirs may apply to perform in a Choir-to-Choir concert during registration. Performance slots are allocated by the Festival Music Commission after registration closes and cannot be guaranteed. For applying to a Choir-to-Choir concert, a link to a 3–5 minute video recording is required.
3. Participation fee and payment
The participation fee is paid in two parts: a registration fee of €80 per person for international participants and €40 per person for participants resident in Latvia, and the remaining balance by 31 March 2027. The registration fee must be paid within 30 days of registration, but no later than 15 January 2027. The registration system calculates the fee automatically from the data you provide.
3.1 Fee per person (EUR)
|
Country group |
Age on 7 August 2027 |
ECA indirect member |
Non-member |
|
Group 1 |
under 27 |
200 |
280 |
|
Group 1 |
27 and over |
320 |
400 |
|
Group 2 |
under 27 |
170 |
240 |
|
Group 2 |
27 and over |
270 |
340 |
|
Group 3 |
under 27 |
120 |
180 |
|
Group 3 |
27 and over |
200 |
260 |
|
Latvia |
under 27 |
80 |
80 |
|
Latvia |
27 and over |
130 |
130 |
The country group is determined by your country of residence, according to the ECA country groups. Participants resident in Latvia have a special rate. The full fee overview is published here.
3.2 Age. The under-27 rate applies if the participant has not turned 27 by 7 August 2027. Participants claiming this rate must upload a copy of an ID card or passport. All data except full name and date of birth may be covered. If the document is missing or rejected, the fee is recalculated at the 27-and-over rate.
3.3 Membership. The member rate applies to indirect members of the European Choral Association: members of ECA member organisations in categories A1 and A2, and Friends of the European Choral Association. Proof of membership (e.g. membership invoice, proof of payment or membership card) must be uploaded, and membership fees must be paid by 15 January 2027. The Organiser verifies membership after registration closes. If membership cannot be confirmed, the non-member rate applies.
- For choirs that are members of an ECA member organisation, the member rate applies to all members of the choir.
- For choirs or legal entities that are Friends of the ECA, the member rate applies to up to two persons from that choir or organisation.
- For individual members (e.g. Category A2 or individual Friends), the member rate applies only to that person.
3.4 Payment schedule
|
Instalment |
Amount |
Deadline |
|
Registration fee |
€80 per person for international participants; €40 per person for participants resident in Latvia |
Within 30 days of registration, but no later than 15 January 2027 |
|
Participation fee (remaining balance) |
Participation fee minus the registration fee paid |
31 March 2027 |
|
Meal packages (if ordered) |
See Section 6.2; invoiced separately in spring 2027 |
As stated on the invoice |
|
Transportation / transfers (if ordered) |
See Section 6.3; invoiced separately in spring 2027 |
As stated on the invoice |
|
Accommodation booked through the Festival |
According to the booking |
31 May 2027 |
If the registration fee is not paid within this period, the registration is not confirmed and may be cancelled. Any change in the number of participants, ages or membership status before the change deadline will be reflected in the final invoice, which states the total amount, the amount already paid and the balance due.
3.5 What is included. The participation fee includes: one main atelier; daily Open Singing; participation in a Choir-to-Choir concert (if allocated); at least one atelier concert per day on Days 4 and 5; one guest concert ticket per festival day; the Open Singing songbook; and the festival programme book.
3.6 What is not included. Sheet music for ateliers, travel, accommodation, meals and insurance.
3.7 Payment methods.
Bank transfer is the preferred payment method whenever possible, especially if a free SEPA transfer is available. Credit card payments should only be used if a bank transfer is not available or would involve additional fees.
For groups and choirs, a single payment is made for the entire group. Invoices are issued to the individual participant, the group representative, or the choir as a legal entity, as applicable.
International bank transfers must be sent using SWIFT charge code OUR. The Organiser must receive the full invoiced amount. All bank transfer fees must be covered by the payer. All payments must be made in euros (EUR).
3.8 VAT. Participation fees are not subject to VAT. Meal packages are subject to Latvian VAT and are invoiced separately.
3.9 Costs before confirmation. The Organiser is not responsible for any costs incurred by participants prior to the confirmation of their registration and participation in the specific atelier, including travel and transportation expenses (Section 6.3), insurance costs (Section 6.4), or any other expenses related to participation in the Festival.
4. Cancellation by the participant
The registration fee is fully refundable until 15 January 2027, payments towards the balance are refundable until 31 March 2027, and nothing is refunded after 31 March 2027.
|
Cancellation received |
Registration fee (€80 per person for international participants, €40 per person for participants resident in Latvia) |
Amounts paid towards the balance |
|
On or before 15 January 2027 |
Refunded in full |
Refunded in full |
|
16 January – 31 March 2027 |
Not refunded |
Refunded in full |
|
After 31 March 2027, or no-show |
Not refunded |
Not refunded |
4.1 How to cancel. Cancellations must be sent in writing to by the registered contact person. The date the email is received determines the applicable refund.
4.2 Partial cancellations. The same rules apply per person when a group or choir reduces its number of participants.
4.3 Refunds. Refunds are made to the original payer using the original payment method, within 30 days of the cancellation being confirmed. Bank charges are not refunded.
4.4 Meals and accommodation. Meal packages and accommodation are subject to their own terms (Section 6). Unused meals are not refunded. Accommodation, once paid, is non-refundable, except as set out in Sections 5.4 and 6.1.
4.5 Visa refusal and other personal reasons. Illness, travel problems, refusal of a visa or any other personal circumstance do not entitle the participant to a refund beyond what is stated above. We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance that covers cancellation costs, including the participation fee and any non-refundable travel and accommodation expenses.
4.6 Substitutions and changes. Participants may be added, removed or replaced, and registration data updated, through the registration system until the change deadline set by the Organiser. A replacement participant must meet the requirements of the assigned atelier, and the fee is recalculated according to the replacement’s age, country of residence and membership status. Festival badges are personal and may not be transferred.
5. Changes and cancellation by the Organiser
If the Festival is cancelled due to force majeure, the Organiser refunds all amounts paid except, to the extent permitted by applicable law, a €25 handling fee per person; meal package payments are refunded in full.
5.1 Programme changes. The Organiser may change the programme, schedule, venues, atelier conductors, the duration of ateliers and the day of final performances (Day 4 or Day 5), where necessary. Such changes do not entitle participants to a refund. Changes to atelier schedules may still be made in spring 2027.
5.2 Number of registrations. If fewer than 3,000 participants register, the Organiser will adapt the programme and hold the Festival on a smaller scale. Participants will be informed of any resulting changes in early March 2027.
5.3 Cancelled ateliers. If an atelier is cancelled because of insufficient registrations, affected participants will be placed in one of their other preferred ateliers or, where that is not possible, offered a comparable alternative.
5.4 Force majeure. Force majeure means circumstances beyond the Organiser’s reasonable control, including natural disasters, extreme weather, epidemics, war, acts of terrorism, civil unrest, government restrictions or decisions of public authorities that prevent the Festival from taking place. In this case the Organiser refunds the amounts paid, minus, to the extent permitted by applicable law, a handling fee of €25 per person. Payments for festival meal packages are refunded in full. For accommodation booked through the Festival, see Section 6.1.
5.5 Limitation. Beyond the refunds described in this section, the Organiser is not liable for travel, insurance, visa or other costs incurred by participants because of changes to or cancellation of the Festival.
6. Accommodation, meals, travel, insurance and visas
Accommodation, meals, travel and insurance are not included in the participation fee and are subject to the terms below.
6.1 Accommodation. The Organiser has reserved most of Liepāja’s accommodation for participants from 9 to 15 August 2027. Accommodation can be requested through the registration system until 1 March 2027 and is allocated after registration closes on a first-come, first-served basis, according to preferences and availability. Accommodation is limited and cannot be guaranteed. Participants may also arrange their own accommodation.
- Hotel bookings made through the Festival can be cancelled in full or in part without any penalty until 31 March 2027. Cancellations after 31 March 2027 are subject to the conditions of the accommodation provider.
- Invoices for hotel services must be paid in full (100%) by 31 May 2027.
- If the participant has not paid the invoice for hotel accommodation by 31 May 2027, the hotel has the right to cancel that participant’s reservation unilaterally.
- Once paid, the booking is non-refundable. If you reduce the number of guests or cancel all or part of the reservation, the provider may retain the full amount. Please confirm your final number of guests before paying.
- If the Festival is cancelled due to force majeure (Section 5.4), or in other exceptional situations, the Organiser will assess each case individually together with the accommodation providers and inform participants of the available options. Any refund of accommodation payments depends on the conditions of the accommodation provider.
- We strongly recommend taking out travel insurance that also covers accommodation cancellation costs.
- The accommodation contract is between the participant and the accommodation provider. The Organiser acts only as an intermediary and is not liable for the provider’s services.
6.2 Meals. Meal packages can be ordered during registration:
|
Package |
Price per person per day |
|
Lunch |
€15 |
|
Lunch + dinner |
€25 |
Packages must be booked for the entire stay; individual meals or days cannot be booked. Prices include VAT. Meal invoices are issued in spring 2027, once final numbers and dietary requirements are confirmed. Unused meals are not refunded. Dietary requirements (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free) must be indicated in the registration.
6.3 Travel. Participants arrange and pay for their own travel to and from Liepāja. Any transfers or charter flights the Organiser may offer will be announced in spring 2027 and are subject to separate terms.
6.4 Insurance. All participants must have valid health, accident and liability insurance for their entire stay. Insurance is not provided by the Organiser. We strongly recommend travel insurance that also covers cancellation costs.
6.5 Visas and entry to Latvia.
The list of countries whose citizens may enter Latvia without a visa is available here.
Citizens of certain countries outside the European Economic Area (EEA) need a short-stay Schengen visa to enter Latvia. Some travellers may also be required to submit an Electronic Travel Declaration before entering Latvia, even if they do not need a visa.
The Festival organisers can provide an official invitation letter to support the visa application process only after the participant has completed registration, paid the registration fee and confirmed their accommodation booking.
Participants are responsible for obtaining all necessary travel documents and visas in time and covering all related costs. Participants are advised to start the visa application process well in advance of the festival. The Festival organisers cannot guarantee that a visa will be issued and are not responsible for visa refusals or delays in the application process.
6.6 Participants under 18. Participants under 18 must be registered by, and travel with, a choir or group whose leader is an adult. Choir and group leaders are responsible for the supervision and wellbeing of minors in their group throughout the Festival, including outside programme hours, and for obtaining the consent of parents or legal guardians to participation and to these Terms and Conditions. Individual participants under 18 must register together with a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult.
7. Conduct, liability, data protection and final provisions
7.1 Conduct. Participants are expected to treat fellow participants, conductors, staff, volunteers and the people of Liepāja with respect, and to follow the instructions of the Organiser and venue rules. The Organiser may exclude from the Festival, without refund, any participant whose behaviour seriously disrupts the Festival or endangers others.
7.2 Festival badge. The festival badge is personal and non-transferable. It must be worn at festival venues and shown on request.
7.3 Liability. Participants take part at their own risk. The Organiser is not liable for loss of or damage to personal belongings, instruments or sheet music, nor for injury or illness, except where caused by the Organiser’s gross negligence or intent. Participants are liable for any damage they cause to venues, accommodation or equipment.
7.4 Data protection. Personal data provided during registration is processed by the Organiser together with the European Choral Association and Foundation “Liepāja 2027” as joint controllers, in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679, for the purpose of organising the Festival and communicating with participants. Data is shared with the registration platform (Mitto Events), the payment provider, accommodation providers and other service providers only to the extent needed to deliver the Festival. Uploaded identity and membership documents are used only to verify age and membership, stored with restricted access, and deleted after the Festival. Participants may request access to, correction or deletion of their data at . After the Festival, participants may receive a survey by e-mail, as described in the Privacy Policy. Full details are given in the Privacy Policy, which participants confirm they have read when registering.
7.5 Photo, video and audio recordings. The Festival will be photographed, filmed and recorded in audio, audiovisual and visual form, and may be broadcast or streamed. Participants may appear in such material. The Organiser may use the recordings in any form, in whole or in part, for documentation, reporting to funders and promotion of the Festival and future EUROPA CANTAT festivals, in all countries and without time limit, and may transfer these rights to third parties, including the European Choral Association and Foundation “Liepāja 2027”. This is based on the Organiser’s legitimate interest in documenting and promoting the Festival. Participants may object where they are directly identifiable in a specific material and it is technically possible to remove them from it or to stop using it, as described in Section 6.1 of the Privacy Policy. Contact persons confirm that they have informed all members of their registration, including the parents or legal guardians of minors.
7.6 Communication. All communication takes place by email to the address given in the registration. Please check your inbox, including your spam folder, regularly. For groups and choirs, information is sent to the contact person only.
7.7 Governing law and disputes. These Terms and Conditions are governed by the laws of the Republic of Latvia. The parties will try to settle any dispute amicably; otherwise, disputes are settled by the courts of the Republic of Latvia.
7.8 Changes to these terms. The Organiser may update these Terms and Conditions where necessary. The version accepted at the time of registration applies, unless changes are required by law or by force majeure. If there is any conflict between these terms and other festival information (including the FAQ), these Terms and Conditions prevail.