10th Edition,
2025
Chișinău, September 6–7, 2025
ORGANIZERS
The “Golden Apple” Festival is organized by the NGO “Rafael Star”. The event takes place under the slogan: “Equally Talented!”
FESTIVAL PURPOSE
Promote light music and cultural diversity through vocal interpretation;
Encourage and launch young voices, regardless of nationality, social or physical condition;
Discover and support young talents in a professional, friendly, and open environment;
Integrate children and young people with disabilities into the international artistic scene;
Create a bridge of friendship and collaboration between young artists from around the world.
COMPETITION STRUCTURE
The festival is open to vocal performers—solo, duet, or group—and is divided into 13 distinct categories:
ROMANIAN LANGUAGE
1. Ages 5–7
2. Ages 8–10
3. Ages 11–13
4. Ages 14–16
5. Ages 17–19
6. Ages 20+
FOREIGN LANGUAGE
1. Ages 5–7
2. Ages 8–10
3. Ages 11–13
4. Ages 14–16
5. Ages 17–19
6. Ages 20+
GROUPS / DUETS
Groups / Duets (interpretation in any language)
PARTICIPATION CONDITIONS
1
Participants will perform one chosen song, in any language.
2
The song must not exceed 3 minutes.
3
Live performance with an audio backing track (MP3 or WAV).
4
The festival is open to everyone, including persons with disabilities.
All participants will be judged fairly.
Required materials:
Video clip with LIVE performance
Backing track of the song (WAV format preferred; MP3 accepted)
2–3 recent photos (portrait and/or on stage)
Short artistic CV (name, age, location, artistic activity)
Copy of birth certificate or ID/passport
Contact details (phone and email)
COMPETITION REGISTRATION
Registration is done online by August 15, 2025, by completing the participation form available at:
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Friday
September 5, 2025
- Arrival of international participants, airport transfer, and accommodation
- Official registration and materials distribution
Saturday
September 6, 2025
- Sound checks and stage orientation
- Main competition – live stage performances
Sunday
September 7, 2025
- Laureates’ Gala – award and trophy ceremony
- Festive concert with special guest
- Closing ceremony and official After Party
Monday
September 8, 2025
- Departure of international delegations
- Airport transfer
FEES AND ACCOMMODATION
🎟️ Participation Fee:
- 80 EUR / participant
- Free for participants with disabilities (includes accommodation + meals provided by organizers)
International Participant Package – 300 EUR / person:
- Accommodation from September 5–8, 2025
- Transport: airport–hotel–event
- Meals: breakfast + dinner daily
- Access to all festival activities: competition, gala, festivities, after party
- Full logistical assistance
GRUPURI/DUETE
⚠️ All international participants must arrive on September 5 and depart on September 8.
For further accommodation and pricing details, contact us at office@maruldeaur.md
AWARDS
First Place
🎖️ Each category will include the following awards:
‼️ All participants will receive personalized participation diplomas.
First Place
Second Place
Third Place
Category Trophy – 100 EUR
👑 Grand Prix (2 overall trophies):
- 1× Grand Prix for the “disabilities” section – 1000 EUR
- 1× Grand Prix for the “general” section – 1000 EUR
✨ Special prizes and mentions awarded for:
- Most original performance
- Best stage presence
- Youngest voice
- Audience favorite
- Jury’s Award
JUDGING CRITERIA
The jury will evaluate the following aspects:
Vocal qualities (intonation, timbre, range)
Interpretative technique
Originality of artistic moment
Stage presence and appearance
Difficulty and value of the song
Backing track quality
JURY
FINAL PROVISIONS
Grand Prix winners agree to perform (non-commercially) at the next edition’s Gala.
The registration fee is non-refundable.