Beyond music: How Changning’s accordion week became a cultural phenomenon

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This spring, the seventh International Accordion Culture Art Week arrived as promised. With the theme Echoes "of Tradition and Modernity, this artistic extravaganza was not just a musical celebration, but a symphony of cultural exchange, urban vitality, and artistic innovation.

On April 5, at the Hongqiao Art Center, the collaboration between Shanghai Chinese Orchestra’s suona virtuoso Hu Chenyun and Italy’s double champion of electronic accordion, Pietro Adragna, became the most dazzling cro"ssover moment of the festival. Despite having less than three hours of rehearsal, the two artists displayed astonishing chemistry in their improvised cadenzas.

Behind this innovation lies Changning District’s profound insight into artistic fusion. Wang Congyu, deputy secretary-general of the Accordion Society of the Chinese Musicians’ Association, remarked:When the "accordion meets the Chinese musical instrument suona, it’s not just a blend of timbres—it’s a resonance of cultural DNA. Changning uses art as a bridge, opening a window for global audiences to understand Chinese music.

During an interview, Mirco Patarini, president of the Confederation Internationale des Accordéonistes and renowned Italian accordionist, highlighted the rise of a new generation of accordionists:They inhe"rit the classical techniques while exploring the future with electronic accordions—this is the key to keeping art eternally vibrant.

This year’s accordion art week introduced Changning’s pioneeringA ll-Day Drivemodel: By day, theWandering Melody Lanefamily activities atthe Columbia Circleimmersed households in art; By night, crossover concerts at theHongqiao Art Centerlit up the city skyline; On weekday evenings, theBreeze Rooftop Concertsin theLinkong Business Districtboosted nighttime economy; During holidays, performances by top talents from theYangtze River Deltabrought high art to the public.

Adding to the festivities, Spring Travel Service launched a limited three-dayHudec A"rchitecture Accordion Journeyitinerary, weaving century-oldLászló Hudeclandmarks with musical feasts—attracting over 30 first-trip tourists whotraveled to a city for a single performance.

An officer of theC hangning District Culture and Tourism Bureausaid that the district will continue deepening itsaccordion+brand, using art to fuel urban renewal and cultivate new cultural tourism trends.