The 4th Carinthian Harmonica Competition took place in Weitensfeld, Carinthia, Austria last month. The aim of the competition “is to promote Carinthian folk music and to search for the best harmonica player in the province of Carinthia on the one hand, and to create an attractive performance platform and the public presentation of high-quality folk music in Carinthia on the other.”

The final took place as part of the “Strohmaier-Kirchtag” at the market square in Weitensfeld in the Gurktal. Finalists had to prepare two pieces, one of which had to be a piece from Carinthia.

Seven finalists qualified for the final round of the 2025 competition:

Gabriel Bürger (Ebenthal)
Samuel Fleischhacker (Feldkirchen)
Felix Lindschinger (St. Salvator)
Simone Pogatschnig (Kraig)
Laura Rampitsch (Neuhaus)
Fabrice Schmiedmeier (Ebenthal)
Paul Zwitter (Feistritz/Gail)

Results as reported by ORF.at

1st place: Laura Rampitsch who was praised by the jury for her technical skills and musicality, but also for her particularly positive charisma on stage.

2nd place: Paul Zwitter

3rd place: Fabrice Schmiedmeier.

The Jury consisted of Katharina Baschinger, Peter Brunner, Matthias Ortner and Fabian Wilhelmer.

Prizes featured:
1st place: A Styrian accordion (an exclusive special model) and a traditional outfit.
2nd place: 500 euro voucher for a harmonica and a voucher worth 500 euro for a traditional costume.
3rd place: 300 euro voucher for a harmonica and a voucher worth 300 euro for a traditional costume.