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The 2026 PIF Castelfidardo 51st Accordion Festival will take place from 09 – 13 September 2026. The 51st PIF Castelfidardo Festival will be celebrated at the “home of the accordion” Castelfidardo.

Also announced in 2025, was the new PIF Artistic Director: Cesare Chiacchiaretta. The choice was officially announced at a press conference in the City Council office, Castelfidardo.

Cesare Chiacchiaretta, born in Chieti, Italy, is an acclaimed accordionist, composer and bandoneonist celebrated for his artistry in tango and contemporary music. He began studying accordion at a young age under Maestro Claudio Calista at the Accademia Musicale Pescarese, graduating with honors from the Conservatory “N. Piccinni” of Bari in 1995. Later, he refined his technique with famous masters including Max and Christiane Bonnay, Vladimir Zubitsky, and Mogens Ellegaard.

Chiacchiaretta has won prestigious competitions, notably first prize at the 1993 International “Città di Castelfidardo” contest, and represented Italy. He performs worldwide as a soloist and chamber musician, captivating audiences across Europe, the Americas, and beyond with his expressive interpretations and is well known for his compositions.

He is currently an accordion teacher at the Conservatory “T. Schipa” in Lecce, Apulia, Italy.

Mayor Roberto Ascani stressed how Chiacchiaretta represents the ideal linking point between the past and future of PIF, thanking Antonio Spaccarotella also for the great work done in the last years.

The PIF Castelfidardo Competitions and Festival is organised by the City Council of Castelfidardo led by Mayor Roberto Ascani, the Castelfidardo Pro Loco Tourist Association headed by Ruben Cittadini and 2026 PIF Artistic Director Cesare Chiacchiaretta.

Read the 2026 VIP Interview Aldo Belmonti/President Pro Loco/Castelfidardo – Italy

View the reports of the 2025 PIF Castelfidardo Festival at: https://accordions.news/2025-pif-castelfidardo-dates/
and view the 2025 Video Playlists of PIF Castelfidardo at:
https://accordions.news/video-playlist-pif-2025/

Further information about the festival, competition categories and entry will follow.

2026: Home | Rules | Video | 09 September | 10 September | 11 September | 12 September | 13 September | Results | Jury