Video: 0:05:54 – beginning of the concert. Full program details at: 2024WADreport

March 16th. The All-Russian Day of Bayan, Accordion and Harmonica is celebrated each year (on the third Saturday in March) at the Gnesins RAM Concert Hall in Moscow. The Department of Bayan and Accordion of the Gnesins RAM established the event with project manager being Friedrich Lips.

The All-Russian Day of Bayan, Accordion and Harmonica is also Russia’s contribution to World Accordion Day (May 6th) because that date clashes with a Russian National Holiday, so for that reason, the All-Russian Day of Bayan, Accordion and Harmonica is held in March annually.

The Department of the Bayan and Accordion of the Gnesins RAM established the event with project manager, Friedrich Lips. The aim of the event is to become part of a national cultural project.

The initiative began in 2010 and demonstrated great enthusiasm in all regions of Russia, both from amateurs and professional musicians, and resulted in a truly national celebration.

It is worth noting that throughout the twentieth century these instruments were an integral part of the life of the peoples of Russia: Russians, Tatars, Bashkir, Ukrainians and many others and that the bayan, harmonica and accordion played an important role during the World War II of 1941-1945.