
The sixth edition of the International Accordion Festival (FIA) 2024 captivated the Maule Region of Chile, bringing together over 70 musicians from Chile and around the world for a weeklong celebration of music, culture, and community. The festival ran from November 11 to 17, featuring performances, masterclasses, and community outreach programs across San Javier, Longaví, Curicó, and Talca.

The grand finale on November 17th at the Provincial Theater of Curicó marked a historic moment with the formation of Chile’s largest-ever accordion orchestra. Directed by Joaquín Muñoz Donoso, the National Accordion Orchestra of Chile (ONACH) performed alongside internationally acclaimed soloists Dragana Kuzmanovic (Serbia) and Diego Vitasovic (Croatia). The ensemble of over 50 accordionists delivered an unforgettable concert.

“The closing concert was an epic experience, of a magnitude never seen before in Chile. We brought together 50 accordionists to form the largest Accordion Orchestra in the country, a historical milestone. As a director, I am filled with emotion to have made this a reality. dream, especially when seeing the faces of children and older adults enjoying and being part of this unique event in our land,” said Joaquín Muñoz Donoso. “Seeing so many people excited and united around the accordion is something that fills the soul. This festival not only celebrates music, but also the human connection that it generates.”

Throughout the festival, more than 70 musicians participated in talks, master classes and concerts, in addition to an urban intervention that transformed the streets of the Maule Region into a sound canvas. These activities were complemented with visits to artistic schools and high schools, standing out as one of the most significant initiatives to foster a passion for the accordion among new generations.

Max Zagal, producer of the festival, stressed: “This year, FIA managed to unite tradition and innovation, demonstrating that an instrument like the accordion is still alive in the hearts of communities and that it has a promising future in the hands of young people in our country.” The event, organized by the Entre Fuelles Foundation with the support of the Chilean Accordion Institute and the Maule Accordionists Association, exceeded all expectations, attracting more than 3,500 spectators and consolidating itself as a unique cultural reference in Chile.

Regarding the spirit of the festival, Manuel Bustamante, coordinator of the event, stated: “FIA is a space where music transcends borders. Each edition brings us closer to our dream of making the accordion a universal and accessible instrument.”