From 22 to 25 October 2026, Prague will host the International Accordion Days in Prague, an international accordion competition at the Conservatory of the Czech capital.

The event will bring together performers, professionals and young talents from across the international accordion scene, including Mirco Patarini, President of the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes (International Accordionists’ Confederation), who will take part in a dual capacity, as president of the competition jury, and as a performer.

In addition to the competition, the programme will feature several musical events outside the contest, including the gala concert “Route 66”, scheduled for Friday, 23 October, at 8 p.m. at the Prague Conservatory, after the first day of competition.

Maestro Patarini will be one of the evening’s leading performers, joining Stefan Hippe and Ladislav Horák as soloists in a programme featuring compositions by Hippe, Kukal and Di Marino, accompanied by the NeoKlasik Orchestra conducted by Václav Dlask.

All born in 1966, the three accordionists will embark on their own personal “Route 66” with this project, a musical journey linking their three hometowns. Starting in Horák’s Prague, they will perform the same programme on 2 November in Hippe’s Nuremberg, before concluding their journey in Patarini’s Spoleto at the Strumenti&Musica Festival.

The dual role held by the Italian accordionist on this occasion reflects his commitment to the international accordion scene, both as a performer and as an institutional figure, contributing to the promotion of the repertoire and the development of the next generation of performers.

The full programme for International Accordion Days in Prague is available on the organization’s website, where one can find information regarding venues and timetables of the events and competition. Being part of the audience of the contest organised by the CTA Agency Prague in partnership with the Czech Accordion Association and of the opening concert is free.

On the other hand, to hear the “Route 66” concert, tickets can be purchased
online, with a discounted rate for students under 26.