The 2026 Taihu Lake "Golden Cup" International Accordion Art Festival kicked off on Aug 7 with an opening concert at the Wuxi International Conference Center in Wuxi, showing the instrument's versatility and strengthening international ties within the accordion community.
Nearly 1,000 accordionists and enthusiasts from China and abroad have gathered in this Chinese city, also a UNESCO City of Music, for competitive events, public performances and academic forums.
Accordionists perform at the opening concert of the 2026 Taihu Lake "Golden Cup" International Accordion Festival. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
Friday night's opening concert offered a rich blend of Eastern and Western repertoire. A collaborative piece titled Beautiful Jiangnan brought together Chinese and foreign musicians in a fresh interpretation of the region's musical heritage.
"The accordion is often called a 'one-man band'. Its sound is grand and richly textured, which gives it a unique place on the world stage," said Liu Zhao, China's first professional accordionist. "Since Wuxi was named a City of Music, the musical atmosphere here has become even more vibrant."
Children play the accordion at the opening concert of the 2026 Taihu Lake "Golden Cup" International Accordion Festival. [Photo/Wuxi Daily]
Russian accordionist Jevgenia Siros, making her second visit to China, expressed delight at performing in Wuxi. In addition to traditional Russian pieces, she said she would explore repertoire inspired by the Jiangnan region during her stay.
Highlights of the festival include a dedicated Russian virtuoso concert and a Night with Accordion Masters event. Meanwhile, amateur accordionists from across China will compete in age-group categories throughout the event.
During the festival, participants will tour the Golden Cup Angel Musical Instruments' factory to experience firsthand the manufacturing vitality behind Wuxi's instrument-making sector.
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