Event
8th Kraków Accordion Festival
The Sącz Region Museum is a partner of the 8th Kraków Accordion Festival, taking place from October 11 to 18, 2026. Two concerts will be held at the Sącz Ethnographic Park and the Galician Town.
This year’s edition comprises eight events showcasing the sonic diversity and capabilities of the modern accordion. Once again, the 8th Kraków Accordion Festival creates a space where diverse performance traditions meet contemporary artistic exploration, presenting the accordion as an instrument featured in classical repertoire as well as in the latest, improvised, and interdisciplinary music.
The program features, among other events, an inaugural concert showcasing the music of Karol Szymanowski, the *Conversion Teamlog* intermedial concert, and a tango-themed evening featuring artists from France and Argentina.
A highlight of the festival will be the 13th World Premiere Concert, presenting new works by Polish composers. The program also includes music by Astor Piazzolla; additionally, a concert combined with the film competition gala will feature live improvised music accompanying a screening of the 1921 silent film *The Phantom Carriage* (*Furman śmierci*). This year’s edition also explores the accordion’s interaction with the human voice, electronics, synthesizers, and improvisation—forms that transcend the instrument's traditional role.
The festival will also travel to Nowy Sącz for an "Accordion Day" at the Galician Town (Miasteczko Galicyjskie). The grand finale will be a concert by Marcin Wyrostek and the Silesian Philharmonic String Quintet. The lineup of performers includes Magdalena Kulig, Piotr Lempa, Maciej Zimka, and Wiesław Ochwat, alongside artists from France, Italy, and Argentina.
Accompanying the festival are the "Capture the Elusive" film competition, the Adam Kaczyński National Composition Competition, "Plazyka" workshops, instrumental workshops, and exhibitions of photography and graphic scores.
You can find the detailed program of the 8th Krakow Accordion Festival at the following link: https://krakowskifestiwalakordeonowy.pl/repertuar-2026/
A highlight of the festival will be the 13th World Premiere Concert, presenting new works by Polish composers. The program also includes music by Astor Piazzolla; additionally, a concert combined with the film competition gala will feature live improvised music accompanying a screening of the 1921 silent film *The Phantom Carriage* (*Furman śmierci*). This year’s edition also explores the accordion’s interaction with the human voice, electronics, synthesizers, and improvisation—forms that transcend the instrument's traditional role.
The festival will also travel to Nowy Sącz for an "Accordion Day" at the Galician Town (Miasteczko Galicyjskie). The grand finale will be a concert by Marcin Wyrostek and the Silesian Philharmonic String Quintet. The lineup of performers includes Magdalena Kulig, Piotr Lempa, Maciej Zimka, and Wiesław Ochwat, alongside artists from France, Italy, and Argentina.
Accompanying the festival are the "Capture the Elusive" film competition, the Adam Kaczyński National Composition Competition, "Plazyka" workshops, instrumental workshops, and exhibitions of photography and graphic scores.
You can find the detailed program of the 8th Krakow Accordion Festival at the following link: https://krakowskifestiwalakordeonowy.pl/repertuar-2026/