Valledupar will be the venue for the world encounter of accordion music

Tuesday, 23 June 2009 00:00

As a means of fostering cultural and tourist activities in Valledupar, the Vallenato Kings and Minstrels Foundation is organizing the First World Encounter of Accordion Music, to be held between June 24 and 27, 2009.

Musicians from several countries will attend the event to show diverse artistic expressions different from the vallenato, the region’s traditional music, in which the accordion is the dominant instrument.

According to Lolita Acosta, the director of the encounter, aside from being an opportunity to get to know traditions, dances, and music from other parts of the world, the contest is the opportunity to promote tourism to Valledupar, thus strengthening the economic activities derived from this cultural event.

Simultaneously with the presentations and concerts of participating musicians, dance and music workshops will take place, as well as chats between the artists and the public. Hence, a formative component will be added to the recreational and academic aspects.

Although the vallenato is the authentic music of the region, which sings to love, friends, and customs, during this First Encounter of Accordion Music, it will not be heard as much as usual, precisely because the event is about showing many other ways of playing the accordion.

During this First Encounter of Accordion Music, soloists and folk groups, both empirical and academic, will present genres like tango, milonga, waltz, rasguito doble, and chamamé, most of them with origins in Argentina, which will be executed by Argentinean accordionist Germán Fratarcangelli, one of the main guests, and Los Gaulos trio, also from Argentina.

DValledupar, located 880 km from Bogotá, is already preparing its tourist infrastructure to welcome participants and spectators to this novel encounter of accordion players.