Shanghai district shapes 'Musical Paradise' brand image

Artists perform at the "Shanghai Spring" Fifth International Accordion Culture and Art Festival. [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

The world's top accordion players from countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative demonstrated the vitality of contemporary accordion art during the "Shanghai Spring" Fifth International Accordion Culture and Art Festival, which was held from March 28 to April 4 in Changning district, Shanghai.

The event, which marked the 10th anniversary of the BRI, invited artists from countries like Italy, Russia, Poland, Serbia, and Brazil to perform in a stunning music gala for visitors from China and abroad.

From theaters, libraries, and parks to neighborhoods and commercial areas, Changning is shaping its brand image of being a musical paradise with a variety of activities, including the International Accordion Culture and Art Festival, the Changning Weekly Concert, and the Hongqiao International Grassland Music Festival.

"The performances allow people to feel the heritage and folk customs of the BRI countries," said a local attendee to the festival.

During this year's event, the Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes, a global entity encompassing national accordion organizations from around the world, as well as the Accordion Society of the China Musicians Association and the Accordion Professional Committee of the Shanghai Musician Association signed a memorandum of cooperation to launch the China Shanghai International Accordion Art Week in Shanghai starting in 2024.

The second International Accordion Culture and Art Festival in 2020 [Photo/Shanghai Observer]

The International Accordion Culture and Art Festival was first held in Shanghai in April 2019, during which accordion players from around the world performed in Anhui, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces to showcase the charm of the accordion.

A public cultural project led by the Changning culture and tourism bureau, the Changning Weekly Concert has held nearly 500 concerts over the past 17 years. In 2022, the Changning International Grassland Piano Music Festival was renamed as the Hongqiao International Grassland Music Festival.

Changning has supported new forms of musical platforms, such as Yuyintang and TZ Media Ltd. It has also cooperated with professional musical institutes, universities, and enterprises, including the Shanghai Chinese Orchestra, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra, Shanghai Normal University Music College, as well as iQiyi.

In 2019, Changning's original musical masterpieceHarmonywon the All-Star Award at the 18th China Arts Festival, while Changning's original harmonica ensembleFall in Love with This Citywon the All-Star Award at the 19th China Arts Festival in 2022.