After half a century of history, the Pyrenean Accordionists Gathering, initially launched by Artur Blasco in 1976 in Arsèguel, is entering its 51st edition with new artistic leadership. Cati Plana takes over as musical director, expressing her "excitement and gratitude" to continue Blasco's work, aiming to "nurture this 50-year legacy" and ensure the festival remains a community event.
Artur Blasco, while stepping down from musical direction, will continue to chair the organizing association, which also includes Cati Plana and Jordi Blasco. Blasco praised his successor as "the leading figure in Catalonia for the diatonic accordion," highlighting her "silent and essential work" for the musical future of the country's youth.
The 51st Gathering, with its full program to be unveiled on July 9th, will feature around ten concerts from July 24th to 27th. This year, the concerts will be held within the Alt Urgell comarca, with Arsèguel, la Seu d'Urgell, and Castellbò serving as the main venues. The festival will maintain international collaborations with events like the Carrefour Mondial de l’Accordéon in Quebec and the Ivan Malinin festival in Novosibirsk, while also showcasing musicians from across Catalonia.
“"IDAPA will always support the intangible heritage of our regions."
The presentation event, held Friday at the Consell Comarcal de l'Alt Urgell, underscored the institutional commitment to the festival. In addition to support from the Generalitat's Department of Culture and the Institut d’Estudis Ilerdencs, the Gathering is backed by the town councils of Arsèguel, la Seu d'Urgell, and Montferrer i Castellbò, the EMD of Castellbò, IDAPA, and the Consell Comarcal itself.
The comarca president, Josefina Lladós, emphasized the institution's long-standing involvement, highlighting the Alt Urgell's pride in continuing the legacy of Artur Blasco, a key figure in preserving popular memory. Gemma To, deputy mayor for Economic Promotion in la Seu d'Urgell, stressed that the Gathering is "not just culture but history" and expressed hope for its continuation for "many more years." Amàlia Sanz, Director of IDAPA, focused on the impact of research and recovery of the diatonic accordion, affirming the institution's support for intangible heritage.
