February 2013 brings the 15th annual Kokkola Winter Accordion festival. Year after year, this vibrant, versatile and ever-evolving festival brings warmth and refreshment to the community amid the mid-winter chill.
A week-long event
The festival offers a week-long program of exciting, versatile and cutting-edge performances and this year is no exception. Among them are Mimmit’s children’s concert, “War Makes Its Music” under the direction of Seppo Hovi; Young Virtuosos Let Loose; Accordion Goes Laser; Jonna Pirttijoki Makes an Impression; and traditional accordion music will flow in the Kallentori and throughout town, indoors and out. Last, but by no means least, accordion master Richard Galliano will perform as guest soloist with the famed Central Ostrobothnia Chamber Ochestra.
Perhaps the crowning performance of this event-packed festival is Guardia Nueva’s grand concert on Saturday, February 23rd. Soloists at this Snellman Hall performance include Arja Koriseva, Tomi Metsäketo, Karleby’s own Sami Heinonen and Jonna Pirttijoki. Topping off the event are Sunday’s events, among them accordion skiing, Falling leaves – the accordion parade, and Sunday’s Big Dance, which will last well into the evening.
