Civitella Organetto Festival

An organetto competition in the heart of Abruzzo

The Civitella Organetto Festival is a musical event held in Civitella Casanova, a charming mountain village in the province of Pescara, Abruzzo. It is a dedicated competition for the organetto and diatonic accordion, instruments deeply rooted in the region's folk culture. The competition is recognized as an official qualifying round for the Italian Championship, making it a key event for those dedicated to this musical tradition.

Venue and Organization

The festival takes place in the Aula Magna of the "Benedetto Croce" Secondary School, located at Via Marconi 50. The event is the result of a collaboration between the Municipality of Civitella Casanova and the A.M.I.SA.D. a.p.s. association (Italian Musical Association for Reed and Diatonic Instruments), with the support of the C.D.M.I. of Recoaro Terme and the "Amici della Musica" association of San Benedetto del Tronto.

Competition Structure

The competition is open to Italian citizens and those with dual citizenship, featuring various instrumental sections with categories divided by birth year:

• Organetto (with various numbers of rows and bass buttons)
• Diatonic Accordion
• Diatonic Accordion Plus
• An Over-50 section reserved for more mature competitors

Each contestant performs two pieces of their choice before a jury of expert musicians. Participants who achieve a score of 97.50/100 or higher, excluding the Over-50 section, qualify for the Italian Championship of that year.

The Organetto: Abruzzo's Heritage

The organetto is a symbol of Abruzzo's folk music, having accompanied local festivals, saltarelli dances, and traditional village celebrations in the mountain hinterland for generations. Civitella Casanova, nestled in the Vestina area at the foot of the Gran Sasso, has preserved a rich heritage of traditions and folklore for centuries, ranging from religious celebrations to rural customs. The Organetto Festival fits naturally into this context, offering young musicians a stage to grow and the community a chance to rediscover and pass on their musical identity.

A Young Yet Well-Established Event

Launched in 2025, the festival immediately attracted competitors from various Italian cities, confirming the growing interest in the organetto and diatonic accordion. The second edition in 2026 consolidated its format, establishing it as a reference point on the national scene for these instruments.