"Pietro Tavani" Organetto and Diatonic Accordion Competition + Grape Festival

Two festivals, one folk soul

In the heart of the medieval town of Atri, in the province of Teramo (Abruzzo), the end of summer is marked by the sounds of the organetto and the colors of the grape harvest. The "Pietro Tavani" Organetto and Diatonic Accordion Competition and the historic Grape Festival create a late September atmosphere that blends Abruzzo's rich musical heritage with rural culture, drawing musicians, enthusiasts, and families from across the region and beyond.

The "Pietro Tavani" Competition: organetto in the spotlight

Hosted in the refined Municipal Theatre of Atri — the 1881 neoclassical jewel overlooking the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, often called the "jewelry box" — the competition is organized by the Associazione Rione San Domenico in collaboration with A.M.I.SA.D. APS and supported by the Municipality of Atri. The competition is divided into four sections: Organetto, Diatonic Accordion, Diatonic Accordion Plus, and Over 50, with categories based on birth year, from the youngest to adults. Each contestant performs two free-choice pieces.

• Official selection for the Italian Championship of organetto and diatonic accordion
• Awarding of the prestigious "Pietro Tavani" Trophy to the best contestants in each section
• Participation certificates and prizes for the top performers in every category
• Contestants scoring 97.50/100 or higher qualify for the Italian Championship

The competition brings the best of the national organetto scene to Atri, celebrating the instrument that symbolizes Abruzzo's folk music in a day dedicated to authentic tradition.

The Grape Festival: floats and harvest

The following day, the town comes alive with the Grape Festival, one of the most cherished events for the local community, organized by the Associazione Rione San Domenico with the involvement of local farms. The stars of the show are the decorated floats, which gather at Piazzale San Domenico and parade through the historic center to reach Piazza Duchi d'Acquaviva, where a jury awards the most beautiful and creative entries. Tractors, agricultural carts, allegorical displays about the harvest, and enthusiastic public participation make this festival a joyful celebration of rural culture and Atri's deep bond with its land.

Atri, an artistic gem among the most beautiful villages in Abruzzo

Visiting Atri means discovering one of the most fascinating towns in the province of Teramo: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with its frescoes by Andrea Delitio, the Ducal Palace of the Acquaviva family, the medieval alleys, and, just outside the town, the spectacular Calanchi Nature Reserve managed by the WWF. The "Pietro Tavani" Competition and the Grape Festival are the perfect opportunity to experience this corner of Abruzzo through music, tradition, and stunning landscapes.