The Algarve accordionist João Palma won the 43rd International Accordion Prize in Castelfidardo, Italy. The 18-year-old musician, born in Loulé, won the competition in the Virtuoso Junior category, becoming the first from the Algarve to achieve the feat.
This is one of the most important competitions in the accordion world, held every year in this Italian city, where the industrialization of the accordion began and where the main factories of this instrument are based. In this edition of the competition, more than 150 musicians from various countries participated.
In addition to João Palma, two more people from the Algarve participated in this competition. Pedro Gonçalves, from Olhão, took 8th place in the Virtuoso Júnior category and Hernâni Cerqueira, from Tunes, took 8th place in the Virtuoso Senior category.
The three accordionists are studying with Professor Nelson Conceição and were in Italy supported by the Municipality of Loulé, the Associação Mito Algarvio, the Associação Grupo dos Amigos de Loulé, the Regional Directorate of Culture of the Algarve, Beltuna, the Parish of São Clemente and the Union of Parishes of Moncarapacho and Fuseta.
Comments