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2003 Winter Congress
March 1-3, 2003 Helsinki, Finland |
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Confederation
Internationale des Accordeonistes (CIA)
Kansainvälinen Harmonikkaliitto CIA Talvikokous
2003 / Winter Congress 2003 |
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Please
note: This page reviews the kind hospitality of the Finnish Accordion
Association, the Ikaalinen Accordion Festival and the Finnish Accordion
Institute during the recent Winter Congress held in Finland. Details
concerning meetings, such as minutes from the meeting of the General
Assembly and Music Committee, as well as other details concerning the
CIA will be mailed to CIA Members.
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Saturday, 1st March 2003 | |
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Delegates representing the United Kingdom,
USA/New Zealand, Austria, France, Russia, Hungary, Finland and Denmark
arrived at the Hotel Sokos Vaakuna in Helsinki, Finland for the 109th
General Assembly of the CIA.
The General Assembly opened with three performances by young Finnish accordionists Johanna Tiainen and Harri and Henri Arvila. The program was as follows: |
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Meetings were held discussing the business of the CIA and the upcoming Coupe Mondiale in Slovakia and Hungary. At the conclusion of the General Assembly, the delegates enjoyed a dinner as guests of the Finnish Accordion Association. |
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Sunday, 2nd March 2003 | |
![]() Pictured from left to right are CIA Delegates: Kimmo Mattila (and daughter), Raymond Bodell, Frederic Deschamps, Panna Grigoncza, Giullaume Rollet, Viatchislav Semionov, John Leslie, Kevin Friedrich and Jacques Mornet. |
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![]() ![]() The annual cruise features non stop accordion music of many styles, including Finnish Folk Music and dancing, Cajun, Tex Mex, Jazz, accordion orchestras and ensembles, trade show displays of instruments, recordings and music and an accordion competition. Some of the performances were impromptu ones where entertainers both young and old played to the gathering crowds. Others were scheduled concerts by accordion orchestras groups and soloists. ![]() Accordion music is found all over the boat, including in the restaurants, hallways, bars, theaters, conference rooms, restaurants, and even over the intercom and on the TV. |
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![]() Delegates are pictured here during a quick break on the outside boat deck. Following the meeting CIA Delegates were guests of the Executive Committees of the Ikaalinen Accordion Festival, the Finnish Accordion Institute and the Finnish Accordion Association for an official dinner. |
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Monday, 3rd March 2003 | |
![]() ![]() The finals will be held as a TV show, where the contestants will also be required to relate to the audience and perform with a backing band, professional stage lighting and commentator. CIA Delegate Viatchislav Semionov served on the jury which saw an entire day of competition held in two rounds. ![]() Silver Accordion (Hopeinen Harmonikka) children under 10 years: Taneli Järvenpää, Hermanni Morander, Meeri Koskinen, Vilma Avikainen, Aino Kivikallio, Liisa Niinistö, Saara Wasama and Golden Accordion (Kultainen Harmonikka) without age limit, Elisa Inkinen, Tomi Karttunen, Henna-Maija Kuki, Janne Mäkinen, Satu Sarkoranta and Jonna Pirttijoki. |
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![]() After arrival back in Turku, delegates who had planned to travel back to Helsinki, were redirected for an impromptu visit to the town which serves as headquarters of Finnish accordion life, Ikaalinen. Of course the only way to get to Ikaalinen, is onboard the 'Accordion' bus! |
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Tuesday, 4th March 2003 | |
![]() Here delegates watch as CIA Vice President Kimmo Mattila demonstrates the technique of drilling through the ice to prepare the hole for fishing. |
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![]() ![]() The frozen lake provides a host of winter activities such as fishing, skiing and for the brave, even swimming after the Sauna. The frozen lake also provides a quick link between the opposite sides of the lake as locals drive across the ice. Apparently some cars are lost each year, as with the thinning ice in Spring, someone is tempted to try just one more time to cross the ice before the summer melting forces travelers to drive around the lake again. |
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![]() This nest sits in the tree outside the office of the Finnish Accordion Institute and is said to be quite a trendy home for nest makers during the season! With the bird nest in sight, next stop after fishing, CIA delegates were treated to a visit to the headquarters of the Ikaalinen Accordion Festival which holds its office in the same building as the Tourist Information Center, follwed by the home of the Finnish Accordion Association and the Finnish Accordion Institute. Much of Finland accordion life centers around these three important groups. The Ikaalinen Accordion Festival offers performances, with the summer festival and annual cruise attracting thousands. |
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![]() ![]() (It should also be mentioned that in addition to these three groups promoting the accordion, many conservatories also accept the accordion for studies, the most famous being the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki.) In addition, there is also an accordion Museum which houses over 100 instruments of various styles, including the 'Accordion Bench" demonstrated here (left) by Kimmo Mattila. Having the appearance of a piano stool, and having used it to sit on while testing some of the instruments, delegates were surprised when Kimmo went over and began to play it! |
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The above are pictures are also from the accordion museum. Kevin Friedrich plays one of the button instruments which was constructed to give the appearnace of a piano accordion as well. To the right you see some of the many instruments included in the collection. | |
![]() Many thanks to CIA Vice President Kimmo Mattila for organizing the Winter Congress in Finland and all the wonderful hospitality that was offered to the delegates. Also a special thank you to Minna Kulmala, the Ikaalinen Accordion Festival organizer for hosting the CIA delegates onboard the Silja Europa Finnish Accordion Cruise. It was a very interesting look into the Finnish accordion life and we are very grateful for the kind hospitality that was offered to us. We are very proud to have the Finnish Accordion Association as a CIA member and sincerely appreciate all the work they do on behalf of the accordion. |
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CIA Contact in Finland | |
For further information on any of the
accordion activities held in Finland, please contact Kimmo Mattlia,
CIA Vice President in Finland: kimmo.mattila@harmonikkaliitto.net |
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