The Diatonic Button Accordion is the most popular instrument in Slovenia

The oldest accordion made in Slovenia was crafted in 1892 by Anton Murovec . At the beginning of the 20th century, the diatonic accordion was the only type of accordion used for outdoor performances in Slovenia.

Diatonic accordions in Slovenia were traditionally handmade by local artisans. One of the first manufacturers of the diatonic accordion was Franc Lubas (1862-1933), who was crafting them even before World War I. Mass production of accordions began with the musical instrument factory Melodija Mengeš after 1972. Today, there are many other accordion manufacturers besides Melodija. The best-known among the high-quality brands are Rutar and Zupan.

Masters of Diatonic Accordion Playing

Some of the greatest masters and those most responsible for the popularity and preservation of diatonic accordion playing include Lojze Slak, Franc Štuhec, and others.

A major breakthrough in this genre of music, from amateur to professional, was achieved by the giants of Slovenian folk music – the Avsenik brothers, Slavko and Vilko Avsenik. Their song Golica is still considered the most frequently played instrumental piece in the world.

In 2017, Slovenian folk music was also included in the Register of Slovenia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Slovenians are still among the best in the world

Younger generations of accordion players are also putting diatonic accordion playing on the global map. In 2015, then 24-year-old Nejc Pačnik became a world champion; he was also the European champion in 2007 and the youth world champion in 2009. In 2023, Anže Krevh became the new Guinness World Record holder for continuous diatonic accordion playing.

He played 250 songs, including Golica and V dolini tihi, performing for a total of 53 hours, 53 minutes, and 53 seconds.

Prior to him, French musician Christelle held the record, playing for 51 hours, 43 minutes, and 40 seconds.

Because World Accordion Day is celebrated on May 6th, an annual event is organized in Bled, and this year was no exception. At the 2024 Golden Accordion of Bled event, 450 accordion players performed. They played famous Slovenian songs like Otoček sredi jezera, Na golici, and Čebelar. There was also a procession of accordions and a concert featuring various folk music ensembles.

The Diatonic Accordion Association of Slovenia (ZDHS), based in Ljubljana, was established to unite and achieve the common goals of accordion societies and clubs, teachers, and music schools.

Meetings and Competitions One indicator of the popularity of the diatonic accordion in Slovenia is the large number of various events, seminars, gatherings, and competitions. The most prestigious among them is the Golden Accordion competition. The first event was held in 1981, with Miro Klinc as the first winner. In addition to the Golden Accordion, many local competitions take place, and the World Accordion Championship is also highly prestigious.