1st South Tyrolean Zither Festival

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With the South Tyrol Zither Festival 2026, South Tyrol will celebrate its first weekend dedicated entirely to the diversity, vitality and future of the zither instrument. On 6 and 7 February 2026, the Castaneum Feldthurns will be transformed into a musical meeting place that connects generations, regions and styles.

Festival program
Friday, 6 February 2026
• Opening concert (7 p.m.)
The first South Tyrolean festival kicks off with a colourful mix of South Tyrolean folk music: Schuplattlergitschen, Stubenmusik, wind instruments, family music and singing come together, with the warm sound of the zither at the heart of it all.
• Evening concert (8:30 p.m.)
"NILfahrt. Mysterien einer Zitherpartie" (Journey on the Nile. Mysteries of a zither piece) – a musical-literary collage by Ruth Geiersberger and Georg Glasl. Historical texts, contemporary travel experiences and zither sounds – including the "Nilfahrtwalzer" (Waltz of the Journey on the Nile) – intertwine in an atmospheric evening.

Saturday, 7 February 2026
• Yodelling workshop with Hedwig Roth (9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
An open, lively introduction to traditional and experimental yodelling – no prior knowledge required.
• Short concerts at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Young talents from South Tyrol present solo programmes.
• Workshop discussion (4:00 p.m.)
University lecturers Tajda Krajnc from HMTM Munich, Martin Mallaun from Bruckner Private University Linz and Leopold Hurt from Hamburg University of Music and Theatre discuss with Reinhilde Gamper and Wolfgang Praxmarer: "The zither today – and tomorrow. Possibilities, developments and music of the future".
• ZITHERTREFF 2026 (6:00 p.m.)
Highlight: Youth concert with the world premiere of the suite "Perspectives" by Daniel Pupp.
• Festival closing concert (8:00 p.m.)
CORDES Y BUTONS – The combination of zither, violin, Styrian harmonica and vocals makes their sound unmistakable: sometimes delicate and poetic, sometimes rhythmic and powerful. CORDES Y BUTONS show how young, lively and boundless music from South Tyrol can sound.

Accompanying program
• Sheet music exhibition by Ilse Bauer-Zwonar (A) and instrument exhibition by zither maker Klemens Kleitsch (D)
• Sound installation in St. Anthony's Church – an experimental sound experience

Admission free – donations welcome.

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