The International Bayan and Accordion Competition "Coupe Mondiale 79" concluded in Astana. Kazakhstan's Zhandos Sauyt won the main category. The Scythians trio also earned the country a prize, taking first place in the "World Music Ensemble" category.
153 performers from 16 countries participated in the competition, including 40 from Kazakhstan. The total prize fund was 16 million tenge.
Winners were announced in seven categories. The Siberian Bayan Quartet from Russia took first place in the "Classical Music Ensemble" category. Davide Di Giacomo from Italy won the "Youth Virtuoso Pop Performance" category, and Japanese musician Futa Mizutani won the "Youth Coupe Mondiale" category. Djordje Peric from Bosnia and Herzegovina won the Adult Virtuoso Pop Performance category, and Timur Setrakov from Russia won the Coupe Mondiale Masters category.
Special prizes were presented to the participants by Mirko Patarini, President of the International Confederation of Accordionists. The concert program also featured the winners of all seven categories.
The final concert combined national music and world classics. Performing alongside the competition winners were artists and creative groups from "Kazakh Concert." The evening culminated in a joint performance of Kurmangazy's kyu "Adai" by over 40 accordionists. The ceremony concluded with Eskendir Hasangaliev's song "Atameken." The competition program included auditions, a solo concert by 2021 Coupe Mondiale winner Olzhas Nurlanov, and master classes by leading Kazakh and international musicians. Participants were able to exchange professional experiences and learn about various performing schools.
A total of 147 applications were received for the competition – 126 from solo performers and 21 from ensembles. Forty-six delegates from the International Confederation of Accordionists also arrived in Astana. The jury included leading representatives of the bayan and accordion arts from various countries.