Cremona, September 26, 2025 – The door to high-quality music officially opened today: Cremona Musica International Exhibitions and Festival 2025 kicked off, transforming the city of Cremona into the world capital of musical instruments for three intense days, from September 27 to 29. The traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony ushered in the only Italian and European fair of its kind to welcome over 400 exhibitors from 35 countries—Europe, the USA, Canada, Asia, and Australia—confirming its undeniable international vocation and position as a global platform for excellence. The program is already in full swing, celebrating tradition and innovation in every note and immediately welcoming enthusiasts, musicians, and professionals.
From classical to more modern instruments, from the romanticism of the evocative Historic Accordions exhibition to the rebellious and genre-defining Pagine di Rock exhibition, all the way to the Disklavier, the piano that enchants by playing itself, the 2025 edition of the international exhibition has already attracted thousands of visitors. A collection of over 5,000 pieces, of which I have selected two hundred, tells the story of rock from 1967 to 1980. Unique pieces include “taxi receipts taken by Queen drummer Roger Taylor, who used the pseudonym ‘Howie’ to book rides, and the Black Sabbath contract that Ozzy Osbourne initially refused to sign in 1970 because he was afraid to go on stage due to too many fights at concerts,” said Mariano Freschi, president of the Made in Rock APS Association.
Strolling through the two pavilions, symphonies unfold from one area to the next, starting with Mondomusica, where world-renowned luthiers showcase their finest high-quality instruments, and then moving on to the Acoustic Guitar Village, enlivened by displays of guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, and charangos. The Piano Experience welcomes pianists and builders, ready to present their latest innovations and launch competitions like the prestigious PianoLink International Amateurs Competition. Cremona Winds is also vibrant, with the launch of the second edition of the Cremona Band Festival, involving hundreds of musicians, and the Accordion Show, a tribute to the historic accordion. Also prominent at this edition are innovative areas, such as the Electric Sound Village, a hub for electric sound that bridges acoustic and modern luthiery, and the area dedicated to Crema’s organ-making art, an excellence that is presenting itself at the fair for the first time with educational events and concerts throughout the region.
“I have great expectations. This is one of the most important and internationalizing fairs in the sector,” said CremonaFiere President Roberto Biloni. “We have 53% foreign exhibitors and 25% of visitors from all over the world. Here in Cremona, there’s a family tree of instrument making and craftsmanship, a tradition, and a focus on young people who can approach electronic musical instruments. Bringing together the culture of the past with the future is the unique feature of this Fair.”
“I believe the real challenge for the future is to play a team role in a global context that seems to be getting worse day by day. Our region, the province of Cremona, is a positive example,” said Guido Guidesi, Lombardy Region Councilor for Economic Development. “It unites many nationalities in a single context, even as globally there are those who seek to divide them. I believe this grassroots signal is the true strength of these regions,” he concluded, noting the Region’s commitment to supporting the trade fair. “It’s important for these regions to be listened to more often: perhaps, by doing so, we could even avoid some mistakes.” Last but not least, the traditional “Fuori Salone” event has already begun livening up evocative locations in the historic centers of Cremona and Crema with shows and concerts, a reminder of the importance of teamwork for the event, thanks also to the collaboration with Invasioni Botaniche – Walk of Music – Aschedamini and ICE, the agency for the promotion abroad and the internationalization of Italian companies.
