Ever since its invention, the accordion has been a stumbling block both in terms of its sonic and musical aspects, as well as its conceptual and ideological ones. Throughout history, ideas about this instrument have continuously evolved. Today, the accordion is a widely recognized symbol of Slovenian identity. It represents pride and an icon of Oberkrainer music, often perceived as a continuation of traditional folk music, and among its users, it is seen as more "homegrown" and Slovenian compared to other musical genres. Is Slovenia a land of accordion "emancipators", or does such attention harm it in the long run? The theoretical concept of banal accordionalism aims to capture and explain the connotations that form around the accordion and are attached to it, with media being one of the key mechanisms that significantly influence the creation of meanings, especially in an era when listeners become viewers and music is watched more than what it is heard. Oberkrainer music benefits from favourable cultural, political, technical, economic, and other conditions for development. Oberkrainer bands are presented as a large homogeneous group connected by their folklore, tradition, and pride in their national identity. However, with its emphasized traditionalism, stereotypical imagery, and exclusionary practices, it becomes a monocultural, closed, and rigid system.
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