A season of musical highlights is winding down in the southern canton of Ticino. One of the events is a folk music festival in the Blenio valley from October 13 to 15, which brings together bands from across Europe.

The local group, Vox Bleni, will share the stage during the "Three Days of Folk Music" with traditional groups from as far a field as the Canary Islands, Ireland and Greece. The festival takes place in the neighbouring villages of Acquarossa and Dongio.

The following week, Ticino's most prestigious classical music festival, the "Ascona Music Weeks" ends with a concert on October 19 by the orchestra of the Ottawa National Arts Centre, based in the Canadian capital. It will perform Denis Gougeon's "Primus tempus" and Beethoven's "Symphony no. 2 as well as his "Concert for violin and orchestra".

The concert will be held in Locarno's San Francesco church - founded as a Franciscan monastery in the 13th century.

Ticino is worth a visit at this time of year just for a walk in the countryside where the forests and chestnut groves are transformed into a symphony of autumn colours. Autumn begins later on the southern side of the Alps and makes the region a favourite destination for autumn hikes.

swissinfo

Out & About in Switzerland is updated regularly to keep you informed of upcoming events, which may provide a different insight into the country and its people.

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative