600 Accordions. Your Stories. Our Berlin

The exhibition will open on Monday, August 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. with opening remarks by Hella Dunger-Löper, President of the Berlin State Music Council; Dagmar Mielitz, Center Manager of Forum Steglitz; and Nils Busch-Petersen, Executive Director of the Berlin-Brandenburg Retail Association.

On display will be the finest pieces from one of the world’s largest private accordion collections, assembled over decades by Berlin music educator Dieter Plinke. The Berlin State Music Council (Landesmusikrat Berlin e.V.) is making this collection accessible to the public during the Year of the Accordion in cooperation with the Berlin-Brandenburg Trade Association (HBB). Hella Dunger-Löper, President of the Berlin State Music Council, highlights the special role of the accordion, particularly in amateur music. “Music opens up opportunities for people to experience self-efficacy and shared experiences. Making music is an indispensable part of our civil society. Thirty-eight percent of Berliners make music in their free time. As the Instrument of the Year for 2026, the accordion exemplifies the vibrant interplay of education, artistic professionalism, and dedicated amateur music-making—an interplay that connects people and strengthens our society.”

The exhibition will be on view at Forum Steglitz through August 29, 2026. A varied program of events for everyone accompanies the exhibition: hands-on activities to try out the accordion and small concerts featuring the amateur music scene. Admission is free.

600 Accordions. Your Stories. Our Berlin.

• Exhibition at Forum Steglitz, Schloßstr. 1, 12163 Berlin
• August 11–29, 2026
• Mon–Sat 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
• Opening: August 10, 4:00 p.m. Music: Carsten Jenß, accordion.