Dieter Plinke, a resident of Berlin, has collected 600 accordions—a lifelong project. These instruments are linked to memories from a wide variety of countries, generations, and Berlin neighborhoods.
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600 Akkordeons
Through its project “600 Accordions. Your Stories. Our Berlin,” the Berlin State Music Council aims to showcase this unique accordion collection and make it accessible to all Berliners during the “Year of the Accordion.”
In cooperation with the Berlin-Brandenburg Retail Association (HBB), six Berlin shopping centers are providing dedicated spaces for a citywide exhibition.
The fourth stop is the Allee-Center Berlin. Focus: Extraordinary Design
The exhibition is accompanied by a varied supporting program featuring workshops, hands-on activities, guided tours, and concerts for children, teens, families, and adults. Admission is free for the exhibition and all events—including the concerts!
Program Overview:
Mon., Sept. 7, 2026
4:00–4:30 p.m.
Opening
5:00–5:30 p.m.
Exploring the Exhibition – Guided Tour with Collector Dieter Plinke
Tue, Sept. 8, 2026
5:00–6:45 p.m.
Listen & Play Along – Mini-Concert & Learn to Play the Accordion
Before the workshop begins, there will be a short mini-concert.
Afterward, all children (ages 7 and up) and adults are welcome to get up close and personal with the accordion, try it out, and play their first notes.
Thu, Sept. 10, 2026
4:30–6:00 p.m.
Accordion Crafting / The Three Parts of an Accordion / Bellows, Keys, Reeds
Workshop for children ages 8 and up. The three essential elements of an accordion will be recreated using cardboard and other materials, and the resulting instruments can be taken home afterward.
Sat., Sept. 12, 2026
11:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m.
Presentation by the Marzahn-Hellersdorf Music School
4:00–5:30 p.m.
Accordion for EVERYONE!
The Klingende Mobil offers open sessions for young and old, families, teens, and adults—just drop in to check it out or join right in. Play together, have fun, and meet new people.
Tue, Sept. 15, 2026
5:00–6:45 p.m.
Listen & Play Along – Mini-Concert & Accordion Lessons
Before the workshop begins, there will be a short mini-concert.
Afterward, all children (ages 7 and up) and adults are welcome to get up close and personal with the accordion, try it out, and play their first notes.
Sat., Sept. 19, 2026
2:30–4:00 p.m.
Accordion Tryout for Families with Children Ages 6 and Up
Hands-on day to try out the accordion with the “Klingendes Mobil.” You can try out all the instruments right away!
4:00–5:30 p.m.
Accordion Introductory Concert for Families
Introductory concert featuring interactive stations, cheerful music, and plenty of opportunities to try out the instruments. A shared musical experience in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
Mon., Sept. 21, 2026
3:00–3:30 p.m.
Exploring the Exhibition – Guided Tour with Carsten Jenß
3:30–4:00 p.m.
Exploring the Exhibition – Guided Tour with Carsten Jenß
Tue, Sept. 22, 2026
5:00–6:45 p.m.
Listen & Play Along – Mini-Concert & Accordion Lesson
Before the workshop begins, there will be a short mini-concert.
Afterward, all children (ages 7 and up) and adults are welcome to get up close and personal with the accordion, try it out, and play their first few notes.
Thu, Sept. 24, 2026
4:30–5:15 p.m. / 5:15–6:00 p.m.
How Does Air Work?—Making Instruments for Everyone… Balloon horns, cardboard clapperophones, hose trumpets
Workshop for children ages 5 and up. Three different types of instruments will be recreated using everyday materials and compared to the accordion and how it produces sound. The instruments created can then be taken home.
Registration:
Fri, Sept. 25, 2026
5:00–6:30 p.m.
Play the Instrument of the Year!
The Klingende Mobil is bringing the Instrument of the Year—the accordion—along: open sessions, pieces ranging from easy to advanced, making music together, and fun guaranteed.
Sat., Sept. 26, 2026
1:00–6:00 p.m.
“Making Music Together”—Day Program at the MUSIKA AKKORDIA® Music School
featuring a variety of musical performances by children, adults, and orchestras.
>>Click here for all information on the supporting program (details are updated regularly!).
The exhibition “600 Accordions. Your Stories. Our Berlin” is open from September 8–26, 2026, at the following times: Mon–Sat 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
(On opening day, September 7, 2026, the exhibition will not open until 4:30 p.m.!)
The exhibition is being held in a store on the ground floor, near the Landsberger Allee entrance.
The project “600 Accordions. Your Stories. Our Berlin” is funded by the Lotto Foundation Berlin. The statutory tasks of the Berlin State Music Council are funded by the Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion.
The project is also supported by numerous partners, including the Berlin-Brandenburg Trade Association, the German Harmonica Association—Berlin Regional Association, the German Accordion Teachers’ Association, and zapf umzüge AG.
The next stop for the traveling exhibition and its accompanying program is the EAST SIDE MALL (October 12–31, 2026).
Additional information
Dates
September 2026
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