Dieter Plinke from Berlin has collected 600 accordions – a life’s work. They are linked to memories from a wide variety of countries, generations and Berlin neighbourhoods.
Image gallery
600 Akkordeons
Through its project “600 Accordions. Your Stories. Our Berlin”, the Berlin State Music Council aims, in the “Year of the Accordion”, to showcase this unique accordion collection and make it accessible to all Berliners.
In cooperation with the Berlin-Brandenburg Trade Association (HBB), six Berlin shopping centres are providing dedicated spaces for a city-wide exhibition.
The sixth venue is the “das Schloss” shopping centre. Focus: Curiosities / Special items
The exhibition is taking place in a shop on the ground floor, stall 33, by the roundabout, near the Grunewaldstraße entrance.
Opening hours: Mon–Sat: 12:00–19:00
The exhibition is accompanied by a varied programme of events featuring workshops, hands-on activities, guided tours and concerts for children, young people, families and adults. Admission is free for the exhibition and all events – including the concerts!
Programme overview:
Mon, 9 Nov 2026
4.00–4.30 pm
Exhibition opening
featuring the Berlin Accordion Orchestra and collector Dieter Plinke
Tue, 10 Nov 2026
5.30–7.00 pm
‘Review to the Roots’ with Monika Joos
Stories from 65 years of love for the accordion – a reading accompanied by music
Through many cheerful, surprising and perhaps even thought-provoking stories from a long life as a musician, Monika Joos recounts what it means to have an instrument by one’s side as a faithful companion through all of life’s ups and downs. Accompanied by folk songs to sing along to, melodies from around the world, pop hits from days gone by and sea shanties. Everyone is welcome to join in!
Thu, 12 Nov 2026
4.30–5.15 pm and 5.15–6.00 pm
How does air work? – Making instruments for everyone
with ‘Homemade Music’
Workshop for children aged 5 and over. Three different types of instruments will be recreated using everyday materials and compared with the accordion and the way sound is produced on it. The instruments created can then be taken home.
Fri, 13 Nov 2026
5.00–7.00 pm
Cultural Events – The stage is yours!
5.00 pm
Duets for oboe and accordion with Christina Bylow and Björn Kasan
6.00–7.00 pm
Bellows and Bow – Folk music with accordion and violin
with Susanne Sabzian
Sat, 14 Nov 2026
4.00–5.30 pm
Introductory accordion concert for families
with the Klingendes Museum
Attention families! Come along to our introductory concert – featuring interactive stations, cheerful music and plenty of opportunities to have a go. Experience sound, rhythm and fun together in a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere.
Mon, 16 Nov 2026
3.00–4.00 pm
Exploring the exhibition – guided tour
with collector Dieter Plinke
Tue, 17 Nov 2026
5.00–6.45 pm
Listen & Join In – Mini-concert & Learn to Play the Accordion
Stage presentation with open workshop
with Philipp Höning (DHV Berlin Regional Association)
Before the workshop begins, there will be a short mini-concert.
Afterwards, all children (aged 7 and over) and adults are warmly welcome to get to know the accordion up close, have a go at playing it and play their first few notes.
Thu, 19 Nov 2026
4.30–6.00 pm
Accordion craft workshop
with ‘Self-Made Music’
To understand how the accordion works, the three key elements of the instrument will be recreated in miniature using card and other materials. The instruments created in this way can then be taken home. Suitable for children aged 4 and over.
Fri, 20 Nov 2026
4.00–5.30 pm
Trying out the accordion for families with children aged 6 and over
with the Klingendes Museum
Attention families with children aged 6 and over! The ‘Klingendes Mobil’ is here – come along to our hands-on day to try out the accordion. You can all try out the instruments for yourselves straight away, experience the music and have fun together.
5.30 pm – 7.00 pm
Cultural performances – The stage is yours!
Sat, 21 Nov 2026
3.30–4.00 pm
‘Red Accordion’ – a true refugee story, or how an instrument saved my father’s and his family’s lives three times
Reading with Dr Sibylle Mottl-Link
A story about the accordion, accompanied by a projector presentation of historical photos / folk songs from Hungary and Eastern Europe to sing along to, and excerpts from, amongst others, ‘Donauwellen’ (J. Ivanovici) and ‘Czardas’ (Vittorio Monti)
Tue, 24 Nov 2026
5.00–6.45 pm
Listen & Join in – Mini-concert & Learn to Play the Accordion
Stage presentation with open workshop
with Philipp Höning (DHV Berlin Regional Association)
Before the workshop begins, there will be a short mini-concert.
Afterwards, all children (aged 7 and over) and adults are warmly welcome to get to know the accordion up close, have a go at playing it and play their first few notes.
Thu, 26 Nov 2026
4.30–6.00 pm
Accordion craft workshop
with ‘Self-Made Music’
To understand how the accordion works, the three key elements of the instrument will be recreated in miniature using cardboard and other materials. The instruments created in this way can then be taken home. Suitable for children aged 4 and over.
Fri, 27 Nov 2026
3.30–5.00 pm
Play the Instrument of the Year!
with the Klingendes Museum
The Klingendes Mobil is bringing along the Instrument of the Year: pop along to discover or explore the magic of the accordion. Open sessions, pieces ranging from easy to advanced, making music together – and fun guaranteed.
6.00–7.00 pm
FLASHMOB
For anyone who fancies making music together and creating a special musical moment!
Led by Janin Janke, we’ll be playing well-known Christmas carols as well as simple arrangements from the accordion repertoire.
Sat, 28 Nov 2026
3.00–4.30 pm
Accordion for EVERYONE!
with the Klingendes Museum
The Klingendes Mobil offers open sessions for young and old, families, teenagers and adults – just pop in to have a go or join in straight away. Play together, have fun, meet new people.
5.30–6.30 pm
Presentation by the Shostakovich Music School Berlin-Lichtenberg: a young accordion ensemble and solo performances featuring a colourful programme of tango, classical, Romantic, modern and contemporary music (conducted by Natalie Bauer).
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.
Additional information
Accessibility
The ‘Das Schloss’ shopping centre in Berlin-Steglitz is accessible to people with disabilities. The centre has a wheelchair-accessible entrance. All levels of the building can be easily reached by lift. Accessible toilets are located on the second basement level (2nd B). Designated disabled parking spaces are available in the centre’s own car park (underground car park / parking decks A & B).
Dates
November 2026
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