600 Akkordeons. Eure Geschichten. Unser Berlin | Teil 4

Dieter Plinke, a Berlin resident, has collected 600 accordions—a lifelong project. These instruments are linked to memories from a wide variety of countries, generations, and Berlin neighborhoods. Through his 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 . Free admission applies to the exhibition and all events—including the concerts!

ProgramOverview: 

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
>>Registration

Tue, Sept. 8, 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 notes.
>>Registration

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.
>>Registration

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.
>>Registration

Tue, Sept. 15, 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 few notes.
>>Registration

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!
>>Registration

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.
>>Registration

Mon., Sept. 21, 2026
3:00–3:30 p.m.
Exploring the Exhibition – Guided Tour with Carsten Jenß
>>Registration

3:30–4:00 p.m.
Exploring the exhibition—guided tour with Carsten Jenß
>>Registration

Tue, Sept. 22, 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. 
>>Registration

Thu, Sept. 24, 2026
4:30–5:15 p.m. / 5:15–6:00 p.m.
How Does Air Work? – Building 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 the way sound is produced on it. Participants can take the instruments they create home with them afterward.
Registration: 
>>Slot 1
>>Slot 2

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—with them: open sessions, pieces ranging from easy to advanced, making music together, and fun guaranteed.
>>Registration

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. 

>>Here you’ll find all the information about the supporting program (details are updated regularly!).

The exhibition “600 Accordions. Your Stories. Our Berlin” is open from September 8–26, 2026, during the following hours: 
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).