600 Akkordeons. Eure Geschichten. Unser Berlin

Dieter Plinke from Berlin 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 Europa Center Berlin will kick off the exhibition.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a varied program of events featuring workshops, hands-on activities, guided tours, and concerts for the whole family:

Wed., July 1, 2026
11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m. (including a break)
Listen & Play Along – Mini-Concert & Learn to Play the Accordion with Philipp Höning (stage presentation with open class)
Registration required: https://www.survio.com/survey/d/ws-07-01-1130

Thu, July 2, 2026
4:30–6:00 p.m.
Accordion Introductory Concerts for Families (with a fun interactive concert)
Registration: https://www.survio.com/survey/d/fk-07-02-1630

6:00–6:30 p.m.
Exploring the Exhibition – Guided Tour with Collector Dieter Plinke
Registration:https://www.survio.com/survey/d/fu-07-02-1800

6:30–7:00 p.m.
Tour of the exhibition – guided tour with collector Dieter Plinke
Registration: https://www.survio.com/survey/d/fu-07-02-1830

Fri, July 3, 2026
5:00–6:00 p.m.
Cultural Presentations – The Stage Is Yours!
Register your own performance now: https://www.survio.com/survey/d/Kulturbeitraege

6:00–7:00 p.m.
2026: Accordion Fever with Akkordia 1935 Berlin e.V.
This year, the accordion sets the tone! As the “Instrument of the Year,” it showcases its full versatility. This musical talent moves effortlessly between classical, jazz, tango, and modern music—and blends tradition with the sounds of today.
Fittingly, the brand-new composition by London-based composer Ian Watson, “2026 – The Year of the Accordion,” is, of course, a must-have in this program.With the upbeat Boney M song “Rasputin,” we’ll transport you back to the disco scene of the ’70s, and you’ll experience pure nostalgia with “Comedian Harmonists in Concert,” a medley of the most famous songs by this legendary and unforgettable sextet.
In addition, you can look forward to many more musical highlights from Akkordia 1935 Berlin e.V., under the musical direction of Ronja Löbnitz.

Sat., July 4, 2026
2:30–4:00 p.m. “
” Accordion for EVERYONE! The “Klingende Mobil” is here

The traveling exhibition is located on the ground floor in a store directly behind the seating area by the “Clock of Flowing Time.”

Exhibition hours:
Wed., July 1, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Thu., July 2, 2:00–7:00 p.m.
Fri., July 3, 11:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.

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 Rathaus-Center Pankow (Monday, July 13 – Saturday, August 1, 2026).