Musica di strada - Italians in Prenzlauer Berg

Trade, Craft & Music

Ausstellungsplakat Musica di Strada – Musica di strada - Italiener*innen in Prenzlauer Berg - Handel, Handwerk & Musik

Starting in the mid-19th century, Italians were drawn from the mountains of northern Italy to the rest of the world. Around 14 million people left their homeland between 1861 and 1914 in search of better living and working conditions. One destination was the growing metropolis of Berlin, where the settlement of Italians was concentrated in Prenzlauer Berg.
With their special crafts and professions, they shaped the district for decades. The Cocchi, Bacigalupo & Graffigna company from Schönhauser Allee became world-famous for its production of barrel organs and orchestrions. In the exhibition some of them are shown along with other mechanical musical instruments. In the course of the modernization and renovation of the Märkisches Museum, which will take several years, this unique collection of the Stadtmuseum Berlin will be loaned to the Museum Pankow.
The exhibition combines the history of settlement and migration of the Italians* with the history of mechanical music. Regular demonstrations bring the history of the instruments to life. An extensive accompanying program with events for children and school classes, music events, cinema series, city rallies and guided tours complements the exhibition.

An exhibition by the Museum Pankow. In cooperation with the Stiftung Stadtmuseum Berlin. Supported by the Lotto Stiftung Berlin and the Bezirkskulturfonds. Supported by the Internationale Drehorgelfreunde Berlin e.V.

Translated with DeepL

Runtime: Fri, 09/06/2023 to Sat, 25/10/2025

Takes place here:

• Museum Pankow - Standort Prenzlauer Allee 227