Suomen Harmonikkainstituutti, the Finnish Accordion Institute, has purchased the ‘Accordion House’ in Ikaalinen. The property’s previous owner, the City of Ikaalinen, had long been looking to sell it and accepted the Institute’s purchase offer.

The building is now officially owned by the Accordion Institute, securing the institute’s operations well into the future.

The building also houses the headquarters of the Finnish Accordion Association (Suomen Harmonikkaliitto ry). Additionally, it serves as an office for the international accordion organization CIA (Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes) and contains the Institute’s extensive archives and sheet music collections – and a portrait collection.

Representatives from both the Institute and the town of Ikaalinen were present at the signing ceremony. Representing the Institute were Chairman of the Board, Professor Matti Rantanen, and the Institute’s longtime director, Kimmo Mattila.

Ikaalinen Mayor Eeva Viitanen, Administrative Director Jenni Alppi, and public notary Jussi Majuri attended the signing on behalf of the town of Ikaalinen.

The Finnish Accordion Institute was founded in Ikaalinen in 1980 and is one of Finland’s five music institutes. There is no other known organization in the world quite like it, dedicated specifically to the promotion of accordion music.

The Institute’s work focuses on the development, preservation, and research of accordion music. It operates as a nonprofit, association-based organisation with a mission to spread knowledge on various aspects of accordion music.

“Buying our own building is a huge step for us,” said Institute Director Kimmo Mattila. “This purchase physically secures the Institute’s location and ensures that we can continue to operate in Ikaalinen.”