A duo of musicians brought some welcome calm to Taksim Square on Wednesday night after a grand piano was wheeled into nearby Gezi Park.
Thousands of protesters gathered to hear German pianist Davide Martello and Turkish musician Yiğit Özatalay tinkle the ivories.
Martello, who is currently on a world tour, told daily Turkish newspaper Hürriyet: “I brought the piano with my car. I play at the squares for people’s freedom. I came here to support the demonstrations.”
Davide Martello and Yiğit Özatalay tinkled the ivories at the impromptu concert in Gezi Park
Özatalay added: “Our freedoms are being restricted. I don’t accept this as an artist.”
The interlude came after nearly two weeks of protests, which have seen Turkish police storm the square, firing water cannon and rubber bullets in the air.
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Protesters have responded by hurling rocks, knives and firebombs.
The protests started over proposals to redevelop Gezi Park in Istanbul, which the activists oppose.
So far more than 5,000 people have been injured and three people have died since the protests began.
