Barcelona’s solar-powered public piano in Plaza Catalunya was severely damaged after vandals poured acid and tore off keys. The technician faces a major repair as the instrument remains silent in the city’s busiest square.
The solar-powered grand piano in Barcelona’s Plaza Catalunya, a fixture maintained by the Maria Canals association to encourage public music, has been rendered silent after a severe act of vandalism this week. The technician responsible for its upkeep, Iván Berruezo, discovered that not only had several keys been ripped out, but corrosive acid had also been poured over the instrument, destroying the keyboard and making it impossible to play.
Berruezo, who has cared for the piano for two years, described the incident as the most destructive he has seen. He regularly replaces keys and repaints surfaces to cover graffiti, but the scale of this attack forced him to remove the entire keyboard for replacement. The acid damage was so extensive that the piano could not be used for nearly a week, disrupting a popular spot for both amateur and renowned pianists.
The technician suspects the culprit is a man known for playing only 'Soy rebelde' by Jeanette and soliciting money from tourists. Berruezo noted that while minor thefts of keys are not uncommon, this level of destruction is unprecedented. He expressed frustration that the vandalism came from someone with little musical skill, contrasting this with talented homeless musicians who have played the piano without asking for anything in return.
Despite the challenges, Berruezo remains committed to restoring the instrument. He has developed techniques to make the keys more resistant while preserving their feel, but admits that repeated attacks can be discouraging. The piano’s solar panel, which powers it, was not affected, but the technician spent hours repainting the instrument and preparing it for a new keyboard. He also mentioned that graffiti artists frequently target the piano, but his daily efforts to cover their tags eventually deter them.
The Plaza Catalunya piano has become a magnet for both casual players and international artists, with figures like Lord Vinheteiro and Haramichan having performed on its keys. Berruezo takes pride in maintaining an instrument that attracts such diverse talent, even as he works in the midst of city traffic and constant public attention. The incident highlights ongoing challenges faced by public spaces in Barcelona, where vandalism can abruptly silence cultural initiatives.
Public pianos in major European cities have grown in popularity over the past decade, offering free access to music and fostering community engagement. However, they are also frequent targets for vandalism, requiring constant maintenance and security measures. The Maria Canals association continues to support the project, seeing it as a way to democratize music in urban life. Similar cases of public venues facing setbacks due to disruptive incidents have occurred in Barcelona before, such as when a well-known restaurant closed after a political scandal and the pandemic, as reported in coverage of La Camarga’s closure.
For now, Berruezo is focused on bringing music back to Plaza Catalunya. He is considering ways to better protect the piano from future attacks, including isolating vulnerable parts from corrosive substances. The technician’s dedication ensures that, despite setbacks, the city’s residents and visitors will soon hear the piano’s notes return to the heart of Barcelona.
