People may be puzzled to see pianos popping up in squares and open spaces in the coming weeks, but this is all part of Play me, I’m yours, an initiative to bring people together in a natural environment.

This initiative was the brainchild of international artist Luke Jerram, and has been touring the world since 2008, to date having seen the installation of some 400 pianos reaching an audience of over one million people worldwide.

So far this initiative has seen the installation of pianos in places as far as Sao Paolo, Sydney and New York, as well as closer to home in places such as Barcelona and Birmingham.

The scope of this initiative is to bring people of all ages and genders together in a natural environment, and drag them away from solitary activities such as I-pods and books to spend more time with others, according to Jean Pierre Gauci Maistre of GM International Conferences and Exhibitions.

Mr Gauci Maistre said the pianos are to be set up in 15 locations, ranging from Nadur in Gozo to St George’s Square, Malta International Airport and Spinola Gardens, for people to play, enjoy and look after.

He emphasised the importance of the pianos, which have been decorated by various local artists, being looked after, since they will be donated to good causes when the two months are up.

This is the first time this initiative is being taken up on a national level, and the idea is to give something back to society, through promoting culture, heritage and the arts.

The idea is to bring music to the people and the people to music, according to Parliamentary Secretary for tourism Mario de Marco, who added that this is an opportunity not to be missed.

The recently launched National Cultural Policy sets out a challenge to people to make use of spaces for cultural aims, and this is one such idea, he said.

The idea is to have impromptu concerts, and overcome a mentality of shyness which many Maltese have, he explained, as the idea is to encourage everyone to give it a try.