Accordion music filled the main square of Slovenia's capital on Friday (December 26) as musicians and supporters rallied against a temporary ban on unregistered street performances imposed by the Ljubljana City Council.

Led by accordionist Silvo Mesojedec, the event drew dozens of participants of all ages from across the country, who performed Slovenian folk and evergreen tunes for over an hour to hundreds of passers-by.

Mesojedec told local media that he organised the rally after noticing that Slovenian musicians were being overshadowed by foreign music during a visit to the capital.

The temporary ban, in effect until the end of December, has raised concerns among cultural advocates regarding the diminishing visibility of Slovenian musical heritage.

The city council banned impromptu musical street performances after receiving complaints that brass bands and other musicians were disrupting residents and visitors during the holiday season.

The accordion rally however was cleared and approved by the police.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

1. VARIOUS OF MEN PLAYING ACCORDIONS AND SINGING TRADITIONAL SLOVENIAN SONGS AT PRESEREN SQUARE

2. VARIOUS OF MEN PLAYING ACCORDIONS BY STATUE OF SLOVENIAN NATIONAL POET FRANCE PRESEREN

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Slovenian) ACCORDIONISTS' RALLY ORGANIZER, SILVO MESOJEDEC, SAYING:

"Look, I'm happy to see how much you've missed Slovenian music in Ljubljana. People turned against accordions here. Thank you to everyone who participated in this protest. Special thanks to the accordionist, of course."

4. ACCORDIONISTS PLAYING, WAVING FLAGS

5. ACCORDIONIST, JOE MIRLAK, GREETING PLAYERS FROM VARIOUS SLOVENIAN REGIONS

6. VARIOUS OF ACCORDIONISTS PLAYING