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August 25th, 2010Desperate Living, Istanbul, Money, Street Performers
On Istiklal Caddesi
Child labor is not a secret here. It plainly happens. Children roast nuts, play accordions, sell rice from wheeled street carts, and hawk kerchiefs. Two days ago, I found this beautiful, young girl on Istiklal Caddesi, a main boulevard that runs down the “heart” of Istanbul. As you can see, she was singing a song, which I don’t know. And, as she played, there was something very sad and touching about her body language. Even as she worked like an adult — performing for change — her body language was so childish.
She can’t be more than seven years old.
Can you see the "United Colors of Benetton" storefront in the window's reflection? As a store known for its politically-correct ad campaigns, there is something unsettling about a child street performer, working a mere few feet away.
Another child musician, probably from the same family, offers to take over (a "shift change").
Tags: child labor, child musicians, child performers, istiklal
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