Violins of Hope, a collection of violins and other stringed instruments previously owned by Holocaust victims, will arrive at West Virginia University for events honoring the instruments and the people who played them.
More than 20 violins from the collection will be on display in the Nutting Gallery at the Erickson Alumni Center from October 1-14. Students, faculty and guest artists will play the violins and host events in regional community centers, concert halls and houses of worship.
Events include:
September 30: A special selection of films (Mountainlair Gluck Theatre)
October 4 at 7:30 p.m.: “Violins of Hope: Choirs” (CCAC)
October 6 at 3 p.m.: “Violins of Hope: Chamber Recital I” (CCAC)
October 7 at 7 p.m.: “Violins of Hope: Chamber Recital II” (Wesley United Methodist Church)
October 8 at 7:30 p.m.: “Violins of Hope: Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band” (CCAC)
October 10 at 7:30 p.m.: “Violins of Hope: Symphony Orchestra” (CCAC)
During the Holocaust, these instruments were often the only item victims were allowed to keep in concentration camps, and in many cases, only the instruments survived.
The late Amnon Weinstein began Violins of Hope with his father, Moshe Weinstein's collection. Moshe was a luthier who fled from Poland to British Palestine at the start of World War II. He set up a violin shop and purchased unwanted German-made violins, believing the instruments shouldn’t suffer due to their makers' actions. After the war, he began collecting the surviving instruments of Jewish victims who died during the Holocaust.
Avshi Weinstein, Amnon’s son, continues his father and grandfather’s legacy through Violins of Hope and will visit WVU during the exhibition. Jay Grymes, author of the book “Violins of Hope,” will also participate in the events.
Mikylah Myers, Associate Dean of Research and Creative Activity at the WVU College of Creative Arts and Media, helped bring Violins of Hope to WVU. Though initially scheduled for 2020, the exhibit was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Four years later, the instruments are making their way to West Virginia.
“We’ve been planning for years, and they are finally here,” Myers said. “I look forward to playing one of these beautiful, emotionally charged instruments and hearing our students and my colleagues perform on these violins.”
For more information about Violins of Hope and a detailed schedule of events, visit go.wvu.edu/voh.