General Brian Peddle, CEO and 21st General of The Salvation Army, reported that some of the musical instruments from these Nazi camps were recovered.
The Jewish artisans have begun restoring the instruments so they can play music again. In particular, several instruments, such as violins, have been restored.
They are being exhibited and played in orchestras around the world. The instruments are called “Violins of Hope,” believing that where there is music, there is hope.
The theme for this year’s United Nations Holocaust Remembrance Day is “Home and Belonging.” The restored instruments from Auschwitz and other camps have found a home again.
Peddle said, “They belong in the hands of musicians where they can perform the music of great beauty. Where there is music, there is hope”.
This week the United Nations holds its International Holocaust Remembrance Day. It marks the anniversary of the liberation of camps that the Nazis had devoted to destroying people considered less than worthy. Chief among such people were Jews.
It is estimated that close to six million Jews lost their lives at the hands of Nazis during the Second World War. Two out of every three Jews living in Europe were killed.
Peddle further explained that rooted in the ideology of antisemitism; the Nazis sponsored different forms of violence against Jews. They were accused of creating social problems; their businesses were boycotted and forced into ghettos.
Eventually, the Nazis created killing centres like Auschwitz. Jews were captured in cattle cars and taken to these camps by rail. Once in the camps, they were humiliated in different ways. For instance, some Jewish musicians took their musical instruments with them into captivity.
When Nazi guards discovered this, they forced the musicians to play for them. Nazi captors humiliated Jewish musicians to perform.
Salvation army’s general also remarked that Musicians who play these “Violins of Hope” express the conviction that music plays an important role in dark times.
He said, “Music has a way of keeping beauty amid chaos and evil. It’s a way of bringing dignity and purpose into a world of dehumanization and cruelty. Music helps to create hope in a world of darkness and despair”.
