Violins of Hope: A Holocaust Commemoration

Sponsored by: WVU Creative Arts Center

Date: Wed, Oct 2

Times: 9:30 a.m. – 11 a.m.; 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Location: Church-McKee Arts Center

Cost: Free

WVU Potomac State College is hosting an exhibition titled Violins of Hope, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the Church McKee Arts Center. Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend either of the showings.

Violins of Hope is an international touring organization commemorating lives lost and affected by the Holocaust. The complete exhibit contains violins, violas, and cellos which belonged to Jews before and during WWII and represent the thousands of these instruments confiscated by Nazis during this time in history. Many of the instruments have been donated by family members and survivors of the Holocaust.

The Nazis used ‘command’ music to humiliate and degrade Jewish prisoners in camps. Forced singing to promote discipline and order after prisoners labored all day was a routine ritual. Additionally, prisoners were forced to play in ensembles after hours for the SS and they were used for background music for punishments and executions, the ultimate goal being intimidation and terrorization.

As described by Amnon Weinstein, creator of Violins of Hope, “Our violins present the victory of the human spirit over evil and hatred. As many as 6 million Jews were murdered in WW2, but their memory is not forgotten. It comes back to life with every concert and every act of love and celebration of the human spirit. The sound of violins is often compared to the beauty of the human voice. When played with talent and spirit, It is known to reach out and touch hearts. Wherever there was music, there was hope. Violins of Hope is not only a memorial to lost culture and people. It is also an educational act that reaches young students and adults wherever our concerts are performed.”

Learn more about Violins of Hope here. See more of the instruments and check out other programs presented by the WVU Creative Arts Center online.

Questions? Contact Michelle House at mahouse@mail.wvu.edu or Abby Shillingburg at abby.shillingburg@mail.wvu.edu.