South Carolina hosts first statewide tour of Violins of Hope

By Bradley Fuller

Published April 22, 2022 at 10:17 PM EDT

A close-up of the back of one of the Violins of Hope, inlaid with a six-pointed star and trimmed in a black-and-white striped band.

Over eighty string instruments owned by European Jews before and during the Holocaust have been carefully restored by violin makers Amnon and Avshi Weinstein. For the next several weeks, South Carolinians will be able to see these instruments and hear them played in a range of concerts, presentations, and exhibits across the state.

In this Sonatas & Soundscapes feature that aired Thursday, April 21^st, host Bradley Fuller learns more about the beginnings of Violins of Hope South Carolina (VOHSC) from Ellen Benik Thompson, Liaison/Visionary of the organization which is bringing Violins of Hope to cities across the state in tandem with Varna International. Bradley also hears from VOHSC Artistic Director and Varna International CEO/founder Kalin Tchonev about his concert production company and how it's combining with Violins of Hope to perform Georgi Andreev’s oratorio A Melancholy Beauty. Inspired by the rescue of Bulgarian Jews during World War II, A Melancholy Beauty is a work of personal significance for the Tchonev family, as Kalin explains.

More information, including a schedule of events, can be found on the Violins of Hope SC website.

Violins of Hope SC is a supporter of South Carolina Public Radio.