OXFORD University has lent a violin from its collection to Aboud Kaplo, a 14-year-old Syrian musician.
The violin was restored in Oxford before being sent to the teenager and his family, who fled their home in Aleppo and are now seeking refuge in Lebanon, with nearly two million other Syrians.
Aboud said: “I’m so happy, so excited, I just want to thank Oxford University and the Music Department for making this happen.”
The Bate Collection of Musical Instruments, part of Oxford University’s Faculty of Music, was contacted by Susie Attwood, a film-maker, violinist and alumna of the Music Faculty.
She had met Aboud and his parents while filming a documentary at a Syriac Orthodox monastery in Lebanon, where they are now living.
She wondered if the university could do anything and Andy Lamb, curator of the Bate Collection, agreed to help by providing the violin, which is not rare.
Mr Lamb said: “I realised that the Bate Collection could make some kind of positive contribution towards his quality of life.
“I immediately had an instrument in mind.
“It belonged to Dr Helene Larue, a former curator, who was a very generous person, and I knew that if she had been confronted with this situation she would have donated an instrument instantly.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here