Amid tear gas, Venezuela violinist symbolizes hope for peace
-
Share on Facebook
-
Share on Bluesky
-
Share on X
- Copy Link
CARACAS, Venezuela — Playing amid clouds of tear gas and flurries of rubber bullets, a young violinist bedecked in the bright colours of Venezuela’s flag serenades anti-government protesters and police alike with a sombre rendition of the national anthem, a song that translates as “Glory to the Brave People.”
It’s been a familiar scene during more than two months of almost daily demonstrations in Venezuela’s capital, where Wuilly Arteaga has become a symbol of peaceful protest largely overshadowed by frequent clashes between rock-throwing youths and heavily armed security forces. Protests across the country demanding socialist President Nicolas Maduro’s removal have resulted in at least 65 deaths and more than 1,100 injured.
Appearances by the 23-year-old almost ended two weeks ago when he and his instrument were dragged to the ground by a national guardsman on a motorcycle. Videos of Areaga crying over his broken violin spread on social media, garnering an outpouring of sympathy. People donated cash to have the instrument repaired, others gave him old violins and Colombian pop star Shakira signed her autograph on a violin dedicated to the virtuoso.
On Sunday, Arteaga and a group of musician friends gave a free concert in a Caracas plaza. To shouts of “Yes, we can” and “We are brothers,” they thrilled the crowd of a few hundred with Venezuelan classics like the foot-stomping “Alma Llanera” and “Moliendo Cafe.”
