June 22, 2025
Athens, GR 14 C
Expand search form
Blog

Dear Alma, Do I take my violin to the bomb shelter?

Dear Alma, Do I take my violin to the bomb shelter?

From our agony aunt’s mailbag:

Dear Alma,

I have a precious Guarnerius, my grandfather’s violin, that I take with me to the communal shelter (known as Mamad) every time the Iranians start dropping hardware in my vicinity. Sometimes, I amuse the neighbours during the long night with a spot of Vieuxtemps or Strauss.

But I’m getting worried.

No longer young, what if I trip and fall on the steps to the shelter, smashing my instrument? What if I’m damaging it with constant rushings up and down? What if I get hit on the way?

Should I, dear Alma – advice, please – just put the fiddle in a bank vault until this horrible game of star wars is over?

Mamad man

Dear Mamad man,

In times of strife, it is often wonderful to have an instrument to play, or to have someone play music for us. It can offer a moment to escape the difficulties of the present, a chance to release tension, a time for personal reflection.

I would advise you, however, to protect your precious instrument and find a less-valuable violin to bring with you. It would be sad, indeed, to lose this important part of your life.

Please take care, and continue to share the love of music with your friends and neighbors. That is a gift that cannot be underestimated.

Questions for Alma? Please put them in the comments section or send to DearAlmaQuery@gmail.com

The post Dear Alma, Do I take my violin to the bomb shelter? appeared first on Slippedisc.

Previous Article

The Secret Life of Paintings from Poland

Next Article

Koreans swamp competition – and win

You might be interested in …

Aussie wins London principal post

Aussie wins London principal post

Sydneysider Jason Henery is to be principal double bass of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, appearing in Strauss’s Alpine Symphony at last night’s concert. Jason’s father, Alex Henery, is co-principal double bass of the Sydney Symphony […]