The Violino del Mare was blessed by Pope Francis at the Vatican in February 2022
Pope Francis and the Blessing of the Violino del Mare
The death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, has left a global outpouring of tributes for the pontiff who led the Catholic Church since 2013. One of the most touching moments during his papacy occurred in February 2022, when he blessed a violin made from the wood of migrant boats, a poignant symbol of the struggles and resilience of refugees.
The Creation of the Violino del Mare
The instrument, known as the Violino del Mare (Violin of the Sea), was crafted by inmates at the Milan-Opera prison in Italy. The violin was part of a larger initiative called Metamorphosis, launched by the Casa dello Spirito e delle Arti Foundation. The project aimed to repurpose wood salvaged from boats used by refugees to cross the Mediterranean Sea, particularly from the Italian island of Lampedusa, a key point of entry for many migrants seeking safety in Europe.
A Symbol of Hope Through Art
The Violino del Mare was the first instrument to emerge from the project, with the hope that it would not be the last. Under the guidance of master luthier Enrico Allorto, prisoners at the Milan-Opera prison crafted the violin, transforming the salvaged wood into a work of art that symbolizes both the hardship of the migrants who had used the boats and the potential for redemption through rehabilitation. The project is more than just about creating instruments—it's about giving new life to what would otherwise be discarded, both for the wood and the lives of those incarcerated.
The Human Cost of Migration
Since 2014, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has documented nearly 28,000 migrant deaths or disappearances in the Mediterranean, making it Europe’s largest graveyard. The violins, violas, and cellos crafted from the wood of these boats aim to raise awareness of the often-overlooked reality of migrants' struggles. They serve as a reminder of the journeys taken in search of a better life and the suffering that accompanies such perilous voyages. The instruments are intended to symbolize hope, beauty, poetry, and prayer—a message that resonates deeply with the musicians and audiences alike.
Educational Outreach and Awareness
The Violino del Mare is currently displayed at Cremona’s Museo del Violino, where it tells its story through educational sessions designed for schools. These sessions use images and storytelling to engage students with the instrument’s powerful history and the themes it represents.
The Debut of the Orchestra of the Sea
In a related development, the Orchestra of the Sea made its debut performance in 2024 at Milan's renowned Teatro alla Scala, featuring 14 stringed instruments created in the prison workshop. These instruments were crafted from the same boats that carried migrants across the sea. The orchestra performed a program that included works by Bach and Vivaldi, bringing together music and the stories of the migrants who used the boats. The performance was not only a celebration of artistry but also a powerful reminder of the human cost of migration.
Rehabilitation Through Craftsmanship
The project’s ultimate goal is to transform the perception of both the refugees and the inmates who are part of the initiative. For the prisoners involved in crafting the instruments, working with the wood offers a form of rehabilitation—both physical and emotional. Many of them, like Nikolae, who is now the workshop’s master craftsman, find peace and reflection in the process. Working with the wood helps them think about the mistakes of their past and offers them the opportunity to regain self-esteem and a sense of purpose.
A Personal Connection to the Wood
The transformation of the boats into musical instruments is a deeply personal process for many of the inmates. One prisoner, who prefers to remain anonymous, shared how the act of shaping the violins brings him closer to the refugees' experiences. "As I am working on these pieces, I think of the refugees that this wood transported, the women and children," he said. "I think only of that as I work, what this piece of wood has lived." This sentiment is echoed by others in the project, such as Claudio Lamponi, who reflected on the stark contrast between his life in prison and his new role as a craftsman of something so beautiful. “This morning I woke up in an ugly, dark place. Now I am here,” Lamponi said, standing in the royal box at La Scala, as a guest of honor for the orchestra's performance.
Raising Awareness of the Migrant Crisis
The project has also brought attention to the broader humanitarian crisis faced by migrants. The boats, many of which are found with remnants of the migrants' belongings—such as baby bottles, diapers, and shoes—serve as a stark reminder of the dangers and hardships that migrants face. The instruments created from this wood carry the weight of these experiences, and the musicians who play them hope to inspire change through their performances.
The Future of the Orchestra of the Sea
The Orchestra of the Sea is just the beginning of a larger movement. The Casa dello Spirito e delle Arti Foundation hopes to bring the orchestra's performances to southern European countries, where the migration crisis is most acute, and eventually to northern capitals, where migration policy is often shaped. Foundation president Arnoldo Mosca Mondadori expressed the hope that the music would resonate deeply with audiences and prompt reflection on the plight of migrants. “The beauty is that music overcomes all divisions, all ideologies, goes to the heart and soul of people, and one hopes that it makes people think,” he said.
A Message of Hope and Transformation
Through projects like the Violino del Mare and the Orchestra of the Sea, the power of music and craftsmanship is being used to shine a light on the struggles of refugees and the potential for transformation—both for the wood of the migrant boats and the lives of the individuals involved in their creation. In the end, these instruments don’t just tell stories; they offer hope for a future beyond hardship and despair.