Cremonese solidarity knows no bounds. Martina Aridei, a student at the Luigi Cherubini Conservatory in Florence, had her violin stolen on a train running from Florence to Arezzo. Thousands of shares have appeared on social media: “People have written to me from all over Italy, including Cremona, offering me an instrument so I can take my Conservatory exam. I didn’t think so many people would care about what happened to me, thank you so much!”

It all began a few days ago when Martina Aridei left her violin unattended for just a few minutes on the train, and someone, without hesitation, took it and walked away with it. It was not only an essential instrument for her studies, but also something of deep emotional value, as the violin had been a gift from her grandfather, who has since passed away.

“I boarded the regional train,” Martina explained, “and placed all my belongings, including the violin in its case, on the luggage rack. I had arrived in a rush with my bags amid the chaos of the station. I was travelling from Florence to my home in Selci, hoping to escape the scorching heat in the city these days. However, the train was delayed, so I decided to get off to check if it was the right one by reading the display on the platform. I picked up my luggage, got off, and when I turned around I saw the carriage doors closing. I immediately checked I had my suitcases with me, but I realised I had left the violin on the train. I didn’t give up and quickly boarded the fast regional train on the next track, also bound for Arezzo, and asked the conductor to contact his colleague on the other train that had just left. Both were very kind, but there was no trace of the violin. I arrived in Arezzo on this second train and then boarded the other regional train again to check once more with the conductor, but still no violin.”

“The instrument,” Martina continues, “has no identification numbers or the name of the maker. It is a French violin from the early 1900s and has a very distinctive mark near the bridge. Inside the case there were also two bows, one carbon-fibre practice bow and another bearing the name of the bow maker Proietti on the handle, a set of Larsen strings, and a wooden treble clef.”

A huge disappointment. “My grandfather gave it to me to help me with my studies. I study at the Florence Conservatory and I am currently preparing for an exam, so the violin is essential for me. It is not just an instrument. I immediately posted photos on Facebook and made an appeal, and I did not expect to receive so much solidarity. I was contacted from various cities, including Cremona, offering me instruments on loan and sharing my appeal.”

Martina, who is not giving up and still hopes to recover her violin, thanked everyone who has shown interest in her story in recent days.

“I truly thank everyone, especially a lady who offered me her son’s violin, and the luthiers of Cremona who proposed instruments for me to try. I am also very grateful to my teacher: for my exam I will use his personal violin, and I will return it immediately afterwards. Lending one’s own violin is a gesture of great closeness and support.”