Violin John Kuzek, Prague, Czecoslovakia 20th century Violin: top in spruce; sides, back, neck and head in curly maple; keys in rosewood; fingerboard and tailpiece in ebony. Bow: yew, tip in ivory, tail in ebony with mother-of-pearl. Violin : 20,5 cm x 9 cm x 60 cm Bow: 2,8 cm x 1,2 cm x 75 cm St. Boniface Museum

Hello there. My name is Johnny Violin. I have just had an interesting conversation with Monique. She told me that she selected me from all the other instruments because of my elegant looks even if I am rather old. She wanted me to play for her but lately my bow hurts me more than usual so I couldn't.

My bow is the piece that rubs on my strings to produce music. I told Monique that it is made from a piece of carved wood and horse hair but she didn't believe me. However, it really is true. I'm actually made from 80 pieces of wood that have been carved and varnished with great care.

Monique and I talked about my ancestors who were born in XVIth century Italy. They were created by violin makers. Today, my cousins are the first stars of symphony orchestras.

I was owned by Andy De Jarlis, a famous Manitoba fiddler. He would pick me up gently and tuck me under his chin. He took my bow and slid it over my strings to make me sing. We often played together on radio and television. I was never happier than when we would go to festivals and dances because everyone would dance and laugh joyously.

My owner was the first Canadian to win the Broadcast Music Canada Award. He wrote 200 compositions during his lifetime.

Unfortunately, Monique wanted me to play for her because she wanted to dance but no one plays me today because my owner is dead and I am very brittle on account of my age. I now live in the St. Boniface Museum.

I miss the days of my youth when I was called the "heart of the orchestra" but now it is up to my cousins to do the playing.

Signed,

Johnny Violin.