Power of music

The Cellist of Sarajevo tells a powerful true story about music, courage, and human dignity during war.

During the war in Sarajevo (1992), many people were suffering from hunger and violence. One day, a mortar shell hit a bread line, killing 22 innocent people. A musician named Vedran Smailović, who lived nearby, saw the terrible destruction. He was deeply shocked and heartbroken.

Instead of responding with anger or fear, Vedran chose to respond in the only way he knew best—through music. For the next 22 days, at exactly 4 p.m., he went outside wearing formal concert clothes, placed a chair near the bomb crater, and played his cello. He played a sad and haunting piece to honor each person who had died. He did this while bombs were still falling, risking his own life.

His act was not for fame. It was a peaceful protest against war, a way of saying that human life and dignity still mattered, even in the middle of destruction.

Vedran’s story later inspired a composer to write a piece called “The Cellist of Sarajevo.” This piece was performed by the famous cellist Yo-Yo Ma at an international concert. When the music ended, Yo-Yo Ma invited Vedran onto the stage. The audience was deeply moved as the two musicians hugged and cried together. It was a moment that showed shared humanity beyond war, fame, or nationality.

Later, the writer reflects on playing music at a small nursing home. Though the setting was simple, he realized it was similar to Vedran’s act. In both cases, music helped people face pain, loneliness, and suffering.

Main Message

The story shows that everyone can make a difference, even in dark times, by using what they are good at. Music becomes a symbol of hope, compassion, and resistance against despair.

The world has many kinds of “battlefields”—war, illness, loneliness, and emotional pain. Like Vedran Smailović, when we see suffering, we should not remain spectators. We should step forward and use our own gifts to bring comfort and meaning to others.

source : All rights goes to reader digest. I just give short summary to educate people.