Making violins from old boats - 28th February 2024

Prisoners at a Milan prison are creating musical instruments from old boats. The boats were used by migrants from Africa. Many died in the water.

The project's called 'Metamorphosis'. Enrico Allorto's training the men.

Enrico Allorto: "However, when they arrive here they don't, they don't know anything about musical instruments. That's why I've taught them everything here. And this is another reason to be proud, to see that as well as getting unsuitable wood to work, people, without training, can also end up becoming artists, let's say."

The UN says 27,870 migrants have died since 2014. The journey from Africa is extremely dangerous, but they hope for a better life.

The boats often contain things which the migrants brought with them. For Andrea, a prisoner, the experience makes him think about his own life. His problems are easier to fix.

Andrea: "I keep in mind that we receive the boats with everything inside except the people. And when these pieces of reality arrive, which are so important and at times overwhelming, it's normal to reflect on them. And many times you realise that your problems, your miseries, can be much more solvable in relation to how difficult others' are."

The project of making stringed instruments in prisons began over 10 years ago. With the instruments, the 'Orchestra of the Sea' was born. It performed for the first time recently at La Scala, Milan's opera house.

For prisoner Claudio, the boats are continuing their journey. The migrants are remembered, and prisoners are given skills.

Claudio: "The boats will play, then, at the Scala, they will become musical instruments and rosaries. They'll enter people's homes to bear witness, then, to the migrant problem. While we, however, are reborn because we learn a trade, which is important in prison."

Claudio and another prisoner were allowed to go to the first performance.

The colours of the instruments come from the wooden boats. This project's a change or 'metamorphosis' of both the boats and the prisoners.