€250,000 violin stolen from Japanese musician on train to The Hague
A centuries-old violin worth an estimated €250,000 disappeared from a train from Breda to The Hague on November 1. Bolivian-born Japanese musician Ryo Terakado was traveling with his instrument and is certain it was stolen. He has put up posters throughout the city and is offering a reward of €450 to the finder.
Terakado suspects the violin was stolen on the rail section between Den Haag Hollands Spoor and Den Haag Central Station. “I am almost certain the violin was stolen. When I got off a the final station, I realized I no longer had it,” the musician told AD. “I completely panicked when I realized I no longer had my instrument. I kept a close eye on it the entire trip, but when I was getting ready to get out, I think I lost sight of the violin. I still feel terrible.”
Terkado filed a police report and hung posters throughout The Hague, hoping that someone might have information. The posters list the number of Dmitry Badiarov, a violin maker and friend of Terakado, because the Japanese musician had to return to Japan to conduct an orchestra.
“The violin dates from the late 17th century and is a genuine Giovanni Grancino,” Badiarov told AD. The instrument is worth an estimated €250,000. It was stolen with two bows made by Eitan Hoffer. But anyone thinking of striking rich by selling the 1690 violin can forget it, he added. “It’s big news in our community. No dealer would buy this stolen violin with such historical value.”
Badiarov hopes that the violin will be found. It has enormous emotional value to Terakado, Badiarov told the newspaper. “He’s had the violin for 30 years. It’s his artistic identity, his creative voice,” he said. Terakado has used the instrument in countless performances and lessons. “Imagine waking up in the morning and having lost your voice. That’s what it must feel like for him, I think.”
