VOH 95 "The Zalud Violin"

JHV 95 (also cataloged as VOH 95) is "The Zalud Violin," a historic instrument in the Violins of Hope collection. Named after the Zalud family of Czech musical instrument makers, it is designated as an exhibition-only piece rather than a concert-playing instrument.

History of the Zalud Family & Instrument

• Founding of the Terezin Factory. Waclaw Zalud (1803–1881), a musician and wind instrument maker from Western Czechoslovakia, founded and directed a renowned musical instrument factory in Terezin (Theresienstadt).

• Generational Craftsmanship. Waclaw’s son, Edward Zalud Sr., and grandson, Paul Zalud (1864–1931), carried on the family legacy. They expanded production from acclaimed wooden clarinets and flutes—used by the National Theater Orchestra in Prague—to include a line of brass instruments in the 1930s.

• The Holocaust and Terezin Ghetto. In 1941, German forces shut down the Zalud factory. They confiscated the instruments and deported the entire Zalud family to the Terezin Ghetto.

• Tragic Fate and Legacy. None of the Zalud family survived the Holocaust; every member perished either inside the Terezin Ghetto or in the gas chambers at Auschwitz. However, several instruments produced by the Zalud firm survived the war and continue to be preserved and played in memorial concerts honoring the musicians of Terezin.