A 12-year-old Brazilian violinist showed up at the funeral of his music teacher, who had helped him escape poverty and violence through music. He was photographed crying while playing the violin as a tribute to his beloved mentor.
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| Credits: Photographer Marcos Tristao |
The 12-year-old boy, named Diego Frazão Torquato, was part of the AfroReggae String Orchestra, where he met his teacher and mentor, Evandro João da Silva. It was through his teacher that Diego learned to find hope through the art of music. Evandro had dedicated his life to helping youth in Rio’s poorest neighborhoods, tackling poverty and deprivation through art and education.
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On October 18, 2009, Evandro was tragically mugged and shot in his neighborhood , an event that shocked the AfroReggae community and spread grief among the young people he had inspired.
The influence an inspirational teacher can have on a child’s life is evident in photographer Marcos Tristão’s image, which captures the raw emotion of sorrow and healing in the 12-year-old boy as he plays one last time for his beloved teacher.
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A newspaper, O Globo, labeled the photograph as one of the most moving in recent times. It is now turned into a book, 'Anjo Do Violino,' highlighting the power of gratitude, the look for affection despite pain in the heart, therefore conveying peace and intense love.
Diego had been battling meningitis since the age of four and was later diagnosed with leukemia. In 2010, he underwent surgery for appendicitis, which unfortunately led to an infection that weakened his immune system. While he was completely reliant on blood-regulation devices to maintain stable blood pressure, Diego passed away shortly after, following cardiac arrest.
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