In April 2015 a car bomb went off in Baghdad. At least ten people were killed. Karim Wasfi conductor of the Iraqi National Symphony Orchestra walked to the scene of the explosion, and amidst the carnage set up a wooden chair, sat down, and began to play the cello.

Anita Lasker-Wallfisch also plays the cello. In 1943 Anita was sent to Auschwitz. She survived because she played the instrument.