137-Year-Old Piano Survives Two World Wars and Now Serves Children in Israeli City

A piano built 137 years ago, which survived two world wars and was brought to Israel by Holocaust survivor Tatiana Fedchenko, will now be used by children in the city of Nof HaGalil. Tatiana, born near Saint Petersburg to a family of scientists, began playing the piano at age four after her father, Konstantin, purchased it shortly before being drafted into the Red Army during World War II. Despite hardships, the piano remained a source of hope for Tatiana and her family throughout the war.

Tatiana later graduated in physics and worked as a scientist in Russia while continuing to play and care for the piano. She immigrated to Israel in 1999, bringing the piano to her home in Nof HaGalil, where she played it even as her eyesight deteriorated. In her final years, she moved the piano to her assisted living residence.

Tatiana passed away recently, and her family discovered in her will that she wished for the piano, a valuable Blüthner worth about $50,000, to be used by the city's children. Her son, Michael Ozernov, who lives in Australia, decided to donate the piano to the city to fulfill her wish. The piano was recently moved to the city hall, where children including nine-year-old Yana Batin and her six-year-old brother Artyom have already played it.

Nof HaGalil's mayor, Ronen Plot, stated the piano will be placed in the museum plaza at city hall and used for performances and lessons by local children, continuing Tatiana’s legacy and love for the instrument.