A matchstick violin was heard for the first time in Poland in January 2014. The instrument was constructed by Polish bricklayer Jan Gwiżdż in 1937 from 16,000 burnt matchsticks, accumulated over a period of eight years.

 Initially generating some interest and going on display in the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the violin eventually returned to its homeland. Here Jan’s grandson, Hubert Gwiżdż, performed on the instrument with the Silesian Chamber Orchestra.