Dream Comes True for ‘Plaza Pianist’: AD Reader Donates a Piano

“We’re moving,” says generous donor Marja Copier. “Our new home doesn’t have space for the piano. When I read the story about Farid, I knew right away — that piano would be perfect for him. He deserves it.”

Marja Copier

Five years ago, Farid, now 23, came to the Netherlands from Iran, following his mother who had to flee the country. For years, the only place he could play piano was at the Plaza shopping center near Rotterdam Central Station. A grand piano stands tucked between the shops, open to the public. Owning a real piano himself was financially out of reach.

Unbelievable

Farid, who now studies at a university of applied sciences, lives in Capelle aan den IJssel and dreams of one day performing at De Doelen concert hall, has had to survive on roughly twenty euros a week for a long time.

“This is unbelievable,” he says. “A real piano at home. We had one in Iran, too. Back there, we had everything. But here, I had nothing. I never expected to have a piano of my own again.”