Venezuelan violinist Wuilly Arteaga saw a massive outpouring of support after his instrument was broken during protests.

A Venezuelan violinist whose instrument was damaged during anti-government protests is playing music on the streets once more, following a massive public outpouring of support. The 23-year-old violinist, Wuilly Arteaga, has been a fixture of his country’s anti-government protests, with videos of the musician played around the world. Sporting the colours of the Venezuelan flag, Arteaga’s playing at the front line of protests has been seen as a symbol of peaceful resistance in Venezuela, the instrumentalist seemingly unfazed by the canisters of tear gas exploding around him.

Video emerged earlier this week, however, of the Arteaga with his violin smashed, apparently broken by the National Guard.

“I was playing in the middle of the protest when National Guard vehicles approached us and one of the guards grabbed my violin by the strings,” Arteaga told local media, CNN reported. “I didn’t let go, and was dragged from the motorcycle through the whole street.”

“At some point, I let go of the violin, because I couldn’t [hold on] anymore,”...