Violinist Bowing Under String Lights at Rehearsal

Soft amber string lights hang in loose loops above a violinist standing in a rehearsal room in Béjaïa. The musician holds the instrument close, eyes closed, bow pressed firmly against the strings while a thick haze glows around the body and neck. Dust particles float in the warm beams, catching the light like suspended gold. The room walls show signs of use with scuff marks and peeling paint. The violin's wood grain appears deep and rich under the low light. Fingers press tightly on the fingerboard, knuckles white with tension. The bow hair vibrates visibly against the strings, holding a single sustained note in the humid midsummer air.