Meeting Yohan, Belfast’s Most Recognisable Street Musician

Just a few months ago, customers at Belfast’s CastleCourt had two Santas to contend with. During the December drizzle one of the city’s most recognisable figures underwent a change, with the short, round-faced man ditching his humble coat and peak cap for the festive charm of a Santa suit.

‘Yohan’ is the name of the Romanian busker who stands outside the shopping centre all year round, and is probably familiar to most workers, shoppers and residents in that area of the city.

His pitch on Royal Avenue is on one of the busiest pedestrian thoroughfares in town, and it was amusing to see that the violin playing Santa had developed a sense of commercial nous.

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Wonderfully approachable, friendly and patient, Yohan is happy to have a chat. Based close to the city centre, he says that he lives with other people who are also originally from Romania, whilst indicating that he has family living back home as well. Having first arrived in Belfast in 2012, “[in the] month of September, five years ago,” Yohan has been a fixture on the city’s streets ever since.

Now needs must, but standing in one spot all day long is a young man’s game, especially when it comes to enduring the changeable weather of Northern Ireland. So what age is he? There is a bit of a language barrier, but he writes it down…65 years old.

From talking to Yohan it becomes clear that he takes great pleasure from performing to the people of the city. He said: “I enjoy it, the playing”.

What about the people themselves, though?

“Meh…” he gestures unhappily. “Sometimes, they’re not so nice. Not very nice.”

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Yohan becomes energetic when describing his horn-violin as “a special instrument.” He excitedly explains how, when played, it functions naturally as a kind of “trumpet” due to a gramophone mechanism attached underneath it. It is, of course, his primary source of income but he has an emotional attachment to the instrument as well.

On closer inspection it’s curiously date-marked, with a smoothly inked ‘1984’ visible at its base. The chin rest is worn through to the wood in places after years of constant use.

This scarred burgundy adds to the beauty and mystique of the instrument, and you wonder about the timeless experiences of its owner. Yohan implies that it has been with him for over 30 years, and so it clearly means an awful lot to him.

Yohan

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Through his broken English it suddenly becomes clear that I am actually standing in esteemed company of the highest order. “[I’m an] International Musician, International Musician,” Yohan says, bursting into infectious laughter. “I’ve played all over, Yugoslavia, Hungary, Romania…and now, Belfast!” he declares with a million dollar smile and a glint in his eye.

Indeed, the Roma presence in Belfast has expanded significantly over recent years, with the Romanian-Roma Community Association Centre of NI, based in the Holylands area of the city, reflective of this demographic increase.

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Unfortunately it can be easy to dismiss the Roma as figures of sympathy. Or contempt. They’re often viewed as peripheral figures, there to be tolerated.

But Yohan’s subtle contribution (and that of his people) to the fabric of Belfast over the years is best summed up by a passer-by who simply said: “He’s a cultural icon of our city.”

The next time you’re taking a dander down Royal Avenue, look up from the screen and say “Hello, Yohan” to this Romanian friend and International Musician. Even ask how he’s doing.

You will be greeted with a smile that’d warm anyone’s auld heart on a cold Belfast day.

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