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Kurdish singer 'Aynur Dogan' to appear at
the Athens World Music Festival
12.7.2007 |
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July
12, 2007
Interview: Aynur, the “Kurdish girl” as she
is fondly called by fans, will be coming to Athens
to appear at the Scholeion theater on July 19 in the
World Music series of the Athens Festival. One of
the singer’s greatest achievements is the revival of
traditional music, as she renders the emotionality
of music and the lyrics with emotive sensitivity.
Prior to her arrival in the Greek capital, the
Turkish-Kurd singer spoke to Kathimerini about the
things that have influenced her music.
What are your earliest musical memories?
I remember climbing onto the rooftop of my house to
sing every evening. I felt as though I were
performing a concert for the village. My parents
remember me trying to mimic the sound of birds.
Is it true that your music is influenced by the
myths and poetry of the Alevites?
Absolutely. I was born into an Alevite family and
everyone around me shared this heritage. Dersim, the
area where I come from, is full of the traditional
stories, poems and songs of the Alevites and the
Kurds. Especially when I was young.
What was it like growing up in such a troubled area?
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Aynur Dogan, a great Kurdish singer from Turkey |
It is natural to feel very strongly about the things
that go on in your geographical vicinity.
Discrimination and racism were always very important
issues, but what interests me most is the people. As
I grew up, reading newspapers and continuing my
education, I became more aware of social and
political matters.
Do you live in Istanbul now?
Yes. I have lived in Bahcelievler in Istanbul for
years. I love this city.
How do young people perceive traditional music?
The younger generation prefer Western or pop
culture. But when you are honest in your work, they
see and they like it.
My work is very pure traditional music and even very
young audiences love it.
How were you discovered by the rest of the world?
The album “Kece Kurdan” was a big success in Turkey
and after appearing in the films “Gonul Yarasi” and
in Fatih Akin’s “Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of
Istanbul” I was given the opportunity of presenting
my work to a much larger audience. Afterward, the
foreign press showed a great deal of interest in my
work.
ekathimerini com
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