A Kurdish musician records old folk songs to preserve a generation

Istanbul-based musician, Ayfer Düzdaş, has spent 25 years traveling through southeastern Anatolian villages, documenting Kurdish folk songs. Düzdaş arranges the vanishing melodies into full-ensemble pieces, artfully incorporating traditional techniques for the modern ear. Despite challenges performing her work in Turkey, she hopes to share Kurdish music with a new generation of listeners. Durrie Bouscaren first reported our story last fall.

Will you support The World today?

The story you just read is not locked behind a paywall because listeners and readers like you generously support our nonprofit newsroom. If you’ve been thinking about making a donation, this is the best time to do it. Your support will get our fundraiser off to a solid start and help keep our newsroom on strong footing. If you believe in our work, will you give today? We need your help now more than ever!