ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—One of the highlights of a day of celebrations and speeches in the city of Diyarbakir on Saturday, was the presence of renowned Kurdish singer, Sivan Perwer, after 37 years in exile.
“When I left this city I was young, now I am an old man,” Perwer told a cheering crowd.
Born in 1955, Perwer fled Turkey for fear of imprisonment after he became politically active at the University of Ankara in the late 1970s.
He settled in Germany and ever since has been one of the most revered Kurdish singers.
“I love this country, I love this city, I love this nation,” Perwer said before singing a duet with Ibrahim Tatlises, another icon of Kurdish music from Urfa.
In the past three decades Perwer has released numerous albums of Kurdish folk music and revolutionary songs.
“Today we celebrate a day of peace and brotherhood,” said Perwer as he stood before the crowd in his Kurdish outfit and traditional red headband. “We thank anyone whose heart has beaten for this day.”
Perwer has maintained strong relations with almost all Kurdish political parties, including the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).
He has held regular concerts in Europe, North America and kept in touch with smaller Kurdish communities in the Caucuses and central Asia.
Before singing one of his famous songs Megri, Daye Megri “Don’t cry, mother don’t cry” Perwer thanked Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his efforts to bring peace to the region.
“Our differences won’t be a taboo any more,” said Perwer. “It was because of our differences that some of us left this country and some ended up in prison. But today we are all coming back.”
For his part, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, “After 37 years of uncalled for life as an immigrant, a great voice, our brother Sivan Perwer has returned to Diyarbakir,”
Saturday’s celebrations were arranged in honor of Kurdistan Region President Massoud Barzani who arrived on a two-day visit.
“Today is a historical day and a dream come true that we gather in our beloved Diyarbakir,” Barzani said in his speech. “Today is the day of brotherhood, coexistence and tolerance.”
Echoing Barzani, Perwer said, “This country has lived through many ages and empires, but this a new era, it is the era of peace and democracy. We all need to live in peace regardless of our culture and language.”
