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Aynur is one of the most iconic and influential voices of Kurdish music today. Over her 25- year career, she has reshaped the musical landscape by blending the deep-rooted traditions of Kurdish folk music with contemporary Western influences, creating a timeless and globally resonant musical language. Her extraordinary voice and emotive storytelling represent the rich cultural heritage of her roots, reinterpreted as a universal genre
Aynur has collaborated with world-renowned musicians and ensembles, including Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, Maestro Riccardo Muti, Kayhan Kalhor, Javier Limón, Kinan Azmeh, the Nederland Blazers Ensemble, and the NDR Big Band. These partnerships have expanded her artistic spectrum and elevated Kurdish music to a global platform. Her remarkable talent has also been featured in acclaimed films, including Fatih Akın’s Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul and Morgan Neville’s The Music of Strangers, which documents her journey with the Silk Road Ensemble.
Her contributions have earned widespread acclaim, with features in prominent international media outlets like The Guardian, El Pais, and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), as well as covers of renowned world music magazines like Songlines Magazine and fRoots. Aynur’s dedication to preserving and innovating Kurdish and Alevi traditions has also been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Master of Mediterranean Music Award (2017) from Berklee Mediterranean Music Institute and the WOMEX Artist Award (2021). These awards honor her artistic integrity, resilience in the face of political pressure, and commitment to keeping Kurdish culture alive.
Aynur has significantly influenced the development of contemporary Kurdish musical tradition, effectively bridging historical and modern elements while reaching audiences worldwide. Her exceptional capacity to connect individuals through music affirms her role as one of the most impactful and prominent voices in both Kurdish and international music.
“To hear Aynur’s voice is to hear the transformation of all the layers of human joy and suffering into one sound. It reaches so deep into our soul, tears into our hearts, and then we are for one moment, joined as one. It is unforgettable.” Yo-Yo M
“It is for her long-term dedication to the preservation and innovation of Kurdish and Alevi culture, for maintaining the highest artistic integrity in the face of political pressure and, in doing so, for being a model for all that sing against the silencers, that Aynur Doğan is a very worthy recipient of the WOMEX 21 Artist Award.” WOMEX 2021
“She is a reason to love live music for centuries“ Javier Limòn
