Kurdish icon Perwer hopes to share stage with Tarkan

ISTANBUL

Tarkan had appeared on stage with the traditional Kurdish scarf known as "poşu" during his concert in Diyarbakır in 2011. DHA photo

The iconic Kurdish musician Şivan Perwer has said that he would like to give a special concert together with Turkey’s “king of the pop,” Tarkan, during an interview aired on March 22 on private broadcaster CNN Türk.  Perwer said that Tarkan came to Arbil in northern Iraq as his guest for two days, during which they had long discussions. “He has a very beautiful soul. He is a very good artist,” Perwer said.

Perwer said he wished Turkish musicians and Kurdish artists would collaborate musically and sing together, adding that this would make the country a better place. “Turkish people listen to a number of foreign artists. I am the son of that country, why wouldn’t they listen to me? Is it because I am singing in Kurdish?,” he asked, adding that he is ready to contribute if the ongoing peace process between the government and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) bears its fruits.

Perwer, who lives in Germany in exile, refuses to come back to Turkey until a solution to the Kurdish issue is found. However, he also has strained relations with the PKK as he was threatened after taking a critical stance toward the organization, following years of dedicated support. He earned the praise of many in Turkey when he slammed PKK sympathizers during a concert in Holland in 2011, telling his audience to “watch [their] children if [they] don't want them to attack [their] own people and become clowns” like PKK militants. He is widely regarded as the most acclaimed Kurdish artist from Turkey.

Responding to rumors a joint concert with the much beloved pop diva Sezen Aksu was in the works, Perwer said that he had not been in direct contact with the singer. “I would be very happy if she calls. We have not been directly in contact until now, but we have transmitted our greetings” Perwer said.