Aynur presented by World Music Institute

Aynur is one of the most prominent Kurdish singers of our times. Her impressive voice and extraordinary musical narration represent the Kurdish music heritage of her cultural roots as a global genre. Her unique voice infuses traditional Kurdish folk music with the contemporary sensibility of Western music. Over the past 25 years, she has created a timeless musical language, combining the treasures of Kurdish traditions with modern arrangements that connect generations and cultures.

Aynur’s unique approach seamlessly connects the roots of Kurdish music with modern sounds, bridging generations and shaping a dynamic, evolving tradition that brings the past into harmony with the present. her work not only preserves tradition but also reimagines it for a global audience, reaching listeners across generations and cultures.

She is one of the best sellers with her albums among Kurdish folk albums. Her albums are praised not just in Kurdish and Turkish media but also in international media. She appeared as cover issue of numerous important world music magazines such as Songlines Magazine, Folk Roots (fRoots), The London Times and Sons, and featured in important newspapers such as The Guardian, El Pais and FAZ.

Aynur’s remarkable career has led to collaborations with world-renowned musicians, 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. Her talent has also been recognized in cinema, with unforgettable appearances in Fatih Akin’s documentary Crossing the Bridge: The Sound of Istanbul and Morgan Neville’s The Music of Strangers, which tells the story of Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble.

Her dedication to preserving and reinterpreting Kurdish and Alevi musical traditions has earned her prestigious accolades. In 2017, Aynur received the Master of Mediterranean Music Award from Berklee College of Music’s Mediterranean Music Institute for her contributions to preserving Kurdish oral traditions and blending them with modern Western styles. In 2021, she was honored with the WOMEX Artist Award at the World Music Expo in Porto. The award recognized her commitment to cultural preservation and innovation, as well as her artistic integrity and resilience against political pressure.

Aynur has shaped today’s Kurdish musical tradition, creating a bridge between the past and the present while reaching listeners across the globe. Her ability to connect people through music affirms her place as one of the most powerful and influential voices in Kurdish and world music.