Voices of women from Kurdistan, Afghanistan, Iran, and Armenia

Biographies:

Zilan Sarah Kößler
Born in Amed, Zilan embarked on a journey that led her to Germany, where she earned her high school diploma and is currently undergoing training to become a child and youth therapist. She conducts empowerment workshops (on feminism, ecology and art), and creates art and performances in the framework of art and resistance.
Every day, Zilan’s son serves as a poignant reminder of the potential for a better world. She is a dedicated participant in the project “Hevrîn Xelef Healing Herb Garden” and an active advocate for women at Flamingo e.V. With an unwavering commitment to forging innovative pathways toward a vibrant and harmonious future, she aspires to shield children without erecting barriers around them.
Her mission is to guide the rising generation to grow up resilient and courageous in a world marked by uncertainty.

Asiye Özer
In 2008 Asiye completed her undergraduate studies at the State Conservatory of Dicle University with first degree honors. She has worked as a singer, an instrumentalist and a music teacher. In 2015, upon completing her master's degree in musicology at the Institute of Social Sciences of Erzurum Atatürk University, she began her doctoral training. Her main fields of activity in Turkey have been youth welfare and social work and teaching.  She has always accompanied the people living in Kurdish areas with music and learning, and along the way often had the opportunity to support and encourage them in solving their sociopolitical issues.

Yalda Yazdani
Yalda Yazdani is an Iranian ethnomusicologist, filmmaker and curator. Currently she is working as a research fellow and also completing her PhD studies at University of Siegen in Germany. In 2017 and 2018 she founded and curated the festivals "Female Voice of Iran'', in 2021 the festival "Female Voice of Afghanistan'' and in 2023, the festival "Female Voice of Kurdistan" in collaboration with Contemporary Opera Berlin.Since 2009 she has been undertaking various fieldwork research about female vocal songs and music in different regions of Iran. From 2015 she has been organising various intercultural projects, documentaries, music workshops and concerts across Iran and Europe with the aim of creating collaboration bridges between European and Middle-Eastern musicians and artists. Her primary goal is to find ways to improve the situation of Middle-Eastern women musicians both in their home countries as well as internationally.

Samin Ghorbani
Samin Ghorbani, Iranian Classical Singer, was born in Tehran in 1985. Samin Ghorbani, the renowned singer of Iranian classical music, embarked on her musical journey at the tender age of 8 under the guidance of her father. As she progressed along her artistic path, she delved into the intricacies of voice production and vocal lines, refining her craft with mentors such as Hossein Baharbin, Parisa, and Hamidreza Nourbakhsh, who imparted the Taherzadeh style vocal line. Ghorbani's dedication to honing her art extended to a comprehensive exploration of the Iranian musical repertoire. Noteworthy performances include a concert at the Philharmonic in Duisburg, Germany, in January 2033 with the Inner Unity Ensemble, as well as a concert at the "Dede Effendi Museum" in Turkey in 2023.In the realm of education, Samin Ghorbani has shared her expertise through workshops. Notably, she conducted a workshop on the "Philosophy of Music in Ancient Iran" and another conference titled "Rock Your Body” at Siegen University. Her global presence continued with participation in events such as the Reeperbahn Festival panel discussion 2023 and a concert at Chista Festival 2023 in Stockholm.

Kimia Bani
Kimia Bani, born in 1985 in Tehran, is a percussionist and versatile artist with over 20 years of experience. After earning a Bachelor's in Theatre, Drama, and Performing Arts in Iran, she transitioned to cultural diversity in music education, achieving a Master's in World Music in Germany. Bani's global career has seen her collaborate with musicians worldwide, bridging Eastern and Western musical traditions and actively engaging with political, feminist and gender minority bands. As an independent artist, she contributes to film and television projects, crafting fusion music that blends traditional Iranian elements with contemporary styles. Recognized for her exceptional talent, Bani was awarded the Tamburi Mundi Frame Drum Award in 2021, solidifying her status as a standout figure in the global music scene. Her journey is a testament to the power of art to transcend boundaries and foster unity through the universal language of music.

Kavosh Sohrabian
Kavosh Sohrabian is an Iranian classical Ney player, recently moved to Germany, holds a bachelor’s degree in Persian Classical Music Performance (Ney) from Karaj Art University. With a profound dedication to Iranology and the environmental culture of northern Iran, he has conducted research, collaborated with Kadus music group, and performed internationally in
 places like Moscow, Belarus, and Armenia, all in the pursuit of promoting environmental and cultural awareness through music. Kavosh's teaching experience spans multiple music academies, and his contributions to the preservation and promotion of Iranian classical and sufi music and culture are noteworthy.

Talin Gracia

Talin, born and raised in Berlin to Western Armenian parents, is a multi-instrumentalist and singer. She navigates two contrasting musical paths. On the one hand she plays guitar in rock and metal bands while on the other hand she explores Armenian music with traditional instruments like the Oud, focusing especially on Western Armenian traditions. Collaborating with fellow musicians, she upholds the culture and shares these traditions with her community.
Introduced to Armenian music by her parents, Talin started guitar at seven and singing at 11, playing in various bands. She earned a Bachelor's in Music Education with a focus on Social Work in Potsdam. In Yerevan, Armenia, she refined her skills working with renowned musicians like Lilit Pipoyan and Tsovinnar Hovhannisyan. Talin teaches guitar and vocals and does band coaching, nurturing her students' musicality and emphasizing the importance of music in groups as a means  for human connection.