Perwer, accompanied by the Ensemble Wien Klang orchestra, was performing at the Konzerthaus in Vienna. Perwer’s concert was attended by Austrian President Heinz Fischer and politicians with Kurdish backgrounds, including Iraqi Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani, ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) deputies Dengir Mir Mehmet Fırat and Gülşen Orhan, now-defunct pro-Kurdish Democratic Society Party (DTP) former leader Ahmet Türk, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputy Sırrı Sakık, former DTP deputy Aysek Tuğluk and former Democracy Party (DEP) deputy Sedat Yurttaş.Fischer made the inaugural speech at the concert and said he had long worked for a solution to problems faced by Kurdish people. He also noted that he has many Kurdish friends, including Barzani. During the concert, Perwer recounted the stories of a number of his songs in English, German and Turkish. While talking about his song titled “Lo Mamo” (Hey Uncle), he gave messages of unity and solidarity and later recited the call to prayer.
Meanwhile, at a reception before the concert, the AK Party’s Fırat said he believes that as an artist, Perwer will contribute to the process of the democratic initiative and that they would like him to return to Turkey.
Stating that they had come not only to listen to the music, Türk said they wanted to be with the artist, who was putting voice to the demands, pains and hopes of the Kurdish people on this day.
Perwer not planning to return to Turkey
Speaking to the Anatolia news agency before the performance, the singer stated that he does not plan to return to Turkey unless basic problems concerning the country’s Kurds are resolved. Noting that he would like to return to Turkey, Perwer said: “Who would not like to return to his country and people, especially after such a long absence of 25 years? My return does not make sense unless some basic problems [involving the Kurdish people] are solved.”
Perwer said the government’s democratic initiative was important and that he felt encouraged about the open discussion of previously taboo subjects but that there are pro-status quo mindsets that want to prevent the initiative from being successful. The concert was supported by Fischer, Austrian Education Minister Claudia Schmied, the Municipality of Vienna and a number of businessmen in the city.
