Die Band Bajar aus Istanbul spielt kurdisch-türkischen Folk-Rock – oder Protest Punk, wie sie selber sagen. Im Interview sprechen sie über die Lage in der Türkei und über Klubsbesitzer, die sich nicht trauen, kurdische Bands zu engagieren. Sie erzählen aber auch von Hoffnung – nämlich der Stiftung, an welche die Einnahmen ihrer Konzerte fliessen.
We are telling stories of people whose life started losing 1-0
Rana Öztürk: Your band is located in Istanbul. We only hear the worst – how is life there at the moment?
Bajar: The slogan of the bajar music is that «Euphrates water is pouring to Marmara». We want that in the big cities like İstanbul, which are reformed by migration, people from different cultures can live together with their own colors. Unfortunately, mainstream politicians in turkey, for the sake of vote, emphasize discrimination and polarization for their own interests. Therefore, our society is in a tense situation. The war in the Middle East also affects our moods.
Bajar means «city» in kurdish. Why did you choose this name?
As musical sound we come from a folk-rock tradition. We are making hybrid music that is fed from popular urban music. We are trying to catch the new language of the city. We cross the by-street rather than the gleaming main streets. We are telling stories of people whose life started losing 1-0. We are trying to convey discrimination, neo-liberalism, etc.
Where do you see the potential of cities in general – compared to the countryside?
With the entrance of the internet and social media in our lives, the distinction between urban and rural culture has diminished considerably. Everyone can follow everything everywhere. Of course, in cities, the capitalist neoliberal lifestyle is dominated. For example, one of our songs, «Betbeyaz», tells the routine world of white coasters in our city. City life is more intricate. This lifestyle changes our personalities. This change is also reflected in our creativity. There is also the influence of this lifestyle in the psychological style of Bajar. Of course, we are also very impressed with western groups like Pink Floyd, Rage Against The Machine and Massive Attack.
Your songs are in turkish and kurdish. Why?
We use both languages in our daily life, in literature, in cinema. We want to establish the language of a hybrid life. Cultures become even richer as they hybridize on equal terms. Of course we are positively discriminating against Kurdish because it is a language that suffers from pressures.
Are there any influences of one or the other language on the type of the song?
Firstly, the story of the song is determined. Or, if the melody is formed first, it could be Kurdish or Turkish according to the maqam and rhythmic character. Sometimes we also do bilingual songs.
Are there differences between kurdish and turkish music? Which ones?
Of course. Narrator musicians in Kurdish are Dengbêjs, narrators are Âşık in Turkish folk music. Singing styles are different. But in cosmopolitan places like Urfa, Kerkuk, the music of many people is intermingled: Kurds, Turks, Arabs, Armenians, Assyrians.
As you mentioned, your songs include also different musical influences. How did you find or get to this hybrid style? What are your main influences?
Whatever musical style you create, it is important that you cultivate the land where your music lives. Just as music such as rock and funk has come out of the tradition of the African culture, for us it is the exit point of music tradition of Anatolia and Mesopotamia. We are trying to hybridize the tradition of maqam and rhythm with urban music…
I read that you’re working with this mixed styles, so you can overcome nostalgy.
We want to make up-to-date music, not ancient. We are talking about sorrows, troubles, but we never want to get into a deadly submissive mood. We show that, authenticity is something that is moving, changing.
Who is listening to your music?
We have a style of protest punk. We’re making some loud music, sometimes. Accordingly, young and middle-aged people are more likely to listen. But our romantic love songs reach many people.
Can the individual music taste be a political statement in current turkey?
Politics is our life itself. Every music or musician has an implicit political stance, even if he does not make political music. Political apathy is also a policy.
Your songs are about ghettos, discrimination and cultural normativity. When did you decide to make music that is not only nice but political?
If you are doing Kurdish music, you have no chance of getting involved in politics 🙂 We are all dreaming of a peaceful, pluralistic society and living with our differences. That is, libertarian integration.
Do you think that your music surpasses cultural and social barriers?
Art works like music can reach more than political events to prejudiced people because you can touch people’s heart. Like beating the stone with water (a Turkish proverb). Quietly and deep.
Is there protest or opposition to your music?
Of course, in countries like ours… For example, in cities in the west, many music clubs do not want Kurdish music performances on their venue. Despite the fact that some of their owners are Kurds. They are afraid of the neighborhood pressure. They do not want to lose customers. Many of the municipalities and public institutions that organize festivals with our taxes do not give much to languages other than Turkish. Not only Kurds, but also flames, armenians, opponents are sufferer…In the Kurdish provinces, many activities are already forbidden. The revenues of your concert go to the Basak foundation in Istanbul. How are you related to this foundation? We have been doing joint organizations with Başak Foundation for years. We always support social projects, both Bajar and my other Kardeş Türküler projects. It’s in the nature of the art what we do.
The foundation offers a broad and free education for moneyless children and youth, who had to flee from rural lands to the city…
With forced migration, many people are on a timeless journey. They are unprotected and unprepared. Unfortunately, the governmental instutions are also dealing with other things (assimilation etc.). It is our duty to…
Bajar spielen am 8. April um 20.30 Uhr in der Aktionshalle.
Die Konzerteinnahmen gehen an die Stiftung Basak in Istanbul. Aktuelles Projekt: «Lehrgang für Kinderrechte». 10 bis 15 jährige Mädchen und Buben, die sozial und wirtschaftlich benachteiligt sind, lernen über zwei Jahre die Menschenrechte kennen, respektieren und schützen. Sie entwickeln Verantwortung und soziales Bewusstsein. Ihre Fähigkeiten zur Zusammenarbeit und ihr Teamgeist werden gefördert. Nur so kann ein friedliches Zusammenleben auch von kommenden Generationen gepflegt werden. Die Stiftung stellt den Lehrgang auch Schulen und Behörden in der Türkei als Modell zur Verfügung.