Sakina Teyna Septet

Sakîna Teyna is an exceptional singer, whose distinctive voice carries a rare blend of emotional depth and unwavering conviction. Born in the small Anatolian town Varto and raised on the poetic Deyiş stories, her work is deeply rooted in the Kurdish Alevi tradition. Her music is far more than traditional preservation – it is the living reflection of her eventful biography, an amalgamation of tradition and contemporary influences.

Her artistic journey began in the 1990s, at the renowned Mesopotamia Cultural Center (MKM) in Istanbul. Following a politically forced break, she began to realize her full potential in Austria in 2006 and established herself as a pioneering artist with her solo album ROYÊ MI. Since then, she has been exploring new sonic worlds in her various projects – with Trio MARA, she translated Kurdish traditions into a modern context, and with Sakîna & Friends created an intrepid connection to jazz and improvisation.

Today, Sakîna Teyna is not only considered an influential voice of the international Kurdish music scene, but also an impressive activist for women’s and human rights. Her multilingualism, the stories from her homeland, and her strong stage presence make for concerts full of strength, warmth, and poetic depth. In her current project, she has returned to the vision of the Sakîna & Friends formation, widening its scope to a world-class septet of internationally renowned musicians from Iran, Austria, Slovenia, Venezuela, and Croatia, who together translate Kurdish heritage into a global soundscape.

Sakina Teyna – Vocal

Dalina Del Valle Ugarte Contreras – Violin

Nora Romanoff – Viola

Ivan Turkalj – Cello

Mahan Mirarab – Guitar / Arrangements

Marko Ferlan – Double Bass

Amir Wahba – Percussion / Drums