A Translators’ Note...
Not only was Serhad an Artist, but he was
also a Freedom Fighter who struggled for the identity
of his people. He
preferred returning to Kurdistan from Europe, leaving behind
a luxurious life. Serhad's wish to was to live in the mountains
and canyons of Kurdistan to serve his nation and its art.
He has watered our lives with his melodies, and Kurdistan’s
mountains, with his lyrics.
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The Kurdish Academy
of Culture and Art – Europe
Originally from Eleskirt, Agiri, located in Northern Kurdistan,
Serhad was born in July 24, 1970. During the first year
after his birth, his father Mihemed Ihsan passed way, and
thus Serhad was raised as an orphan. His actual name is
Sileyman Alpdoxan; he is the youngest among his siblings,
two sisters and three brothers.
Serhad spend his early years at Patnos, located in Agiri,
Northern Kurdistan and attended elementary, secondary and
high school there. He was uniquely distinguished among
his friends in school for achieving the best possible grades
and was eventually attracted to Cultural and Artistic activities.
At the age of seven, he learned playing Saz.
Lacking a personal Saz, Serhad’s only choice was
to play his brother’s Saz, which was usually hidden
from Serhad or located in a high place to avoid Serhad
reaching the instrument. However, Serhad was determined
to reach it to play due to his love for the instrument.
Troubled by his brother, he [Serhad’s brother] decided
to cut its strings, which initiated a misunderstanding
between Serhad and his older Brother for five years. Serhad’s
brother remembers those details as follows:
“At the time, we only possessed
a single Saz at home. My mother and I struggled a
complete year
to be able to afford it. While Serhad loved to play
it, I was afraid he would break it. Serhad and I had
many siblings fights over this matter, but he never
gave up his desire to play it. After a period of one
year, I found out that he was playing Saz more effective
than I was playing. After realizing this fact, I started
helping my brother and allowed him to play it.”
New generation singers of Serhad’s age in 1985-1986
were making public appearances both of Kurdistan and Turkey,
something that attracted youths’ attention. Serhad
decided to record an album, so he traveled to Istanbul.
This is was the first time he was parted from his family.
His first album named “Gulo,” which was musically
arranged by his brother, was published by OMC Publisher.
After that, due to financial reasons, Serhad returned to
Patnos...
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