Kurdish singer Sivan Perwer plays Akropolis Wednesday as part of the Respect Plus ethnic and world music concert series.

Perwer is far more than just a singer - he's also a figurehead for Turkey's Kurdish minority, and for Kurds around the world.

Accompanying himself on the Arabian or Turkish lute, with a backing band containing oriental instruments, male and female backing vocalists, and violins, many of Perwer's highly emotional songs, sung in a piercing, powerful voice, concern his people's struggle against repression.

For many years, the Turkish government prevented broadcasting or recording in the Kurdish language and even owning a Perwer recording in Turkey could lead to imprisonment.

Perwer, who left Turkey in 1976 and now lives in Sweden, is still prevented from performing live in his country of birth.

Despite these restrictions, the singer, now in his late 40s, has become a star and a symbol of resistance throughout the Kurdish world, recording countless albums and touring constantly.

Tickets for the Akropolis show are 300 Kč.

The show starts at 7:30pm.

RELATED WEBSITE: http://www.respectmusic.cz/