Zülfü Livaneli

About

Ömer Zülfü Livaneli is a distinguished Turkish musician, author, poet, and politician. Livaneli’s career spans several fields, reflecting his deep cultural and political impact. Imprisoned during the 1971 Turkish military memorandum due to his political beliefs, he went into exile in Europe, collaborating with notable artists and intellectuals. He returned to Turkey in 1984 and was appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1995, though he resigned in 2016 to protest the destruction of Diyarbakir’s Kurdish Old Town. Livaneli’s musical contributions include landmark albums like Nazım Türküsü and Güneş Topla Benim İçin, and his compositions have been performed internationally. As an author, his works such as Bliss and Serenade are acclaimed worldwide. His political career includes serving as a parliament member and contributing to legislative reforms. Livaneli has also directed several influential films, including Iron Earth, Copper Sky.