Hovanissian, Vardan & Emre Gultekin - Karin

Vardan Hovanissian and Emre Gultekin symbolise reconciliation between peoples through the melancholy but hopeful sounds of the Armenian duduk and the saz, Turkey's emblematic instrument. Their second album Karin, the Armenian name of Erzurum, located in present-day Turkey, refers to the birthplace of Vardan's grandfather, one of the 200 survivors of an estimated 40,000 Armenians deported during the Armenian genocide. The duo not only explores the relationship between Armenia and Turkey, but also the musical wealth that can be found in this turbulent region on the edge of Europe and Asia with Georgia, Iran and the Kurds.