¨Hejar¨, is a person with a heart of gold and a mind of a poet. He is a very dear friend of mine. Even though I have only known him for the last three years it feels like we have been friends for a lifetime. He’s not of those persons who walk through other people’s lives without leaving a trace, he always leaves a mark. Hejar has always been there for me and has never let me down; with his music he mends the wounds of my heart and gives me comfort in life. Listening to his music is something I can do indefinitely. Hejar is soulful and wonderful person and this is his story:

Hejar Duhoki was born in the Kurdish town of Ormiye, located in the eastern part of Kurdistan.

His father, Adil Duhoki, he himself a prominent artisan in the field of music, quickly noticed that both of his sons had substantial musical talents. Hence he wanted them to follow in his footsteps, and in accordance with this desire, he arranged musical lessons for them both. But it was only Hejar who formed a lasting relationship with the world of music: starting his distinguished career playing at weddings and minor concerts. His two primary passions were, from the very beginning; singing and playing the keyboard.

His musical career’s external scenery underwent a drastic change at the tender age of 16, when he and his family, because of his father’s political activity, was forced to flee to Sweden. In 1997 Hejar and his family moved to the cordial little town of Falköping.

Before his exodus from eastern Kurdistan he and his father had been giving concerts in their home country (by that time Hejar had already become a skilful keyboard player), and now, relocated in a new country, he started a new group with another family member: his uncle Khorshid Doski. Together they formed the dance group Spirez named after a mountain in southern Kurdistan. The group performed traditional Kurdish music and dance routines, but was unfortunately forced to suspend its activities indefinitely, due to a severe financial imbalance.

But this setback didn’t stop Hejar’s musical career for long. He persistently strove onwards and gradually became an integrated and valuable part of the Swedish music scene. Hejar has worked with some of the most prominent Kurdish artists, as well as giving solo performances at concerts and weddings. These solo endeavours have now resulted in his, by his fans, long-awaited first album. Hejar is well aware of the fact that many of his fans has been waiting for a long time, but due to circumstances beyond his control it has been impossible to release it sooner.

“A great person, yet humble and noble in spirit, with his music he takes us into a world filled with sorrow deeper than any ocean, and joy higher than any mountain, in his music lies the very essence of life and the very core of human emotion”

As your dear friend I sincerely and with all my heart hope, and know, that you will be among the brightest stars ever to have taken his first breaths in Kurdistan.

Sincearly yours 

Gülcin Cömert