Episode 1 - Moving to Berlin and Fighting for Freedom

Iranian singer and violinist Luna Cavari shares her experience navigating life in Berlin after moving from Iran at age 18 to pursue music. The conversation centers on the intersection of personal identity, artistic expression, and the ongoing political uprising in her home country. Cavari highlights the stark contrast between the restrictive environment for women in Iran—where solo singing is prohibited—and the creative freedom she found in Berlin’s jazz scene. She challenges Western misconceptions about Iranian culture, emphasizing that the current protests are driven by a desire for fundamental human rights and freedom of choice rather than a rejection of religion itself. As a member of the cross-cultural band Sistanagila, she reflects on the emotional toll of witnessing the brutal state response to protestors from afar while balancing her life as an immigrant artist.