The Voice of Sorrow and Strength

Bergen was the youngest of seven children. After her parents’ divorce, she moved to Ankara with her mother. Her musical talents were evident from a young age; she played the mandolin and sang at school. Encouraged by her teachers, she pursued studies at the Ankara State Conservatory, excelling in piano and cello. However, financial constraints led her to leave the conservatory, and she worked as a civil servant for a time.

Her professional music career began in 1977 at the Feyman Night Club in Ankara, where she performed Turkish classical and pop music with the Grup Locomotive orchestra. It was here that she adopted the stage name “Bergen,” inspired by the Norwegian city. Her powerful voice and emotional performances quickly garnered attention.

June 12, 2025 | 7:22 pm