The Voice of Sorrow and Strength
In the 1980s, Turkey was going through a period of rapid transformation—economically, politically, and culturally. As people migrated from rural towns to big cities, many experienced displacement, isolation, and emotional strain. Arabesque music became a soundtrack for this internal migration, and Bergen, with her tragic story and emotional depth, embodied the pain and nostalgia of an entire generation.
While male arabesque singers sang about betrayal and desire, Bergen’s music introduced a woman’s voice to the genre—a voice that was not only heartbroken but also brave enough to speak up. She didn’t hide her pain behind metaphors; she confronted it, lived it, and sang it.
