Anger, solidarity and music: The Berlin benefit concert for Rojava brought together KIZ, Pashanim and Koma Berxwedan – for Rojava.
On June 1, 2026, the Columbiahalle opened its doors again at 8:00 p.m. – and combined music with a good cause. A benefit concert took place under the name “Berlin for Rojava” that combined classical Kurdish music with typical Berlin rap to create an evening that was as emotional as it was entertaining. On the one hand, attention should be drawn to the political injustice in Kurdistan and the suppression of culture and life, and on the other hand, the highest possible amount of donations should be raised for humanitarian care for the civilian population. Donation goal for the evening: 100,000 euros.
The lineup is impressive at first glance: absolute greats of the German music scene – from KIZ to Pashanim to Paula Hartmann. But this evening goes far beyond the pure experience of seeing your favorite artists live. This is the second benefit concert in the Columbiahalle. As in the previous year – back then for Gaza – 3,500 people came together this time. Sold out hall, an evening marked by despair, anger and turmoil – and yet by a shared passion: music. One thing is certain: music is definitely political.
The situation in Rojava
Despite the ceasefire agreement in Rojava, the situation remains tense. Attacks on infrastructure have taken place, cities have been besieged and escape routes blocked. The organizer’s website says: “Kurds, women and religious minorities are particularly affected and thus exactly the achievements that Rojava has stood for in recent years: democratic self-government, equality and solidarity.”
The lineup
The full lineup includes: AK Ausserkontrolle, Ceren, Hakim Lokman, Hoti, KIZ, Koma Berxwedan, Kurdo, Lune, OG LU, Pashanim and Paula Hartmann. The opening of the evening offered classification and explanation – honest, raw and emotional. Images in the background highlighted the frightening conditions in which Rojava finds itself. The message: look out for each other, show solidarity and enjoy the evening. The audience did.
Culture and History: Koma Berxwedan
The evening opened musically with culture and history. Founded in the 1980s, disappeared from the scene for seven years – but last night on the stage of the Columbiahalle: Koma Berxwedan, a Kurdish symbolic group and an integral part of the Kurdish freedom movement. The audience was visibly excited. You didn’t have to speak Kurdish to understand that this performance was moving, significant and powerful.
Lune, Paula Hartmann and Hoti
This performance was followed by a contribution from Lune, a singer and rapper with Kurdish roots. With her strong yet soft voice, she performed songs that could hardly have been more thematically appropriate. The theme was clear: freedom – freedom for all.
Paula Hartmann then took the stage – a special surprise since she is neither on tour nor playing at festivals this year. Although her songs tend not to address directly political topics, she took a clear stand and found the right words for the evening. She dedicated her last song to her Kurdish best friend – a moment that visibly moved her and the entire audience.
The rapper Hoti came on stage with plenty of energy and captivated the audience with a mix of existing and unreleased material.
Paula Hartmann in an interview: “Nobody is made for the public”
KIZ, OG LU and Kurdo
Then “Hurrah, the world is ending” was shouted – because KIZ was there, and really. I have rarely seen the Columbiahalle so loud. Songs that shaped a generation and are as relevant today as they were back then. Jumping took place not only on stage, but also in the audience. Kurdish flags in the air, loud singing.
Frankfurter Power took the stage: OG LU impressed with a strong performance and words that met with widespread approval. For many, the subsequent performance by rapper Kurdo was the highlight of the evening. As he himself said, it was only his second time performing in Berlin. His songs were the anthems of a youth – and yesterday they were enlivened with new memories.
Ceren, AK Out of Control, Pashanim and Hakim Lokman
Ceren then came on stage and touched the audience with a German-Turkish song. AK Ausserkontrolle followed their performance with the “Berliner Anthem”. The entire audience screamed “BERLIN LIVES” – and just when you thought the mood had reached its peak, Kreuzberg’s Diamant Pashanim came onto the stage. With each song the mood continued to rise; the message was clear. His songs combine summer rap with a political message.
The evening was concluded by Hakim Lokman, who impressively took up the cultural aspect again towards the end. 3,500 happy faces, Kurdish singing echoed through the venue, over the stands – everyone celebrated, everyone was together, everyone had the same goal, the same wish: freedom for everyone.
Conclusion
An absolutely successful evening – varied, emotional and haunting.
You can still donate here: https://www.medico.de/spenden/berlin-fuer-rojava