On the 3rd of June Mizgina Rengin, a Kurdish singer and Give Something Back to Berlin (GSBTB) community member, is hosting a charity concert at Refugio in collaboration with Our Bridge and GSBTB to raise funds for a school in a refugee camp in Iraq.
Our Bridge’s education program in Khanke, Kurdistan-Iraq, offers free schooling to orphans and children from local and UN camps. It encompasses a wide range of subjects including Kurdish, English, history, maths, art, and biology. Launched in March 2018, the program employs 27 dedicated staff members. Transportation is provided through a school bus, and the facilities extend beyond classrooms to include workshops and knitting courses tailored for widows. This initiative is designed to provide uninterrupted education for both children and staff members, many of whom had their studies disrupted by conflict.
As she is a cherished member of our community, we decided to give you an insight into her life, her way of perceiving music, the motivations driving this concert, and how it intertwines with GSBTB.
Born in Kurdistan, she started her musical journey as a vocalist in a band. However, her family’s departure when she was just 19, prompted by her father’s activism, changed her life. Arriving in Essen, Germany, as a refugee, she found herself confronting a stark reality: despite years of singing, her musical knowledge was very limited.
“Music is like a canvas, and I only knew how to use certain colours” she reflected. “I knew everything about microtonal music, but then, in Germany, I discovered a completely new palette. I had to learn how to blend it with mine and find a way to use my voice to paint my own picture”.
Her perspective on music has always been deeply spiritual, but it reached a new level when she chose to leave Germany and travel alone around the world. “Since music is the medium that connects people, the best way to channel that powerful energy is to be inspired by people, and I wanted to know as much as possible. So I left; it was only me, my voice, and my feelings”.
When COVID started Mizgina was in Mexico. She wanted to return to Germany, but this time to Berlin, where she got to know Give Something Back To Berlin. “I fell in love with the concept of giving and receiving”. At the time she was giving singing lessons and decided to volunteer as a singing teacher at the GSBTB project. “In the organisation you are always heard. It feels like stumbling upon an oasis in the desert – a rare find where creativity flows freely, fueled by the diverse intelligence of its people. Give Something Back to Berlin is authentic in its mission, and that is why I find myself represented by it”.
Mizgina was eager to organise a concert, and she found Our Bridge organisation to be the perfect fit for her cause. Without hesitation, she reached out to Give Something Back to Berlin for assistance with logistics, and by the end of the day, everything was arranged.
“My life’s purpose is to forge connections with everyone I encounter. It’s a mission I feel destined for. Bringing people together is a calling I’m deeply passionate about, and I believe I can achieve it through my voice. Singing brings me immense joy, especially when I perform at my concerts. That’s why I feel it’s only right to use my music, my art—something I love—to support a noble cause. It’s a way to sustain myself while also making a positive impact on others.”