This autumn, Culture Connection presents the new series Women’s Voices as part of Rotterdam’s Year of Women. The series offers a platform to inspiring female musicians and creators who choose their own path with courage and determination and make the world a more beautiful place with their art, vision and ideals. The first concert will take place on Thursday 30 October at Grounds, with performances by singer Ysa Bermejo and women’s ensemble Ayal. Together, they will pay musical tribute to women’s voices from around the world.
Spanish singer-songwriter Ysa Bermejo passionately sings lyrics with a powerful social message, inspired by Latin American icons such as Toto la Momposina and Celia Cruz. Her infectious, energetic music combines her Spanish roots with Latin influences and the contemporary urban sound of Rotterdam. This evening, she will perform songs from her new album Gabriela. Accompanied by guitarist Michalis Michailidisar, she sings about female strength, freedom and motherhood.
The Ayal Ensemble is a Rotterdam-based collective of female musicians from all over the world. It was founded by the singer Emine Tokail. Through their own interpretations and personal narratives, they breathe new life into folk songs written by or for women, music that is often overlooked. Performing in languages such as Arabic, Persian, Turkish, Kurdish and Greek, the ensemble revives the rich musical heritage of women from different cultures, creating music that touches, connects and moves. The Ayal Ensemble consists of: Emine Tokail (vocals), Khorshid Dadbeh (tar, tanbur), Lucie Rosanne Lelaurain (duduk), Flavia Escartin (cello), Hasret Zilan Yildiz (percussion) and Borbála Malyi (baglama, lavta).
Location: Podium Grounds, Pieter de Hoochweg 125, 3024 BG Rotterdam
Date: Thursday 30 October 2025
Start: 7:30 p.m. (doors open: 7:00 p.m.)
Aanvang: 19:30 uur (zaal open: 19:00 uur)
🎟️ Tickets
More information: www.culture-connection.org en www.grounds.nu
Listening tips:
Ysa Bermejo music videos: Tarantino Se Muera
Ayal music video: Atashi Dar
Women’s Voices is a Culture Connection production in collaboration with Grounds, Codarts Global Musics, the Rotterdam Year of Women, the Mano Foundation, and others. Thanks to the Municipality of Rotterdam, the Culture Fund, the Elise Mathilde Fund, the Neyenburgh Fund, and the Van Beek-Donner Foundation for their support.