Sky Dive 2013 Banja Luka - European Championships and World Cup Formation & Artistic Event

In this episode, I’m back on familiar ground, just a stone’s throw from where I grew up in West Kensington.

And in today’s episode, we’re stepping into a story that weaves together place, memory, and music in the most unexpected way.

I sit down with Fidan Hajiyeva, raised in London, rooted in Azerbaijan.

Her story is one that’ll speak to anyone who’s ever felt they belonged to more than one world. At home, she’s surrounded by language, custom, and tradition that echo from the Caspian coast.

But out in the city, she’s navigating the fast-paced rhythm of modern London life.

At the heart of it all? Moham, a centuries-old Azeri singing tradition that Fidan is not just learning, but living.

Guided by her father’s passion, late-night Skype sessions with a mentor in Baku, and her own deep curiosity, she’s taking on a musical challenge that even seasoned performers in Azerbaijan hesitate to tackle.

We talk honestly about heritage, expectations, gender and performance, and what it means to carry a cultural torch when you’re far from its flame.

Fidan doesn’t hold back, about the nerves, the hopes, or the sheer scale of what she’s set out to do this year as part of the BBC Radio 3 Roots Academy.

This is more than a chat about music, it’s a quiet reflection on identity, belonging, and what happens when you find your voice in the space between two homes.

So, whether you’re into music, diaspora stories, or just curious about how culture gets carried forward one song at a time. this one’s worth a listen.