ISTANBUL. - Kurdish singer Aynur Dogan faced criticism of the audience as she sang Kurdish song during a concert held in the framework of 18th Jazz Festival in Istanbul.

The singer was booed by a group of spectators. They called on Dogan not to sing in Kurdish and respect memory of 13 Turkish soldiers allegedly killed by Kurds the day before, Turkish Atilim website reports. 

Another part of the audience supported Dogan applauding loudly. The singer had to leave the concert hall after clashes broke out.

The organizers expressed concern over the incident, saying one should not forget about the  language of culture and art.