Esther Béjerano & Microphone Mafia

The Profile

Esther Béjerano (1924–2021) was a Holocaust survivor, singer and activist who collaborated with Microphone Mafia on recordings that combined her testimony and Yiddish/protest repertoire with hip-hop elements.

Member of the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz; emigrated to Israel after WWII and returned to Germany in 1960; co-founder of Auschwitz Komitee Deutschland; formed a musical group with her children called 'Coincidence'; collaborated with Microphone Mafia on the albums "For Life" and "La vita continua" (collected in the box set "Love Life"); subject of the book "The Girl with the Accordion" (edited by Antonella Romeo).

A reflective review that places Esther Béjerano's life and survival at the centre of the record La vita continua. It recounts music in Nazi camps, Béjerano's emigration to Israel and return to Germany, and her decision to work with Microphone Mafia. The reviewer values the testimony and activism more than musical originality.