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BREAKING NEWS: What do Turkish diplomatic sources say about the “Asteromáta” issue?

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The discussion continues in Turkey regarding Greece’s song titled “Asteromata” for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025, and the possible “hidden” message the song may contain regarding the Genocide of the Pontic Greeks, something that has never been mentioned by the Greek representative Clavdia.

Turkish diplomatic sources now appear to be involved in the discussion surrounding Greece’s participation in Eurovision 2025, following the news that Turkey’s public broadcaster, TRT, is going to examine the lyrics of Asteromáta, and take appropriate action if anything objectionable arises according to its judgment.

Diplomatic sources in the neighbouring country seem to have stated the following, regarding the possibility that the Greek song may refer to the Genocide of the Pontic Greeks:

“What the Pontic Greeks experienced cannot be characterized as genocide,” they said, adding that according to the 1948 Genocide Convention, these events are not genocide, and we cannot allow historical distortions.”

The Pontic Genocide refers to the mass killings and forced displacement of Pontic Greeks by the Ottoman Empire between 1914 and 1922, as part of a wider campaign against Christian minorities. While Greece, Armenia and several other countries officially recognize these events as genocide, Turkey denies that genocide took place, claiming that the deaths were part of the general chaos of World War I.

Eurovision Fun is closely following developments surrounding Turkey’s displeasure over the Greek participation and will keep you updated with more articles.

Source: Nefes Gazetesi

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Turkey: Withdrawing from Eurovision was the right choice says Erdogan!

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It is known that Turkey has abstained from the Eurovision Song Contest for the last 12 years with their last participation dating back in 2012 when the contest took place in Baku, Azerbaijan, a country that Turkey considers as a brother nation.

From 2013 onwards, the country decided to stay away from the competition, initially expressing its opposition to the regulations of the contest, including the status of the Big 5 countries and the introduction of the juries that determine 50% of the final result. Then came the addition of Turkey’s discomfort with the visibility of LGBTQI people with the then director general of the country’s public broadcaster, TRT, making a direct reference to drag personality Conchita Wurst who won the competition in 2014 on behalf of Austria.

Today the President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan himself, in his political statements made a direct reference to Turkey’s abstention from the song contest. Specifically, he stated that:

‘It’s been 12 years since we didn’t participate at this disgraceful contest. It was a right decision by us. It’s impossible to find normal person at Eurovision and it promotes weird people because it’s a deliberate attempt to remove gender term.’

You can watch the relevant statement from a post on X below

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Turkey: Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu supports country’s return to the Eurovision Song Contest!

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In Turkey. some days ago, the six parties which constitute the main country’s political opposition announced that their leader is going to be Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who is already the leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP). That specific party was founded by Kemal Ataturk himself approximately 100 years ago.

According to the recent exit polls which took place in Turkey, Kılıçdaroğlu seems to be the odds-on favourite to win the elections, since his political beliefs are more acceptable by the majority of the Turkish people and more friendly towards the West World, in contrast to Erdoğan’s. Driven by those data, there are a lots of people who actually believe that Kılıçdaroğlu’s policy could mark the possible return of Turkey in the contest.

Turkey’s Republican People’s Party can be characterized by its oppostition towards the old, traditional islamic beliefs that are supported by Erdoğan’s current policy and system of governance. Kılıçdaroğlu himself has mentioned multiple times during these last months that if he actually wins in Turkey’s elections on May 14th, he will be a trustworthy member between Turkey and West’s discussions for a much better cooperative future and that his primary goal will be the restoration between Turkey and West World’s policies.

It is a shame for Turkey to withdraw from Eurovision

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu commented also on Turkey’s decision to withdraw from the Eurovision Song Contest, under Erdoğan’s rule in 2013, describing it as a shameful decision.

It is a shame for Turkey to withdraw from Eurovision. Our artists will go there, sing their songs and folk songs. Countries will vote, someone will win. This is a competition. Artists become even more popular by taking part in international competitions and by winning awards. That’s the proper form of a foreign policy.

To make a long story short, Turkey’s elections in spring seem to be of high importance regarding not only the serious political decisions for the people but also the country’s possible return in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Let’s keep in mind that Turkey last took part in 2012 in Baku, Azerbaijan, represented by Can Bonomo singing “Love Me Back” which came seventh at the end of the Grand Final. Take a look:

Would you like to see Turkey returning? Let us know in the comments below!

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Turkish chances to return to Eurovision got slimmer as TRT Chairman steps down

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Hopes to see Turkey  returning to Eurovision seem to have reduced as Ibrahim Eren, the former chairman and general manager of Turkish public broadcaster stepped down as director.  Eren recently made public that TRT was in contact with the EBU to discuss the potential return of the country to the pan-European competition.  However, president Erdogan decided to replace him.

A few weeks ago Erenrevealed that the public broadcaster was seriously discussing a potential comeback.

Our Board of Directors still continues with the same decision, but meanwhile, we are also in talks with ‘Eurovision’. A very good person came to ‘Eurovision’ from Northern Europe. I think this year was very successful. After a long time, they had a nice competition. Our friends started meeting with the newcomer. I don’t know what will happen?

Furthermore, the EBU itself  confirmed that they were in direct with TRT, in order for Turkey to return to the Eurovision Song Contest.  The EBU made the following statement on eurovision.tv:

Turkey hasn’t participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2012, pressing pause on a rich history within the competition that includes 34 entries and a 2003 victory thanks to Sertab Erener’s Every Way That I Can.

Despite the break in participation, the Contest remains popular in the ‘land of four seasons’ and speculation about a potential return has been fueled by İbrahim Eren, Chairman and Director General at national broadcaster TRT, after commenting on the prospect of Turkey returning to the Eurovision Song Contest.

 

However, Ibrahim Eren’s departure from his position, reduces the possibilities of seeing Turkey in Eurovision for 2022.  Ibrahim Erem publicly thanked Erdogan via Twitter for the opportunity he gave him in his previous role.

Ahmet Albayrak will take office as the  new President of TRT .  At the same time, Mehmet Zahid Sobacı will take the role of new General Manager . Both Albayrak and Sobacı are political allies of Erdogan and members of the Islamist AKP party.  Therefore, their profiles do not seem to reconcile with the spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest.’

Nevertheless, fans can keep their hope of a future Turkish return to the competition.  This however, will depend of a political decision by Erdogan who may be interested to demonstrate that Turkey remains a European country and to improve his international reputation.

Do you think that Turkey will finally return to the Eurovision Song Contest?