She’s the Turkish pop star who secured her country its first, and so far only, win at Eurovision with her eye-popping performance of “Everyway That I Can” in 2003.

And now Sertab Erener continues to grab headlines, this time by fuelling speculation that Turkey will return to Eurovision in 2018.

The singer made the claim — which has not been confirmed by Turkish broadcaster TRT — in a recent Instagram Live session.

“How do you feel about being the first Turkish woman who won Eurovision?” she’s asked.

“What can I say..I’m very happy,” she says. “I think TRT will start participating again next year at the Eurovision — I mean we as a country will participate. And that’s what I’m telling you from here. I hope the one who represents us will win the contest.”

“But on the other side I hope it will not happen so I can stay the first person to win the Eurovision for Turkey. And of course this Eurovision time is very stressful. I do not know who will represent us but I wish him luck, patience. It is very important to have a nice song.”

Turkey infamously withdrew from Eurovision back in 2013, citing their displeasure with the mixed jury/televote scoring system and the status and immediate qualification rights of the Big Five countries (France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom).

Turkish fans have grown slightly more hopeful in recent weeks following staff changes at TRT.

Ibrahim Eren, the broadcaster’s new general director, is thought to have a more international outlook than his predecessors.

At the time of his appointment, he made that much clear on Twitter.

“TRT will continue its goal of being active in Turkey and in the world with its production and publications based on national culture.”

Former artists, including Eurovision 2009 star Hadise, have subsequently made public calls for the country to return to the contest.

On May 16, Eurovision 2009 singer Hadise shared a photo from her performance on Instagram, along with the following caption.

I hope my beautiful country will again participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. 8 years ago today I was on the stage during the finals and I still feel the energy I felt that day when I got on stage and saw our beautiful Turkish flag in everyone’s hands.

TRT has not confirmed or denied Sertab’s comments and fans seem hopeful that she may have spilled the beans.

Surely if anyone outside of the broadcaster knows anything, it would be her — a national icon who is very well-placed in the music industry.

In any case, are you hopeful that Turkey is on the road back to ESC? Do you think Sertab make such a big statement if it wasn’t true? Or was she just being hopeful? Let us know in the comments box below.

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EscSweden
EscSweden
6 years ago

It’ll be good to see Turkey back at ESC. They almost always sent pretty original songs. I can’t wait for Lisbon’18 :))

Liam Lindsay
Liam Lindsay
6 years ago

I think if Kazakhstan debuts and Israel is able to compete I think that it’s highly likely that Turkey will return to the contest

AngieP
AngieP
6 years ago

First, Turkey withdrew presenting ridiculous excuses. The big 5 system exists since they used to participate, it’s not sth that appeared now. As for the 50/50 system, Turkey has nothing to complain about, because they were top 10 most of the times, if not every time the past decade, mainly thanks to their big diaspora in Europe. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying they’ve sent bad songs, some of them are still my favourites, but that’s not a reason. As I understand, Sertab just expressed her wish to see her country again at ESC. She didn’t make any official… Read more »

rharding
rharding
6 years ago

Is HD version of “Everyway That I Can” 2003 by Sertab Erener available? Please provide the link. Thank you!

Hazar
Hazar
6 years ago

No thanks

??????????
??????????
6 years ago

Hopefully Turkey sends something Traditional, either An amazing Balkan ballad for our European Brothers, or an Amazing rock song, or Turkish folk. You give us time and they will smash it next year.

??????????
??????????
6 years ago

we really need a good well performed song,from Turkey, to wow Europe if the comeback will be strong I know if Turkey selects the right song through selection then Turkey is here to stay
Vote for Turkiye 2018, TRT don’t let us down

??????????
??????????
6 years ago

Seriously politics isn’t an issue, turkey have participated for how long and politics was never an issue, we really need a good well performed song,from Turkey, to wow Europe if the comeback will be strong, otherwise there’s no point bothering, if Turkey selects the right song through selection then Turkey is here to stay
Vote for Turkiye 2018,

Nickc
Nickc
6 years ago

The moment I saw the article was about Turkey, I knew there would be at least 4 or 5 racist comments. You guys cannot even restrain yourselves. I wonder what justifies that kind of extreme prejudice. You realize that half of Turks hate Erdo?an s guts, do you?

Darren
Darren
6 years ago
Reply to  Nickc

Talking about the politics cal leader and his policies is hardly racism. C’mon dude Gervinho a grip. I see no comments of ‘racism’ here. Racism would be “I hate Turkey” …I don’t see any of that. However commenting on the policies of its leader is free speech.

brooklyn94
brooklyn94
6 years ago

Woohoo!! Everyway that I Can’s epic intro bells are playing on my mind already!!
Bum bu dum bu dum burah burah bum!!

CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
6 years ago

We’ve been here before, and usually it never comes to pass. I’ll believe it ONLY if Turkey’s national TV service resubmits its membership papers to the EBU, pays the usual required fee and has a press conference announcing its return to Eurovision.

Davve
Davve
6 years ago

As long as dictator Erdogan is in power I doubt it. He want to turn Turkey into a Islamic State.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

Erdogan was already in power when Turkey won in 2003 and during the contest in 2004. After that Turkey got pretty good classifications and great entries. I don’t think this should be associated with him and he and his government should not be a reason for Turkey not to return to Eurovision. Is not like we have perfectly functioning democracies in all ESC members, do we?

Tusán
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

Of course we don’t but you can see how these rather authoritan countries associate Eurovision to the West which they don’t want to support so they always attack the contest itself too. The Turxit (sorry lol) from Eurovision is based on the growing anti-West hate propaganda, it’s very obvious, so I don’t see why Erdogan would want to allow his nation to participate again unless he wants to do damage control regarding Turkey’s image as a country.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago
Reply to  Tusán

Yes, that I got. The thing is that some say that Turkey should never get in due to Erdogan and its government. And this I am against to. We have countless examples of nationalist or (half-)authoritarian countries competing and no one is raising this issue concerning them. Why only with Turkey?

blondboybc
blondboybc
6 years ago

Well, I’ll believe it when they are on the official list of participants put forward by the EBU next year. It would be good to have them back, as they bring an Oriental flavour to the contest and often do well (even if the Turkish gov’t doesn’t think so!) I think Hadise’s performance was my favourite so far for Turkey. 🙂 One thing’s for sure: Azerbaijan will be glad to have back their guaranteed “douze points”! 😀

escphbelgium
escphbelgium
6 years ago

Am I the only one who doesn’t want them back! They’re just a bunch of whiny bitches who couldn’t accepted defeat and goes on a pointless rant-fest about the Big 5 (which FUNDS the contest) and the voting system instead of taking the blame themselves!

Just because A) a bubbly girl defeated them B)they didn’t qualify C) they didn’t get top 5, it doesn’t mean they should go berserker on them. They should learn from their mistakes and try again!!

escphbelgium
escphbelgium
6 years ago
Reply to  escphbelgium

I’m going to a get a lot of backlash for this

BJKli
BJKli
6 years ago
Reply to  escphbelgium

The things you are complaining are all in hands of pro government TRT and not actually the Turkish fans who are all not like this at all and just want to be a part again of ESC.

Btw I dont care about it, but u gotta admit the Big 5 rule is pretty stupid even if they fund the contest. I hate when people (or countries in this case) buy success…

Joe
Joe
6 years ago

Let Erdogan and his nationalist supporters stay away from this contest. Wherever Turkish nationalist go, they bring in war, blood amd extremism.

Leyla
Leyla
6 years ago
Reply to  Joe

The supporters of erdogan arent nationalists xD they are just religious. They even dont call their own turkish they just call them self muslim xD Erdogan it self is not Turkish he is from georgian origin and he is caucasian not turkish. XD The nationalist turks are mostly supporting Atatürk and they are more modern and secular. The supporters of Erdogan are just islamic. They don’t like being “Turk” because they thing being Turk means being not islamic because Turks fighted against arabs.

Denis
Denis
6 years ago

There has been talks of them returning since 2015 without them actuallly returning so I don’t believe it until I see it.
Furthermore how succesfull would Turkey be in this new ESC? Their entries were all one trick horses composed of either shallow ethno entries or rock groups, both have since long fallen out of favour in ESC.

Ric
Ric
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

You can’t even imagine Turkey’s potential when it comes to music. It is a huge industry within all kind of genres and musicians, so, they have a winner for every taste.

Swe23
Swe23
6 years ago
Reply to  Denis

Well what do you want them to send? Some swedish-like mainstream songs? Well, I think we already have too many of that kinda songs which sound like another. Sertab is the first person bringing oriental vibes to the contest, and then athena also brought ska for the first time ever and in the following year they also brought some shamanic vibes. At least they never copy one another like many other countries and they always send songs having something from their own culture

Dave m
Dave m
6 years ago

Eurovision should be just about music and performance, no politics. It’s about people having a great time. It would be good to have turkey back.

Justin K.
Justin K.
6 years ago

It’d be nice if they came back and stuck to their guns with ethnopop because Azerbaijan and Armenia are slowly becoming more mainstream (Azerbaijan, mostly). As much as they complain about the jury, there are countries like the U.K. and the Czech Republic which can’t seem to garner enough public votes to be real contenders. In fact, a lot of the Balkan countries (maybe besides Serbia) seem to struggle in one or the other despite having respectable entries sometimes, but they still try year after year. Ehh, regardless it’d be nice to have Turkey back since they’d still most likely… Read more »

Zebb
Zebb
6 years ago

And most likely they’ll be trashed by juries for several reasons…

Velma ESC
Velma ESC
6 years ago

Here we go again… Has anyone else noticed that Turkey speaks about returning every single year and they often confirm their participation at some point. They never actually came back. I won’t believe anything before the final list of participants will be revealed.

DyGh
DyGh
6 years ago

O yay, more politics on the way.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago
Reply to  DyGh

Yes, I’m afraid that we won’t see “Dum-Dum-Tek-Teks” but just “Face the Shadows”.

goprake
goprake
6 years ago

I am highly skeptical, but well, this year a Turkish return isn’t as unlikely as in previous years, so let’s see. *grabs popcorn*

Azaad
Azaad
6 years ago

I’d say because of politics no, but also yes from a PR move. If Russia, Belarus and Israel participate, both of which I’m fine with, Turkey should be allowed to as well, although for those opposed to and marginalized by the government I can understand their apprehension.

Jo
Jo
6 years ago

If it’s true, I think the return is likely to happen in 2019. Slovakia has more chances of returning next year.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

We need Turkey back! Let Lisbon be the city that marks Turkey’s come-back!

Leo M
Leo M
6 years ago

It would be great to see Turkey return, they nearly always send a great song. You never know, they could continue the trend of a returning country to win the contest like in the past two years

Darren
Darren
6 years ago

Maybe if the Turkish get rid of the Erdogan government regime we might see Turkey back at Eurovision, but until then, I will class this as Sertab’s own opinion just misinterpreted and simply a rumour.

I will welcome Turkey back if it’s true though. I loved quite a few of their entries.

danielvarga
danielvarga
6 years ago

I’ll believe it only when I see the name “TURKEY” with the running order number in the corner of the screen during a performance… but I’m 100000% sure – unfortunately – that Erdo?an won’t let TRT come back to ESC, he (and his party) doesn’t want Turkey to be part of Europe…

ERDE
ERDE
6 years ago

Turkey had great entries: maNga, Mor ve Ötesi, Yüksek Sadakat… More of similar music please!

DenizNL
DenizNL
6 years ago

Come back! Ive been hoping for this since they left. First Hadise and now Sertab? Turkey just has to come back. I hope they send Murat Boz, Atiye or Gulsen, they are amazing.

darko
darko
6 years ago

Yes, please! My favourite country of the contest. This is the best news.
<3<3

Turkish Delight
Turkish Delight
6 years ago

I won’t believe it until I hear it from TRT. It sounds like a wishfull thinking. On the other hand, Sertab is not just someone. But let’s face it, if Erdogan says yes, it’ll happen, there’s no other way UNFORTUNATELY…:(

Alex
Alex
6 years ago

Considering the last two winners being from the returning countries, Turkey might have a chance to come back and win

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  Alex

I’m curious to see how strong is their migrant power in 2017. I remember back in the 100% televoting era France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Albania, Macedonia and Azerbaijan always had top points for them, so that they would get 80+ points from these countries alone. Armenia had a similar number of stable countries that voted for it and this year their televote score was a disaster, so I want to see if Turkey’s migrant voting power has decreased too (I really hope it has, since it’s not fair to get free points).

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

The jury has mitigated that effect. This was precisely one of the issues that Turkey left, as they felt that the jury was biased against Turkey. It has to be said that during the pre-1998 years, the jury were not a bit generous with Turkey, even with perfectly good entries.

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago
Reply to  L'oiseau

I’m all for 100% televote but some countries (Turkey, Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Serbia, Russia) always have their points inflated because of their diaspora and neighbors.

L'oiseau
L'oiseau
6 years ago

See, exactly for that reason (and others) I think like Churchill about the current system: “it’s the worst system, expect for all the others” 🙂

Aliya
Aliya
6 years ago

Well I am turkish and I can say that it’s 99% that Turkey will comeback. Because TRT and also the Turkish government wants to make Turkeys image again better because of political situations. So I can say its almost clear and 99% that Turkey will code back. Also the broadcaster of TRT changed, and he wants Eurovision.

TheStellarSeaCow
TheStellarSeaCow
6 years ago
Reply to  Aliya

That’s exactly why I can see them coming back too. It’s a good PR move for them. I also just genuinely miss having Turkey in they contest, they always brought something decent to good.

Aliya
Aliya
6 years ago

Well I am turkish and I can say that it’s 99% that Turkey will comeback. Because TRT and also the Turkish government wants to make Turkeys image again better because of political situations. So I can say its almost clear and 99% that Turkey will come back. Also the broadcaster of TRT changed, and he wants Eurovision.

ninasublatti
ninasublatti
6 years ago

too good to be trur

Polegend Godgarina
6 years ago

I won’t believe this until TRT itself confirms it, but the odds are not against Turkey’s return this time. I’m not a fan of their past entries, they’ve proved to be pretty much one-trick ponies with either ethnopop or rock band songs, so I hope that if they do return they send something different and unique!

Ana
Ana
6 years ago

Their rock entries were pretty impressive though

That Greek Girl
That Greek Girl
6 years ago

OMG! Yes, Turkey should definitely return! Their songs are amazing and they have many great singers. ????