Greece’s Eurovision 2025 entry “Asteromata” has been under the microscope — and not just from fans and the international jury that named it the winner of the Greek national final. According to Eurovision Türkiye, Klavdia’s entry has also been discussed by the country’s state broadcaster TRT. It will reportedly file a complaint with the EBU amid claims that it references the Pontic Genocide, a tragedy that Türkiye does not officially recognise.
The debate started following Klavdia’s interview on ERT’s “Proïan Se Idon” on January 16. She described her song as a tribute to “displacement and refugee struggles”. As a descendant of Pontic Greeks, Klavdia also revealed that “Asteromata” draws inspiration from her family’s history of exile.
Even though Türkiye has not participated in Eurovision since 2013, when international Eurovision fans knew it as Turkey, its broadcaster TRT remains an active member of the EBU. The Turkish national public broadcaster has warned that if the song is found to reference the Pontic Genocide, Türkiye will escalate the issue diplomatically.
Greece’s Klavdia says “Asteromata” is not specific to the Pontic genocide
Following her victory at the Greek national final, Klavdia addressed the controversy, once more, in a joint interview. When asked if it referred to Pontus, she explicitly stated:
“The song’s message is generally about people who have been uprooted and lost their land and loved ones. It doesn’t refer to a specific event, but rather any situation that has caused someone to lose their homeland, country, people, and everything they love.”
You can watch the full interview in the YouTube video below from 03:30.
Do you think the controversy might put Greece’s participation in jeopardy? Let us know in the comments section below.
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I can’t even imagine what would have happened if our song would have represented Cyprus in 2015. 😀
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiySoc5muuk&t=3s
Sorry Turkey, if you don’t participate, you can’t complain
I am Turkish, and I sincerely hope our irrelevant opposition gives Klavdia a boost for a top 5 finish! I think it is very timely and relevant song given what is happening in G@z@. Go Klavida, love and respect.
I am Turkish, and I sincerely hope our irrelevant opposition gives Klavdia a boost for a top 5 finish! I think it is very timely and relevant song given what is happening in Gaza. Go Klavida, love and respect.
Turkey decided not to participate so I think their window of influence is limited. TRT managed to advocate in 2015 so Armenia changed the title of the song (but I believe EBU still hoped back then Turkey was about to return soon).
Finally, instead of this I invite TRT to raise awareness about the things that happened to the non-Turks back in the early 20th century.
Even today they’re trying to wipe Kurds out
I wouldn’t mind sending Evangelia instead ??
Greece is allies with Israel who just comitted a Gen0c1de so spare me the false hearts and flowers club.
True, but c’mon not all of us agree with the stance of our government on the issue. And to be fair, almost all of Europe sides with Isr@el apart from perhaps Spain, Ireland, Norway and a few others.
Turks aren’t even taking part of the contest anymore but couldn’t let go of the chance of being such jingoistic jerks. Sometimes I think Turkey was too lucky after WWI, mfs should’ve been partitioned
If 1944 was allowed, then this should be too. It’s personal history to the artist. It would be inhumane to disallow it. Fck any begrudgers.
You’re not participating, and I bet you’re not even airing eurovision, so you got no leg to stand on.
Well… they are still paying full members of the EBU. That’s more than Australia. Still… fck them.
oh come one Turkey just stop to f…around
you dont even are part of that any more
Might not just be Turkey it annoys
Maybe it will annoy another participant who’s actively committing g3n0c1 de who might feel it’s hitting too close to home.
Especially after the latest news from Trump
The sun is shining since January…
Yeah it’s glorious weather here. I have my popcorn all is good watching idiots eat themselves up.
Best of luck to you and the other 27 IPs you use
Actually Greece’s song will precisely upset creatures as yourself, as it reminds the invasion to Israel and all the hitting by Ha mas and other te ror regims – on Israeli Jews and Arabs, and as you said – hitting close to home (to Israel) as they also butcher their own citizens in Ga za and other neighbor entities. And no, I’m not an IP of Iban. Just so happens that when someone as yourself is being so f… stupid and pitiful, that a lot of people will point that to you, just as I’m sure that your dead dad… Read more »
WTf, why do we even have to care what turkey thinks? They do not participate and they are not important now.
I bet they’re not even airing Eurovision.
They’re not iirc bc of muh degeneration and stuff
Literally nobody cares. It is good publicity for the song itself and nothing will happen. The song does not talk about anything specifically but even if it did, it wouldn’t matter just like it didn’t matter when Ukraine sent 1944 and won (don’t get me wrong, I loved it!)
Besides, TRT does not participate at ESC and has no say or power to influence decisions.
Turkey not even participating at Eurovision but causing issues… thank you next!
I think this will turn out to be a non-issue. The song does not reference or even hint at the Pontic Genoc1de at any part. I mean songs like Face the Shadow from Armenia in 2015 were extremely strightforward and drew the heat and even then no severe repurcussion was triggered.
Turkey always glugluting…
“[…] if the song is found to reference the Pontic G e no cide […]”. That passive voice is very annoying. Who and how will “find” whether that claim is true or not?
Why is Türkiye so offended by a genoc!de they committed a hundred years ago…?
Because the Turkish policy is denial.
They get triggered when someone calls them out on their genoc!dal bs
in my honest opinion turks can f off