Singer Klavdia will represent Greece at the 69th Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, Switzerland, with her emotional ballad “Asteromata” (Starry Eyes), after winning the country’s first national final since 2017. 22-year-old Klavdia, whose full name is Klavdia Papadopoulou, first rose to prominence as a finalist on The Voice of Greece, where she was mentored by Paparizou. She later gained a following on TikTok, amassing over 200,000 followers, and released platinum-selling singles including “Haramata” and “Vasanizomai,” which earned her Best Newcomer at the Super Music Awards in Cyprus in 2023. Her song “Lonely Heart” topped the Shazam Discovery List.
Greece’s entry for the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, titled Asteromata, has been described as a “provocation” and “propaganda” by Turkish media, with Ankara considering filing a formal complaint with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Turkey’s national broadcaster TRT has announced that it will review the song following allegations that it refers to the Pontic Greek Genocide, a historical event that Turkey refuses to recognise.
According to Turkey’s state broadcaster TRT, authorities will examine the content of the Greek song, and if it is determined that it references claims regarding the Pontic Greek Genocide, a complaint will be lodged with the EBU. Turkish diplomatic sources, cited in the newspaper Turkiye, stated that they do not acknowledge the events as genocide and do not support what they perceive as historical distortions.
Greek statements that sparked reactions
Tensions escalated following remarks from Greece’s Eurovision representative, Klavdia, who in an interview with ERT’s Proïan Se Idon on January 16 shared a personal connection to the song. She explained:
“We always wanted to create a song that I could deeply relate to—something that connects to my roots. The song speaks about displacement and refugee struggles. Our country has experienced this deeply, from our grandparents’ history to the present day, with refugees arriving in Greece seeking a better life.”
She also revealed her personal connection to the story, recounting how her grandmother, also named Klavdia, shared stories of her family’s forced departure and exile to the Soviet Union. Her parents were born and raised there before returning to Greece in 1991 to start a new life. These statements were interpreted by Turkish officials as confirmation of what they deemed a “provocative” intent behind the song.
The tragic history behind “Asteromata”
Asteromata is an ethnic ballad centered around themes of refugee hardship and forced migration. The title itself, Asteromata, is a traditional term once used in Smyrna to describe women with strikingly bright eyes. Klavdia, who has Pontic Greek heritage, drew inspiration from her family’s history of exile, aiming to highlight the suffering and displacement endured by the Pontic Greek community. The song speaks to loss, longing, and the search for a better future in a world plagued by conflict.
Denial of Pontic Greek genocide
Turkish diplomatic sources reiterated their stance, asserting that claims of genocide are unfounded and represent a misrepresentation of historical events. They emphasised that no recognised court has officially designated the displacement of the Pontic Greeks as genocide. They further argued that, under the 1948 Genocide Convention, the events in question do not qualify as genocide, stating that there was no systematic policy aimed at the complete extermination of the population. Rather, they claimed it was a period of rebellion met with state-imposed measures.
Some Turkish media outlets also countered Greece’s narrative by suggesting that if Greece wished to engage in a legal discussion on genocide, it should also address allegations of cultural genocide against Turkish communities in the 1980s.
Turkish YouTuber moved to tears by “Asteromata”
The song has already sparked emotional reactions, with a Turkish YouTuber reportedly moved to tears after listening to it, further fuelling the ongoing debate.
From Eurovision to diplomatic tensions
The Eurovision Song Contest has historically been a stage for political disputes, and this latest controversy has led Turkey to threaten an official intervention with the event’s organisers. If TRT determines that the song indeed references the Pontic Genocide, the broadcaster has warned that Turkey will express its discontent at the highest diplomatic level.
Turkish media coverage
Various Turkish media outlets have commented on the issue:
- Duvar reported that TRT has initiated an investigation into the Greek Eurovision entry following allegations that it references the Pontic Greek Genocide.
- Artı Gerçek highlighted the growing tensions between Turkey and Greece over Eurovision, noting that TRT is conducting a review of the song’s lyrics.
- Nefes stated that Greece’s Eurovision song has sparked a diplomatic crisis, underlining the broader political implications of the controversy.
Greek politician Evangelos Marinakis responded to the Turkish reactions, stating:
“Eurovision is a music competition, not a political one.”
The contest will take place in Basel, May 13 – 17. 2025.
Also read: Junior Eurovision 2024 – Cyprus team ready for Madrid
With information from: Maria Zacharaki / en.protothema.com / keeptalkinggreece.com
