Greek singer refuses to go on stage in Çeşme

IZMIR

A concert by Greek singer Despina Vandi on July 17 in the Çeşme district of Izmir was cancelled at the last minute. The cancellation was allegedly because the singer demanded that the Turkish flag and the poster of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, be removed from the stage.

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The concert was organized by the Turkish Educational Foundation (TEV), Izmir Branch, for educational purposes at the Çeşme Open Air Theater.

Vandi was scheduled to take the stage at the Çeşme Open Air Theater and the TEV Choir would share the stage with Vandi at the concert.

Gülnur Sonbayraktar, president of TEV’s Izmir branch, issued a statement after some time, stating that the singer would not perform due to unforeseen reasons at the last minute and that the tickets could be refunded.

After the announcement, the TEV choir sang the Izmir anthem and the audience accompanied the anthem.

Çeşme Mayor Lal Denizli said that the municipality supported the concert for educational reasons, but they were told that Vandi did not want to perform on stage.

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“Because she asked for the Turkish flag and Atatürk’s poster on the stage to be taken down. We have sacrificed too many martyrs to win these countries and we believe that brotherhood and eternal friendship will always win. No power can try to take down either our flag or Atatürk’s poster.”

Following the speech, the concert continued with a performance by the TEV choir.