Greek singer Despina Vandi and TEV issue statements regarding concert incident

Greek singer Despina Vandi, who canceled her concert in Çeşme because a Greek flag was not hung on stage, has issued a statement on her social media account. 

The Turkish Education Foundation (TEV), which organized the concert, stated, "Despina Vandi informed us that she would not take the stage at the concert due to our unchangeable sensitivity regarding this matter."

Greek singer Despina Vandi, who was expected to perform in Çeşme last night, requested that a Greek flag also be displayed on stage alongside the Turkish flag and the portrait of Atatürk. When her request was not met, Vandi did not take the stage.

"I ANNOUNCE THAT IT IS NOT POSSIBLE"

Following the incident, Vandi released a statement on her social media account, saying, "With great respect for the audience that would have honored me at my planned concert, I announce that it is not possible for me to participate in this event due to the Turkish Education Foundation's decision to change the nature of the event to a 'concert' and to adopt a prohibited and unagreed-upon political approach."

STATEMENT FROM TEV

In a statement released by the Turkish Education Foundation (TEV), it was said, "We are extremely saddened by the events that occurred on the evening of July 17 in İzmir Çeşme, during the charity concert where we planned for artist Despina Vandi to perform, in a manner that was beyond our control.

At events organized with the contributions of our supporters for the sake of equal opportunity in education, we display our Turkish flag, the poster of the founder of our Republic, the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and our foundation's poster in the same arrangement and with the same meticulousness.

Despina Vandi informed us that she would not take the stage at the concert due to our unchangeable sensitivity regarding this matter. Following this decision, we would like to inform the public that we are saddened by what happened at our concert, which we had imagined would be a beautiful night where the art of two neighboring countries would be performed, and we thank all our guests and donors who stood by us."