Statement from TEV regarding the concert crisis in Çeşme: 'Due to our unchangeable sensitivity...'

Following the crisis that erupted at a concert held in the Çeşme district of İzmir to support the Turkish Education Foundation (TEV), after Greek artist Despina Vandi requested that a Greek flag be placed next to the Turkish flag, a statement has been issued by TEV.

After refusing to take the stage, Vandi claimed the concert had been politicized, stating: "Out of great respect for the audience that would have honored me at my planned concert, I announce that it is impossible for me to participate in this event due to the Turkish Education Foundation's decision to change the nature of the event into a 'concert' with a political approach that was prohibited and not agreed upon."

STATEMENT FROM TEV

The statement issued by TEV is as follows:

"We are deeply saddened by the events that occurred, through no fault of our own, during the charity concert where we had planned for artist Despina Vandi to perform in Çeşme, İzmir, on the evening of July 17. At events organized with the contributions of our supporters for the sake of equal opportunity in education, we display our Turkish flag, a 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 envisioned as 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."