Greece in Eurovision 2025: Will Turkey succeed in preventing the participation of singer Klavdia and the song “Asteromáta“? All the details on the sharp diplomatic clash.
“Asteromáta” (translated as “Star Eyes”) is the title of the song performed by Klavdia, representing Greece in the first part of the second semi-final of Eurovision 2025, to be held in Basel, Switzerland, on May 15. Reactions from Greece’s eastern neighbors after last Thursday’s national final have sparked significant interest in European media.
According to Turkish sites following Eurovision, Turkey’s national broadcaster, TRT, accused the Greek song of addressing the Pontic Genocide, an event where Pontic Greeks were massacred and deported by the Ottoman Empire. If proven that the song indeed deals with this subject, the Turks intend to formally complain to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). It might lead to the disqualification of the song, or its creators might be asked to update its lyrics—similar to the EBU’s request to change the lyrics of the song “Hurricane” by Eden Golan in Eurovision 2024.
Accusations from Turkey
Klavdia clarified immediately after her victory that her song does not deal with a specific event but rather addresses all people forced to leave their homeland due to wars and conflicts. The singer stated after her victory, “The song was written for all the people who have been displaced and separated from their loved ones. The song does not address a specific issue.” However, the Turks are not satisfied and claim that before the Greek final, the singer said during a television program on the Greek television network, ERT:
“My family is from Pontus, they are refugees and that is why I connect to the song. My grandmother told me the stories and told me about her family; how they were exiled at the time and moved to the Soviet Union. My family was born there, grew up there until a certain age, and returned to Greece in 1991 and started their lives anew there.”
According to the Instagram account of Eurovision Türkiye, with over 50,000 followers, representatives of the Turkish television network confirmed in a conversation with them that they also received these reports and intend to thoroughly investigate the matter. If they determine that the song deals with the Pontic Genocide, they will file an official complaint with the European Broadcasting Union, and it may result in the disqualification of the song. Although Turkey has not participated in Eurovision since 2013, the Turkish television network, TRT, remains an active and influential member of the EBU.
The Pontic Genocide
The Pontic Genocide refers to the mass slaughter and deportation of Pontic Greeks by the Ottoman Empire between 1914 and 1922, as part of a broader campaign against Christian minorities. While Greece, Armenia, and several other countries officially recognize these events as genocide, Turkey denies that a genocide took place, akin to its claims regarding the Armenian Genocide, arguing that the deaths were part of the broader chaos of World War I.
“Asteromáta” (translated as “Star Eyes”) was written by the singer herself along with Arcade, who wrote Greece’s Eurovision entries for 2020 and 2021, “Superg!rl” and “Last Dance” by Stefania. The song is performed in Greek.
Klavdia took the stage of the national final wearing a cream-colored outfit, consisting of a tight top and wide-leg pants, accompanied by five dancers in bodysuits. The stage appeared relatively empty, featuring a backdrop of sky and lightning, creating a dark atmosphere. The singer’s vocal performance was excellent, delivering the song impeccably and moving the audience.
“Asteromáta” deals with a deep sense of longing and pain over separation and loss, using romantic and poetic language. The singer addresses a beloved figure she calls “little star” and “star eyes,” expressing her desire to be close to them, feel their presence, and find rest and calm. Imagery such as “My dear mother, don’t cry” and “My old body, the flames will not defeat it” convey resilience in the face of hardships, while maintaining a deep connection to nature and the past, mentioned through “the sand of my roots” and yearnings for a return to home or a safe place.
Klavdia – Who Are You?
Klavdia Papadopoulou, a Greek singer who rose to fame after participating in the Greek version of The Voice in 2018, is one of tonight’s most compelling contenders. Her mentor during the competition was none other than Eurovision winner Helena Paparizou, who guided her all the way to the finals.
For “Ethnikos Telikos 2025,” Klavdia collaborated with Arcade, a team of renowned music creators and producers who also wrote her entry “Asteromata.” The song blends modern elements with traditional Greek music, creating an emotional and captivating piece. With its melancholic tone, “Asteromata” draws inspiration from Klavdia’s family’s survival story during the Pontic Greek genocide—a deeply personal narrative that adds significant weight to her performance.
“Asteromáta” Lyrics:
Astéri mou
Astéri mou
Glikiá mou mána min mou klais
Mávra kai an sou forúne
To kséthoro to sóma mou
Flóges den to nikúne
Ta chelidónia tis fotiás
Thálasses kai an pernúne
Tou rizomú ta chómata
Poté den lismonúne
Asteromáta mou mikrí
Gýre na se filíso
Sta ágia sou ta dákria
Ta cheíli mou na svíso
Asteromáta mou mikrí
Gýre mou na se piáso
Ta ksechasména mou fterá
Sterná na ksapostáso
Ach astéri mou, tzivaéri mou
Glikiá mou mána min mou klais
Karávi eínai i zoí mou
Pou psáchnei gia ton girismó
Agéra to paní mou
Asteromáta mou mikrí
Gýre mou na se piáso
Ta ksechasména mou fterá
Sterná na ksapostáso
Ach astéri mou, tzivaéri mou
Ach astéri mou, tzivаéri mou
Aѕtéri mou
Source: eurovisionfun.
Eurovision 2025: This will mark Greece’s 45th participation in Eurovision. Greece joined the competition in 1974 and achieved its best result in Eurovision 2005 when singer Helena Paparizou won first place with the song “My Number One”.
