Flags for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), Wales, Kosovo and Palestine are among those that can’t be displayed at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. The event is taking place in the Swedish capital Stockholm this weekend.
New rules introduced by the competition’s ruling body have limited the flags to just the 42 participating countries. Flags used by their local, regional or provincial regions, other countries’ national flags, and those containing commercial, religious or political statements are all prohibited.
The ban has infuriated both Turkish Cypriots and the Welsh, who are incensed their national flags have been lumped in with those of terrorists such as ISIL. It also seems particularly harsh on the British entry given one half of the duo is Welsh: Joe Woolford of Joe and Jake fame was born in Ruthin in Wales.
Former KONSEY (umbrella group for UK-based Turkish Cypriot associations) head Ahmet Baştürk has launched a petition calling on the arena owners AEG to revoke their flag rule, although the decision actually rests with the event organisers Eurovision.
The petition claims the decision is “unjust and racist”:
“As Turkish Cypriots we are shocked and dismayed that the National Flag of the Turkish Republic of North Cyprus has been banned from the arena at this years [sic] Eurovision Song Contest. We see this as unjust and racist. We do not deserve to be treated or shown to be in the same dimension as the ISIS flag which is also banned. We are not terrorists.”
No Turkey or Turkish Cypriot entry at Eurovision
Turkish Cypriots have been frozen out of the competition for decades. Only South Cyprus may represent the island in the competition.
In 2009, Zeliş Şenol tried her luck in the qualifying rounds and got to the finals in Cyprus. Although her song I’m Gonna Break Up, written by Greek Cypriot Nicos Evangelou, was recognised as a strong contender, as those living in North Cyprus were unable to vote and those in the South preferred a Greek Cypriot artist, she was eliminated.
Turkey, which won Eurovision in 2003 with Sertab Erener’s Everyway That I Can, is not involved in this year’s contest. The country pulled out in 2013 citing dissatisfaction with the change of voting rules and has not returned since.
National broadcaster TRT has refused to televise the show these past three years. It is thought the conservative AKP government is unhappy with scenes showing female participants kissing (2013 in Finland) and Austrian drag queen Conchita Wurst winning in 2014.
