Participant: Group Sapphire
Song: Leylaklar soldu kalbinde
Writer(s): Sami Hodara & Figen Cakmak
Composer(s): Fani Hodara

Turkey always had a bad luck to hit the right "European" taste in Eurovision. The melodies often have been too much oriental and not very easy to listen. That's why they often shaped up extremely bad. But the Turks tried it again and again. In spite of 1997 when Sebnem Paker sang "Dinle" in Dublin they had the 3rd rank! The interest for Eurovision is quite enormously. There were 195 songs send to TRT for the final!

This year there is a more traditional contribution, which is also modern arranged. After the success of Ofra Haza, Sezen Aksu and Tarkan in Germany, a Turkish sound could also have chances.

Buket Bengisu is a 22 years old singer from Istanbul. Together with the group Saphhire she will sing the song "Leylaklar soldu kalbinde" (Lilacs have faded in your heart). The song could be the European summerhit!? The voices of all the singers sound brilliant alltogher. The rehearsals went quite well and the stage looks great with the Turkish group.