Turkey
The basics Full country name Republic of Turkey Capital Ankara Facts First participation 1975 (Semiha Yanki) Victories 2003 (Sertab Erener) Hosts Istanbul 2004
Turkey made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1975 and to date, the country has made 34 appearances. Like neighbouring Greece, the new millennium saw a reversal in Turkey's fortunes at the Eurovision Song Contest and Sertab Erener went on to win in Riga in 2003 with 'Everyway That I Can'.
Until Turkey won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003, the country had only finished in the top ten on three previous occasions. When Sebnem Paker finished third in 1997 with Dinle.
The 2004 Eurovision Song Contest held in Istanbul was a breakthrough competition featuring the first ever Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final. The official Eurovision heart logo was also introduced where the flag of the host country came to be the centrepiece of the logo and an official DVD was produced for the first time.
The noughties were a time of great success for Turkey and saw the country regularly placing well inside the top ten, often in the top five. Only once did Turkey fail to qualify to the Grand Final.
2012 was the last time that Turkey participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. Broadcaster TRT continues to be a member of the European Broadcasting Union and has the right to return to the contest in the future.
