Crimean Tatar singer to perform with Turkish pop star
Jamala, who will give a concert tomorrow in Istanbul, says she feels 'completely safe' in Turkey post-coup bid
Satuk Buğra Kutlugün
August 16, 2016•Update: August 30, 2016
Ankara
ISTANBUL
Eurovision Song Contest winner Jamala will perform a duet with prominent Turkish singer Sertab Erener on Tuesday in Istanbul.
Talking to reporters before a scheduled concert in Istanbul on Wednesday as part of the "Turkcell Yildizli Geceler" (Turkcell Nights Full of Stars) program, Jamala said she felt "completely safe" in Turkey despite last month's failed coup bid.
"I know very well from Ukraine's unpleasant experiences that music is an inspiration and a source of hope for people," Jamala said.
"That's why I came to Turkey," she added. "I feel completely safe here. I feel no danger at all."
Jamala won the 61st Eurovision Song Contest in May with her song "1944", which refers to the deportation of the Crimean Tatars under Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
The 2016 Eurovision Song Contest winner went on to say she had invited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to attend her concert on Wednesday.
Offering her condolences to the families of the victims of the July 15 coup attempt, Jamala said she draws inspiration for her songs from tragedy.
"Any tragic incident can become a source of inspiration," she said.
"My only wish is to tell history -- history that I saw with my own eyes," the singer added, referring to the often tragic history of the Crimean Tatar people.
On Tuesday night, Jamala will perform a duet with Sertab Erener, a well-known Turkish singer/songwriter and winner of the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest with the song "Every way that I can".
