Last week Turkish media had reported that the band would take part in the contest for Turkey, yet maNga’s participation became official after the announcement by the Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT).The five-person maNga, formed in Ankara in 2001, won the Best European Act Award at November’s MTV Music Awards. Vocalist and front man Ferman Akgül is joined by Yağmur Sarıgül on electric guitar, Özgür Can Öney on drums, Cem Bahtiyar on bass guitar and Efe Yılmaz on the turntable. However, the “mission” to run for Europe’s “best pop song” title is not a task every musician is as willing as maNga to undertake. Rocker Şebnem Ferah earlier this month made headlines when she told reporters that she had rejected TRT’s offer to take part in the contest.
Turkey was represented by Belgian-born Turkish pop singer Hadise Açıkgöz, and her dance song “Düm Tek Tek” came in fourth in last year’s Eurovision, held in Moscow. Norwegian Alexander Rybak won the 54th contest, bringing the title to his country for the third time in the contest’s history. Turkey won its one and only Eurovision title in 2003 with Sertab Erener song “Everyway That I Can.”
The 55th Eurovision Song Contest will be held from May 25-29 in Norway.
