Natalie Papazoglu will be representing Ukraine at Turkvision 2020, we spoke to her just ahead of the contest on December 20.
Thanks so much for talking to us, how are you feeling ahead of the contest?
My feelings are very mixed. On the one hand, I am glad that the competition will finally take place, but on the other hand, I am very worried, because my team was preparing for the competition very quickly. We didn’t know if the competition would take place 100% or if everything would end at the last moment.
How did you first get involved in music and how has your singing evolved over the years?
Consciously I started my musical path at the age of 20, but I had an interest in music since childhood. At first, I tried to imitate famous world stars, and then I found my face. Now I can say with confidence that I perform the most difficult songs. I always have the passion to defeat the unconquerable.
You’re no stranger to competitions having competed in the X Factor, what was that experience like?
The X factor was a great experience for me. I gained a lot of knowledge, especially in the theatrical sphere, staging images. And I also received a lot of love from the audience and this is for me the most priceless treasure.
It’s been five years since you were first selected to compete in Turkvision, how does it feel to finally compete?
I just want to do it. The fact that the competition is held online does not allow me to fully open up and show all the ideas that my team created. My only hope is for the viewer who can plunge deeper into my soul and see the true message.
How does it feel to be representing the Gagauz community in Ukraine on an international stage?
I am a Gagauz and proud of it. I am proud that the Gagauz people are a Turkic nation, regardless of where they live. And I consider myself as one with every person in this world who has Turkic roots.
Can you tell us more about your song “Tikenli yol”?
“Tikenli yol” is the thorny path that I am walking. Each person has this path – his own, but in a sense it unites us all. This song is all of me, my soul, my world, which I want to share with every person. Give everyone the tremendous strength and faith that is in me. And to show people that each of us has that divine light that gives us strength to go further. The main thing is to defeat fear. I wrote this song myself, so this is my purest confession to the world. And Lyudmila Bazadzhi very professionally made the translation of this song into the Gagauz language. Luda is a very talented person and close friend, I am very grateful to her for being with me.
What can we expect from your performance?
In my performance, you will not see evening dress and jewelry as at a concert. My costume is the image of a poor warrior, a life wanderer, who steps barefoot along a thorny path. And no matter how painful and scary, he continues to walk. Every emotion, every movement of my body has meaning. Just read it.
Finally, what is one thing you’d say to your fans or people who will be discovering you for the first time through Turkvision?
Do not be afraid to follow your dream, believe in yourself and believe in the people around you. All tests are given to us only so that we can learn to defeat them and become stronger. Love each other, because this feeling is priceless.
Eurovoix World wishes Natalie the best of luck at the contest on December 20.
Image Source: Radioband.org
