Gunesh Alisafayevna Abasova (; , ''Güneš Alisafaěwna Abasava''; born 1979), often known simply as Gunesh, is a Belarusian-Azerbaijani singer-songwriter. She represented Belarus in the

Turkvision Song Contest 2013 Turkvision Song Contest 2013 () was the inaugural edition of the Turkvision Song Contest, held in Eskişehir, Turkey. Twenty-four Turkic regions, which have either a large Turkic population or a widely spoken Turkic language, participated in th ...

with the song "".

Early life

Abasova was born in

Baranavichy Baranavichy or Baranovichi is a city in the Brest Region of western Belarus. It serves as the administrative center of Baranavichy District, though it is administratively separated from the district. As of 2025, it has a population of 170,817. ...

in 1979. She is fluent in Turkish.

Career

In 2004, Abasova collaborated with Belarusian band Krambambula for their album ''Radio Krambambula 0.33 FM'' as a vocalist. She recorded two songs in Azerbaijani for the album. She has attempted to represent in the

Eurovision Song Contest The Eurovision Song Contest (), often known simply as Eurovision, is an international Music competition, song competition organised annually by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) among its members since 1956. Each participating broadcaster ...

several times since 2005. She competed in the with the song "Call My Name", with "Connect the Hearts", with "I Can't Live Without You", with "Fantastic Girl", with "And Morning Will Come" (later changed to "Tell Me Why"), with "I Believe in a Miracle", and with "I Won't Cry". She was awarded the second prize for young pop song performers at the 2005 edition of the

Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk The International Festival of Arts "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk", also known as Slavic Bazaar, is an annual festival held in Vitebsk, Belarus under the auspices of the Belarusian Government since 1992. Its main program is devoted to Slavic music. ...

. She later performed at the 2006 edition to celebrate the festival's 15th anniversary. In 2011, she was awarded the Medal of Francysk Skaryna by

President of Belarus The president of the Republic of Belarus is the head of state of Belarus. The office was created in 1994 with the passing of the Constitution of Belarus by the Supreme Council of Belarus, Supreme Council. This replaced the office of Supreme_Counc ...

Alexander Lukashenko Alexander Grigoryevich Lukashenko (also transliterated as Alyaksandr Ryhoravich Lukashenka; born 30 August 1954) is a Belarusian politician who has been the first and only president of Belarus since the office's establishment in 1994, making hi ...

. Abasova and her song "" were revealed as the Belarusian entry for the

in November 2013. The song was written and composed by Abasova herself. Belarus qualified from the semi-final held on 19 December 2013, and placed second in the final on 21 December 2013 with 205 points.

Personal life

Abasova married her Turkish husband in

Istanbul Istanbul is the List of largest cities and towns in Turkey, largest city in Turkey, constituting the country's economic, cultural, and historical heart. With Demographics of Istanbul, a population over , it is home to 18% of the Demographics ...

in June 2014. The couple had been engaged since December 2012. She currently resides in

Minsk Minsk (, ; , ) is the capital and largest city of Belarus, located on the Svislach (Berezina), Svislach and the now subterranean Nyamiha, Niamiha rivers. As the capital, Minsk has a special administrative status in Belarus and is the administra ...

Discography

Extended plays

Singles

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Abasova, Gunesh 1979 births 21st-century Belarusian women singers Azerbaijani-language singers Belarusian people of Azerbaijani descent Belarusian singer-songwriters Living people People from Baranavichy Turkish-language singers