Aysel Gürel, aged 80, lost the battle with cancer on 17th February in Istanbul. The popular lyricist was known to Eurovision fans for Opera and Iki dakika , the 1983 and 1991 Turkish entries.
Aysel Gürel was a well known figure in the Turkish arts scene. Mother of two very famous actresses, Müjde Ar and Mehtap Ar, the eccentric 80-year old lady was a poet, actress, literature teacher as well as a prolific songwriter of hundreds of hits. She died of cancer and was buried at İstanbul's Zincirlikuyu Cemetery with her trademark pink thick-framed glasses and pink feather boa decorating her coffin.
Aysel Gürel was the lyricist of Opera, the 1983 Turkish Eurovision Song Contest entry, Iki dakika from 1991 as well as many Turkish national final entries.
A very special thank you to Fatix Civelek for the information.
