The Turkish participating broadcaster, Türkiye Radyo ve Televizyon Kurumu (TRT), selected its entry through a national final.

Türkiye Radyo ve Televizyon Kurumu (TRT) held the national final on 1 March 1997 at its television studios in Ankara, hosted by Bülent Özveren and Meltem Ersan.

Ten songs competed, and the winner was determined by an expert jury.

[3] On the night of the contest Şebnem performed 2nd in the running order, following Cyprus and preceding Norway.

[4] This was the best result Turkey had ever reached at the contest up to that time, and will remain so until their victory in 2003.