On April 2, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with members of the Bashkortostan-based band Ay Yola. The reception took place at the presidential complex in Ankara, according to the Turkish leader's communications department, which published photos from the event.

The meeting took place without the participation of the press. Photos circulated show the band performing a musical composition in the presence of the head of state.

The day before the reception, the band performed on the TRT Avaz television channel. The concert was timed to coincide with the celebration of Navruz, a traditional spring holiday of the Turkic peoples.

Ay Yola works in the ethno-pop genre. The band gained widespread recognition after the release of the song "Humay," which is regularly played on Turkish radio stations and contributed to the group's popularity outside of Russia.