Madonna performs in Turkey after 20 years

PLEASE NOTE: THIS EDIT CONTAINS CONVERTED 4:3 MATERIAL

Madonna's fans in Turkey have been waiting a long time for this moment, in fact nearly 20 years.

The last time the queen of pop performed here was in 1993 and judging by the crowd's reaction, it was worth the wait.

55,000 people packed into the Turk Telekom Arena in Istanbul, with many fans beforehand remembering the Material Girl as she was.

SOUNDBITE: Seda Altinok, Fan, saying (English):

"I am very excited to see Madonna again because I was in her first concert 19 years ago, now I am on my 30s and I am really excited to see her again."

SOUNDBITE: Sanem Bozan, Fan, saying (English):

"I think it is going to be once or twice in a lifetime. I think tonight is mostly about women because I see a lot of women everywhere. And we are really curious about what she will say about women in Turkey. Will she give any messages for women to Turkey."

Istanbul was the latest gig on Madonna's world tour, next up is Rome on Tuesday (June 12).

Cindy Martin, Reuters