ALL THE EUROVISION COUNTRIES: (1-7). More: tomorrow.

Caffè ☕️Lattè looks back on:

ALL THE

EUROVISION

COUNTRIES

The Eurovision Song Contest was first held in 1956. Back then, only 7 countries participated. In the decades since, dozens of other nations have joined the ESC family. As Europe changed, countries faded into history as new countries and new names emerged. Eurovision itself has expanded beyond the European continent; to Africa, the Middle East and the Southern Hemisphere.

Our spotlight looks back on every country that has competed – in chronological order. 

1956

Seven founding countries participated in the inaugural Eurovision Song Contest. For the only time, each nation was represented by two entries. 

I

THE NETHERLANDS

The first song ever performed on the Eurovision stage was the Dutch entry, “De Vogels Van Holland”. The country has participated 66 times and achieved 5 wins; most recently with Duncan Laurence and the song “Arcade” in 2019 (the first Dutch victory in 44 years). The Netherlands will be competing again this year.

 

II

SWITZERLAND

 

In the inaugural Contest held in Lugano, Switzerland, the second country to perform was Switzerland. Its debut composition was sung in German. As each participant was represented by 2 songs in only that year, the second Swiss entry was the French “Refrain”. Lys Assia performed both songs. “Refrain” became the first Eurovision winner.

Switzerland has competed 66 times. Its next win was in 1988 when Celine Dion triumphed with “Ne Partez Pas Sans Moi”. This remains the most recent Swiss ESC victory. Switzerland will be competing again in 2024.

 

III

BELGIUM

 

Despite participating in 67 Contests and being one of the founding nations, Belgium has only achieved one win. This victory was back in 1986. Belgium will be participating again in May.

 

IV

GERMANY

 

During the first Eurovision Song Contest, the fourth competing song was the German entry. The country has participated 69 times, only missing out in 1996 when its entry was culled in a pre-selection round.

Germany had to wait until 1982 to finally claim its first Eurovision victory. In 2010, Lena gave the nation ts second (and most recent) win with “Satellite”. The country has thus won the Contest as West Germany and then as a re-unified nation. Germany is one of the “Big 5” countries and is guaranteed a place in every Grand Final.

 

V

FRANCE

 

French songs dominated the first Eurovision Song Contest, with songs in that language representing Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and, of course, France. The first winner was sung in French.

As well as competing in the first Contest in 1956, France has been present in a total of 68 Contests. In the early years of Eurovision, France soon took the lead for most victories. It has won 5 times; the last win being in 1977. France automatically pre-qualifies for the Grand Final as one of the Contest’s “Big 5” countries where its 2024 entry “Mon Amour” will be performed.

 

VI

LUXEMBOURG

 

By the 1980s, Luxembourg was one of the most successful Eurovision participants. Dating back to the first Contest in 1956, the Grand Duchy competed 39 times. It accomplished 5 wins. The most recent was in 1983.

Ten years later, Luxembourg competed for the final time. Last year, it was announced that the country would be finally making a comeback to Eurovision in 2024 after an absence lasting more than three decades (with the song "Fighter" to be performed by Tali Golergant).

 

VII

ITALY

 

The idea of staging the Eurovision Song Contest came from Italy. The ESC is based on the Italian Festival di Sanremo which still takes place annually and where Italy’s Eurovision entry is selected. Although held in Switzerland, the inaugural competition in 1956 was hosted in Italian (the official language in host city Lugano).

Italy won Eurovision in 1964 and 1990 before boycotting in 1997. This finally ended in 2011. Italy won its third Contest in 2021 with Måneskin’s “Zitti E Buoni”. As one of the “Big 5” countries, the Italian entry always pre-qualifies for the Grand Final which will take place this May.