Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest

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Luxembourg
Luxembourg
Member stationRTL
National selection events
Internal Selection
National final
Participation summary
Appearances37
First appearance1956
Last appearance1993
Best result1st: 1961, 1965, 1972, 1973, 1983
Worst resultLast: 1958, 1960, 1970
Nul points1970
External links
Luxembourg's page at Eurovision.tv
Song contest current event.png For the most recent participation see
Luxembourg in the Eurovision Song Contest 1993

Luxembourg has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 37 times since making its debut at the first contest in 1956. Between 1956 and 1993, Luxembourg missed only the 1959 contest. Luxembourg has not participated in the contest since its last participation in 1993. Luxembourg has won the contest five times. Only Ireland (seven) and Sweden (six) have more wins.

Luxembourg's first victory was in 1961 when Jean-Claude Pascal won with "Nous les amoureux". France Gall then won in 1965 with "Poupée de cire, poupée de son". Luxembourg achieved back-to-back victories in the early 1970s, with Vicky Leandros winning with "Après toi" in 1972 and Anne-Marie David with "Tu te reconnaîtras" in 1973. Luxembourg's fifth victory was in 1983, when Corinne Hermes won with "Si la vie est cadeau". After hosting the 1984 contest, Luxembourg struggled to make an impact, only reaching the top ten twice, with Sherisse Laurence third (1986) and Lara Fabian fourth (1988). Since being relegated from taking part in 1994, the country withdrew from the contest indefinitely.

In 2014, Luxembourg's Minister of Culture, Maggy Nagel, expressed her desire for the country to return to the contest.[1][2][3] This was later explained as a "misunderstanding".[4] A collaboration with San Marino (SMRTV) was proposed,[5][6] but it was later announced that the project would not move forward due to funding problems.[7]

Recent history[]

In 2004, RTL were to return to Eurovision after an absence of 11 years.[8] However, after monetary issues, Luxembourg withdrew.[9][10] Strong rumours indicated that RTL would participate at the 2005 contest.[11] However, RTL later decided against it, and said that they would "never" return.[12] In 2008, RTL later reiterated their lack of interest in returning to the contest.[13][14]

OGAE Luxembourg[]

In recent years the Luxembourg branch of OGAE has been campaigning for Luxembourg to return to the contest. The 2008 convention held by the organization, featuring Luxembourgish entrants Corinne Hermès and Marion Welter, as well as the Portuguese entrant of the 2008 contest Vânia Fernandes, received major media attention within the country, with RTL reporting twice on the event, and were present to interview Hermès.[15][16]

Chances of returning[]

It has been suggested that RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg's public service remit, which contains a strong focus on delivering Luxembourgish news and information content to the Luxembourgish television audience, as well as RTL's status as a publicly traded company, present significant obstacles for the country's return to the ESC.[17]

RTL Group, however, is still a member of the EBU,[18] which is a requirement for entering the ESC.[citation needed]

It was announced in September 2009 that RTL was in serious considerations regarding returning to the contest in 2010. However, they would have had to secure fees regarding participation and the artist's expenses.[19] Although it was rumoured that Luxembourg would return in the 2012 edition of the contest, RTL has announced that no such intentions exist at present.[20]

On 31 July 2014, RTL Télé Lëtzebuerg confirmed that Luxembourg would not be returning to the contest in 2015.[21] It was reported on 26 October 2014 that the country's Minister of Culture, Maggy Nagel, expressed her desire for the country to return to the contest.[2][3] This was later confirmed by Nagel to be a "misunderstanding" and that the country would not be returning.[4] A collaboration with San Marino has been proposed by the broadcaster SMRTV and singer Thierry Mersch,[5] but later SMRTV clarified that there have only been talks between the two countries and that the broadcaster is evaluating other proposals.[6] However, on 24 November 2014, it was announced that Mersch had failed to raise the necessary funds in time for the project to move forward.[7]

On 21 June 2016, the Petitions Committee of the Government of Luxembourg received five petitions on various matters in relation to the Grand Duchy. One of which was for Luxembourg to return to the Eurovision Song Contest. The Luxembourg government subsequently held a debate to discuss the proposals set out on the petition, and the possible return of the country to the contest.[22] Nevertheless, RTL reiterated its intention not to participate on 22 August.[23]

Absences[]

Between 1956 and 1993 Luxembourg was only absent from the Contest once, in 1959. However, in 1993 Luxembourg was relegated from taking part in the 1994 Contest, and has yet to return.

Contestants[]

Due to the country's small size and the national broadcaster's penchant for internal selection, most of Luxembourg's entrants came from outside the Grand Duchy, mainly from France. Solange Berry, Plastic Bertrand and Lara Fabian were from Belgium, Nana Mouskouri and Vicky Leandros from Greece, David Alexandre Winter and Margo from the Netherlands, Ireen Sheer and Malcolm Roberts from the United Kingdom, Geraldine from Ireland, Jürgen Marcus and Chris Roberts from Germany, Baccara from Spain, Jeane Manson, and Diane Solomon from the United States and Sherisse Laurence from Canada. All five of the winning artists from Luxembourg were foreign, four were French and one was Greek. Out of 38 entries in total and even more performers, only the following nine were native to Luxembourg: Camillo Felgen, Chris Baldo, Monique Melsen, Sophie Carle, Franck Olivier, Park Café, Sarah Bray, Marion Welter and Modern Times. Another singer native to Luxembourg, Mary Christy, represented Monaco in the 1976 contest, reaching 3rd place.

Table key
1
 Winner
2
 Second place
3
 Third place
◁
 Last place
Year Artist Title Language Final Points Semi Points
1956
 Michèle Arnaud "Ne crois pas" French 2[a] N/A No semi-finals
Michèle Arnaud "Les amants de minuit" French 2[a]
1957
 Danièle Dupré "Amours mortes (tant de peine)" French 4 8
1958
 Solange Berry "Un grand amour" French 9 ◁ 1
1960
 Camillo Felgen "So laang we's du do bast" Luxembourgish 13 ◁ 1
1961
 Jean-Claude Pascal "Nous les amoureux" French 1 31
1962
 Camillo Felgen "Petit bonhomme" French 3 11
1963
 Nana Mouskouri "À force de prier" French 8 13
1964
 Hugues Aufray "Dès que le printemps revient" French 4 14
1965
 France Gall "Poupée de cire, poupée de son" French 1 32
1966
 Michèle Torr "Ce soir je t'attendais" French 10 7
1967
 Vicky Leandros "L'amour est bleu" French 4 17
1968
 Chris Baldo & Sophie Garel "Nous vivrons d'amour" French 11 5
1969
 Romuald "Catherine" French 11 7
1970
 David Alexandre Winter "Je suis tombé du ciel" French 12 ◁ 0
1971
 Monique Melsen "Pomme, pomme, pomme" French 13 70
1972
 Vicky Leandros "Après toi" French 1 128
1973
 Anne-Marie David "Tu te reconnaîtras" French 1 129
1974
 Ireen Sheer "Bye Bye I Love You" French, English 4 14
1975
 Geraldine "Toi" French 5 84
1976
 Jürgen Marcus "Chansons pour ceux qui s'aiment" French 14 17
1977
 Anne-Marie B "Frère Jacques" French 16 17
1978
 Baccara "Parlez-vous français?" French 7 73
1979
 Jeane Manson "J'ai déjà vu ça dans tes yeux" French 13 44
1980
 Sophie & Magaly "Papa Pingouin" French 9 56
1981
 Jean-Claude Pascal "C'est peut-être pas l'Amérique" French 11 41
1982
 Svetlana "Cours après le temps" French 6 78
1983
 Corinne Hermès "Si la vie est cadeau" French 1 142
1984
 Sophie Carle "100% d'amour" French 10 39
1985
 Margo, Franck Olivier, Diane Solomon,
Ireen Sheer, Chris & Malcolm Roberts 		"Children, Kinder, Enfants" French 13 37
1986
 Sherisse Laurence "L'amour de ma vie" French 3 117
1987
 Plastic Bertrand "Amour, Amour" French 21 4
1988
 Lara Fabian "Croire" French 4 90
1989
 Park Café "Monsieur" French 20 8
1990
 Céline Carzo "Quand je te rêve" French 13 38
1991
 Sarah Bray "Un baiser volé" French 14 29
1992
 Marion Welter & Kontinent "Sou fräi" Luxembourgish 21 10
1993
 Modern Times "Donne-moi une chance" French, Luxembourgish 20 11 Kvalifikacija za Millstreet
2022
 TBD April 10 2022 †

Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest[]

Further information: Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest
Artist Language Title At Congratulations At Eurovision
Final Points Semi Points Year Place Points
France Gall French "Poupée de cire, poupée de son" Failed to qualify 14 ◁ 37 1965 1 32

Hostings[]

Year Location Venue Presenter
1962 Luxembourg Villa Louvigny Mireille Delannoy
1966 Josiane Chen
1973 Nouveau Théâtre Luxembourg Helga Guitton
1984 Théâtre Municipal Désirée Nosbusch

Conductors[]

Year Conductor Musical Director Notes Ref.
1956 France Jacques Lasry N/A [24]
1957 Germany Willy Berking Host conductor
1958 Netherlands Dolf van der Linden
1960 United Kingdom Eric Robinson
1961 France Léo Chauliac
1962 Jean Roderes [b]
1963 United Kingdom Eric Robinson N/A Host conductor
1964 France Jacques Denjean
1965 France Alain Goraguer
1966 Jean Roderes [c]
1967 France Claude Denjean N/A
1968 France André Borly
1969 Spain Augusto Algueró Host conductor
1970 France Raymond Lefèvre [25]
1971 France Jean Claudric
1972 Germany Klaus Munro
1973 Pierre Cao
1974 United Kingdom Charles Blackwell N/A
1975 United Kingdom Phil Coulter
1976 Germany Jo Plée
1977 United Kingdom Johnny Arthey
1978 Germany Rolf Soja
1979 France Hervé Roy
1980 Austria Norbert Daum [26]
1981 France Joël Rocher
1982 France Jean Claudric
1983 France Michel Bernholc
1984 France Pascal Stive Pierre Cao [d]
1985 Austria Norbert Daum N/A
1986 Germany Rolf Soja
1987 Belgium Alec Mansion
1988 France Régis Dupré
1989 France Benoît Kaufman Host conductor
1990 France Thierry Durbet
1991 Belgium Francis Goya
1992 France Christian Jacob
1993 Belgium Francis Goya

Commentators and spokespersons[]

Through the 37 years Luxembourg took part in the Eurovision Song Contest, the contest was broadcast on two channels (RTL TV and RTL Hei Elei), but the contest was mostly broadcast on the French section of RTL until it was divided in 1991 and after that it was broadcast in Luxembourgish. However, only one commentator () was native to Luxembourg.

Year Television commentator Radio commentator Spokesperson Ref.
1956 Commentary via RTF No radio broadcast No spokesperson
1957 Pierre Bellemare
1958
1959 Did not participate
1960 Unknown
1961
1962 Nicole Védrès Robert Diligent
1963 Commentary via ORTF Unknown
1964
1965
1966 Jacques Navadic Camillo Felgen
1967 Unknown
1968
1969
1970 Camillo Felgen
1971 No spokesperson
1972
1973
1974 Unknown
1975
1976 André Torrent Jacques Harvey
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981 Jacques Navadic and Marylène Bergmann
1982 Marylène Bergmann
1983 Valérie Sarn
1984 Valérie Sarn and Jacques Navadic
1985 Valérie Sarn Frédérique Ries
1986
1987
1988 Jean-Luc Bertrand
1989
1990
1991
1992 Maurice Molitor Unknown Unknown
1993
1994–2021 No broadcast Did not participate

Photogallery[]

Notes and references[]

Notes[]

  1. ^ The full results for the first contest in 1956 are unknown, as only the winner was announced. The official Eurovision site lists all the other songs as being placed second.
  2. ^ Also conducted the Spanish entry.
  3. ^ Also conducted the Belgian and Swiss entries.
  4. ^ Cao conducted the Cypriot and German entries.

References[]

  1. ^ "Luxembourg plans return to Eurovision?". eurovision.tv. EBU. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 27 October 2014.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b Bettega, Tania (26 October 2014). "Culture Minister agrees to Luxembourg's Eurovision return". Luxemburger Wort. Luxemburger Wort. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Fiden, Mustafa (26 October 2014). "Luxembourger culture minister agrees to the country's return". eurovoix.com. Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 26 October 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2014.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b Bettega, Tania (28 October 2014). "Luxembourg's Eurovision return is "misunderstanding"". Luxemburger Wort. Luxemburger Wort. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "Luxembourg could return to Eurovision in San Marino collaboration". Luxemburger Wort. Luxemburger Wort. 28 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b "Eurovision Song Contest: rumors sulla partecipazione, la precisazione di Rtv". smtvsanmarino.sm. SMRTV. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "No Eurovision deal for Luxembourg and San Marino". Luxemburger Wort. Luxemburger Wort. 24 November 2014. Retrieved 24 November 2014.
  8. ^ Bakker, Sietse (22 April 2003). "Luxembourg back in Eurovision next year?". ESCToday. Retrieved 22 April 2003.
  9. ^ Bakker, Sietse (19 October 2003). "Luxembourg might withdraw again from Eurovision". ESCToday. Retrieved 19 October 2003.
  10. ^ Bakker, Sietse (3 November 2003). "Luxembourg won't participate in 2004". ESCToday. Retrieved 3 November 2003.
  11. ^ Philips, Roel (29 January 2004). "Luxembourg back in 2005?". ESCToday. Retrieved 29 January 2004.
  12. ^ Philips, Roel (13 October 2004). "'Luxembourg never to return to the contest'". ESCToday. Retrieved 13 October 2003.
  13. ^ "RTL not interested in Eurovision 2009". Oikotimes. 12 June 2008. Archived from the original on 17 June 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2008.
  14. ^ Kuipers, Michael (12 June 2008). "Luxembourg: "No interest!"". ESCToday. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
  15. ^ Costa, Nelson (16 October 2008). "Marion, Vânia and Corinne Hermès in OGAE gala". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 22 November 2008. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  16. ^ Floras, Stella (1 November 2008). "OGAE Luxembourg: Eurovision fun and glamour". ESCToday. Retrieved 1 November 2008.
  17. ^ Lucas, John (16 September 2015). "Après Toi… How Luxembourg Fell Out Of Love With Eurovision". ESC Insight. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  18. ^ "EBU - Active Members". Ebu.ch. Retrieved 26 June 2014.
  19. ^ Al Kaziri, Ghassan (1 September 2009). "CLT will decide on Eurovision in December". Oikotimes. Archived from the original on 7 September 2009. Retrieved 1 September 2009.
  20. ^ [1] Archived January 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  21. ^ Jiandani, Sanjay (30 July 2014). "Luxembourg: RTL will not return to Eurovision in 2015". ESCToday. Retrieved 30 July 2014.
  22. ^ Granger, Anthony (21 June 2016). "Luxembourg government committee to debate Eurovision return". Eurovoix. Retrieved 22 June 2016.
  23. ^ Jiandani, Sanjay (22 August 2016). "Luxembourg: RTL will not return to Eurovision in 2017". ESCToday. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
  24. ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (2012). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Volume One: The 1950s and 1960s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 93–101. ISBN 978-1-84583-065-6. |volume= has extra text (help)
  25. ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (2014). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Volume Two: The 1970s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 142–168. ISBN 978-1-84583-093-9. |volume= has extra text (help)
  26. ^ Roxburgh, Gordon (2016). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Volume Three: The 1980s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84583-118-9. |volume= has extra text (help)

External links[]

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