A founding member of the Eurovision Song Contest, Luxembourg distinguished itself in the early decades with several victories before withdrawing for three decades. In 2024, the country is making a structured comeback, based on public national selections.
Origins and heyday
Luxembourg is one of the seven countries that launched the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. It has won five editions: in 1961 (Nous les amoureux, Jean-Claude Pascal), 1965 (Poupée de cire, poupée de son, France Gall), 1972 (Après toi, Vicky Leandros), 1973 (Tu te reconnaîtras, Anne-Marie David), and 1983 (Si la vie est cadeau, Corrine Hermès). These successes were often achieved thanks to performers from other European countries, notably France, Greece, and Germany, as the Grand Duchy does not require its representatives to be Luxembourgish nationals. Luxembourg has hosted the contest four times: in 1962, 1966, 1973, and 1984, at the Villa Louvigny or the Grand Théâtre de Luxembourg. In 1974, despite having won the previous edition, the country decided not to organize the event for budgetary reasons, entrusting the task to the BBC in Brighton.
Decline and withdrawal
After a successful period from the 1960s to the 1980s, Luxembourg’s results gradually declined. In 1993, the country finished in a poor position and, according to the rules introduced that year, was relegated the following year. RTL, the national broadcaster responsible for participation, then announced its withdrawal from the contest, citing financial and organizational reasons, a lack of interest from the national audience, and the logistical difficulties that a victory would entail. Hosting such an event in a small country like Luxembourg was considered too great a challenge to bear. The withdrawal lasted 31 years, from 1994 to 2023, making it the longest continuous absence in the history of the contest for a participating country.
“Luxembourg has five victories and was absent for 31 years before returning in 2024.”
Recent return
Luxembourg’s official return to Eurovision was announced in May 2023, as the 30th anniversary of its last participation approached. This decision followed discussions between the government, in particular Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, and RTL. In January 2024, a national selection called the Luxembourg Song Contest was held at the Rockhal in Esch-sur-Alzette. The artist Tali was chosen with the song Fighter. Luxembourg participated in the semi-final in Malmö in May 2024, qualifying in 5th place, and finished 13th in the final with 103 points. In 2025, at the Basel edition, Laura Thorn represented the country with La poupée monte le son. She reached 7th place in the semi-final and finished 22nd in the final with 47 points. The Grand Duchy now seems committed to a strategy of regular participation.
