A return to Eurovision is officially up for discussion in Luxembourg, as the government’s Petitions Committee has officially approved the suggestion of Luxembourg participating in Eurovision to be debated. This follows a public petition calling for Luxembourg’s return.
While Luxembourg’s national broadcaster has already confirmed that it will not return to Eurovision in 2017, Luxembourg’s Eurovision future will still be debated by the Petitions Committee. And it might even lead to Luxembourg returning in 2018.
Luxembourg is one of the seven countries who participated at the premiere Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. In the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, Luxembourg became one of the power countries of Eurovision, winning the context five times – a record equalled by France and the UK, and only beaten by Ireland and Sweden.
Notably, in 1965 they won with “Poupée de cire, poupée de son”, performed by French teen France Gall. The song, written by pop provocateur Serge Gainsbourg, brought a fresh pop style to Eurovision and moved the competition into the swinging ’60s.
Another winner was Anne-Marie David who holds the record for receiving the greatest percentage of available points with the song “Tu te reconnaîtras”, still a firm fan favourite.
The small state withdrew from Eurovision from 1994 onwards due to changes with the national broadcaster RTL.The broadcaster is not publicly funded and does not see entering Eurovision as being its core business.
Nonetheless, Luxembourg still has a loyal Eurovision fanbase, and even sustains its own OGAE fan group of around 80 members. The Eurovision love is kept alive with the annual Eurovision Gala Night, a fancy black-tie event that last year attracted Ruslana as its star performer.
Luxembourg’s got talent
Luxembourg might be small, but it has a larger population than Malta, Iceland and San Marino, all of which manage to enter good entries every year, some of which have been serious contenders for the win. And it’s a very wealthy country, with the second highest GDP per capital.
But most importantly, those Luxembourg hills have so much talent – and that’s not even counting the duchy’s very active jazz scene. As we have discovered with previous Wednesday Wishlists, Luxembourg has no shortage of contemporary indie groups going in their own direction. The official website of Luxembourg even brags about its substantial music scene.
Luxembourg might not produce popstars like Måns Zelmerlöw or Sergey Lazarev, but there are plenty of edgy indie acts who could do their country proud should Luxembourg make a welcome return to Eurovision. We’ve put together a selection.
Seed to Tree – “Until It Gets Better”
When ‘Airy Met Fairy – “Intoxicated”
Say Yes Dog – “A Friend”
Ice In My Eyes – “Strung Out”
https://youtu.be/oByWPCIh2L0
Wiwibloggs meets Anne-Marie David
What do you think? Should Luxembourg return to Eurovision? What should the Petitions Committee decide? Share your thoughts below!
Now that Eurovision is getting more popular, there is more of an incentive for them to return.
But, why wait ’till 2018? They can get in by 2017.
Although I would love a big Luxembourg comeback, let’s face it: times have changed. Right now they would probably face the same fate as Ireland, struggling to reach the finals and facing humiliation year after year. Unless they do it the right way.
Most of their acts were actually from France (France Gall, Anne-Marie David, etc.) and Belgium (Lara Fabian, Plastic Bertrand, etc.), and none of their winners had any link to the country.
That would be a dream come true for me! A little land with 5 stand alone wins ( France and UK have five but they shared with the Netherlands and Spain in 1969) says a lot! I think Luxembourg is worried that they couldn’t host such an enormous event. Things have definitely changed since 1966!
Hope Kazakhstan can enter..
I think they should absolutely return. As you said they are one of the most successful countries in the contest, even if they haven’t won for a long time. For a country this small they have massive potential to do really well. Luxembourg has only competed when the result was purely based on jury votes, so they don’t know yet who will vote for them, but that’s something that every country had to discover when the televote was introduced. If they do return I really hope they send their best
Monaco WON’T and CAN’T come back.
I can understand why Luxembourg has stayed out. If the broadcaster doesn’t prioritize the contest, they could be another case of a wealthy country getting dissapointing results each year, leaving everyone to ask why they couldn’t do better.
If they come back, they need a clear plan of action right from the start for how to come up with successful entries.
@Robyn, how does a country win the “context?” 😛
Anyway, if the people want it, let them back in!
I really hope they come back <3
I want them back!
San Marino consistently sends “good” entries every year? If you say so…
Excellent news! I hope they actually come back in 2017. C’mon THE USA wants to participate! How can there be European countries that don’t want to? They sure have the money.
They should also let participate Liechtenstein at least only for next year until they become active members.
Then also Monaco can return
Vicky Leandros comeback in 2018, please!
I don’t know much about Luxembourg’s music scene, but it seems that in their days of glory they relied almost exclusively on French writers and performers.
But that was back in the Chanson’s golden era. Now that the contest is Anglo-Swedish in essence it’s a whole new ballgame, the Luxembourgers should consider if they have anything to offer that would be relevant, original and successful, Otherwise they could end up failing like Monaco in 2004-5-6 or worse – being the new San Marino.
They are one of the original ESC countries, ofc I want to see them returning. And they could do like in past years, ask France for artists(But I would also like to see Luxembourgians participating too).
has this happened before? Has the Luxembourg government promised a discussion but it ended up coming to nothing? Jus dont want it to happen again. Luxembourg would be amazing to have back in ESC.
Why do people always refer to Luxembourg as a micronation? I mean, they have a bigger population than Malta and Iceland, and similar population to Montenegro and Cyprus.
The more the merrier.
Would be awesome to see Luxembourg return! I think it’s a good idea for the country as the ESC could be a way to show its music given the talent they have and will give a opportunity to some good groups or artists and Lux. has the money. The four songs exposed have high quality and Luxembourg could made a name in ESC with this genre as well as The Netherlands with country music.
I hope they return!
I hope they return. One of the first countries to participate.
I love the fact that the government will debate this issue. Very important:)
I would love Luxembourg to return, mostly because I love our European micro-states.
Italy and Czech republic once said they were likely to not return in the future cause they had other interests. And look where they are now..
So maybe 2018 for Luxembourg?
No emoticon? Why, wiwibloggs?
:grinning:
Please return Luxembourg!
@Fergy True!
C’mon Luxemburg!
#makeBeneluxeBlockvotinggreatagain.
Would be perfect! I think they should come back to make the whole Benelux Attend again.
Czech Republic said they wouldn’t participate in 2015 and then look what happened. Never say Never.