Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest

Switzerland has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 61 times since making its debut at the first contest in 1956, missing only four contests, in 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2003. Switzerland hosted the first contest in 1956 in Lugano, and won it. Switzerland won the contest again in 1988, with the 1989 contest being held in Lausanne.

Switzerland
Member stationSRG SSR
National selection events
National final
  • Concours Eurovision
  • 1956–1957
  • 1959–1961
  • 1963–1970
  • 1972–1993
  • 1998
  • 2000
  • 2002
  • 2004
  • Die Grosse Entscheidungsshow
  • 2011–2018
Internal selection
  • 1958
  • 1962
  • 1971
  • 1994
  • 1996–1997
  • 2005–2010
  • 2019–2022
Participation summary
Appearances61 (50 finals)
Host1956, 1989
First appearance1956
Highest placement1st: 1956, 1988
Nul points1964,1967,1998, 2004 SF
External links
SF page
Switzerland's page at Eurovision.tv
For the most recent participation see
Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

Lys Assia won the first contest in 1956 with the song "Refrain". She returned to place second in 1958. Switzerland would go on to finish second with Esther Ofarim (1963) and Daniela Simmons (1986) and third with Franca Di Rienzo (1961) and Arlette Zola (1982), before winning the contest for the second time in 1988 with Celine Dion and the song "Ne partez pas sans moi". Annie Cotton gave the country its 15th top five result in 1993, when she placed third.

Since the introduction of the semi-final round in 2004, Switzerland have failed to reach the final in 11 of 17 contests. Switzerland returned to the top five for the first time in 26 years when Luca Hänni gave the country its 16th top five result by finishing fourth in 2019, followed by their 17th top five finish, when Gjon's Tears placed third in 2021.

Absences

Switzerland had been absent from Eurovision four times since their participation began in the first contest. These absences, in 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2003 were caused by poor results in previous contests that led to relegation.[1][2][3][4]

National selections
See also: National selections for the Eurovision Song Contest

A mix of different selection processes have been used to determine Switzerland's entry in each year's contest. Since 2019, SRG SSR has used an internal selection process, although televised national finals were used in previous years, held under various names including Concours Eurovision from the 1950s to 2000s, and Die Grosse Entscheidungsshow between 2011 and 2018. In the 1980s, the Swiss national finals tended to have ten participating songs each year: three in French, three in German, three in Italian and one in Romansch.

Participation overview

Switzerland has four official languages, French, German, Italian, and Romansh. For decades, the song requirements stated that the song had to be performed in a national language, which gave Switzerland leeway as they could perform in any of the four languages. Out of their 60 appearances in the contest, Switzerland has sent 61 songs, 24 of which were in French, 12 in German, 15 in English, 10 in Italian and 1 in Romansh. Both of Switzerland's winning songs have been sung in French.

Table key
1
 Winner
2
 Second place
3
 Third place
◁
 Last place
X
 Entry selected but did not compete
†
 Upcoming
Year Entrant Song Language Final Points Semi Points
1956
 Lys Assia "Das alte Karussell" German 2[lower-alpha 1] N/A No semi-finals
Lys Assia "Refrain" French 1
1957
 Lys Assia "L'enfant que j'étais" French 8 5
1958
 Lys Assia "Giorgio" German, Italian 2 24
1959
 Christa Williams "Irgendwoher" German 4 14
1960
 Anita Traversi "Cielo e terra" Italian 8 5
1961
 Franca di Rienzo "Nous aurons demain" French 3 16
1962
 Jean Philippe "Le retour" French 10 2
1963
 Esther Ofarim "T'en va pas" French 2 40
1964
 Anita Traversi "I miei pensieri" Italian 13 ◁ 0
1965
 Yovanna "Non, à jamais sans toi" French 8 8
1966
 Madeleine Pascal "Ne vois-tu pas ?" French 6 12
1967
 Géraldine "Quel cœur vas-tu briser ?" French 17 ◁ 0
1968
 Gianni Mascolo "Guardando il sole" Italian 13 2
1969
 Paola del Medico "Bonjour, Bonjour" German[lower-alpha 2] 5 13
1970
 Henri Dès "Retour" French 4 8
1971
 Peter, Sue and Marc "Les illusions de nos vingt ans" French 12 78
1972
 Véronique Müller "C'est la chanson de mon amour" French 8 88
1973
 Patrick Juvet "Je vais me marier, Marie" French 12 79
1974
 Piera Martell "Mein Ruf nach Dir" German 14 ◁ 3
1975
 Simone Drexel "Mikado" German 6 77
1976
 Peter, Sue and Marc "Djambo, Djambo" English 4 91
1977
 Pepe Lienhard Band "Swiss Lady" German 6 71
1978
 Carole Vinci "Vivre" French 9 65
1979
 Peter, Sue and Marc, Pfuri, Gorps and Kniri "Trödler und Co" German 10 60
1980
 Paola del Medico "Cinéma" French 4 104
1981
 Peter, Sue and Marc "Io senza te" Italian 4 121
1982
 Arlette Zola "Amour on t'aime" French 3 97
1983
 Mariella Farré "Io così non ci sto" Italian 15 28
1984
 Rainy Day "Welche Farbe hat der Sonnenschein?" German 16 30
1985
 Mariella Farré and Pino Gasparini "Piano, piano" German 12 39
1986
 Daniela Simmons "Pas pour moi" French 2 140
1987
 Carol Rich "Moitié, moitié" French 17 26
1988
 Céline Dion "Ne partez pas sans moi" French 1 137
1989
 Furbaz "Viver senza tei" Romansh 13 47
1990
 Egon Egemann "Musik klingt in die Welt hinaus" German 11 51
1991
 Sandra Simó "Canzone per te" Italian 5 118
1992
 Daisy Auvray "Mister Music Man" French 15 32
1993
 Annie Cotton "Moi, tout simplement" French 3 148 Kvalifikacija za Millstreet
1994
 Duilio "Sto pregando" Italian 19 15 No semi-finals
1996
 Kathy Leander "Mon cœur l'aime" French 16 22 8 67
1997
 Barbara Berta "Dentro di me" Italian 22 5 No semi-finals
1998
 Gunvor "Lass ihn" German 25 ◁ 0
2000
 Jane Bogaert "La vita cos'è?" Italian 20 14
2002
 Francine Jordi "Dans le jardin de mon âme" French 22 15
2004
 Piero and the MusicStars "Celebrate" English Failed to qualify 22 ◁ 0
2005
 Vanilla Ninja "Cool Vibes" English 8 128 8 114
2006
 six4one "If We All Give a Little" English 16 30 Top 11 previous year[lower-alpha 3]
2007
 DJ BoBo "Vampires Are Alive" English Failed to qualify 20 40
2008
 Paolo Meneguzzi "Era stupendo" Italian 13 47
2009
 Lovebugs "The Highest Heights" English 14 15
2010
 Michael von der Heide "Il pleut de l'or" French 17 ◁ 2
2011
 Anna Rossinelli "In Love for a While" English 25 ◁ 19 10 55
2012
 Sinplus "Unbreakable" English Failed to qualify 11 45
2013
 Takasa "You and Me" English 13 41
2014
 Sebalter "Hunter of Stars" English 13 64 4 92
2015
 Mélanie René "Time to Shine" English Failed to qualify 17 ◁ 4
2016
 Rykka "The Last of Our Kind" English 18 ◁ 28
2017
 Timebelle "Apollo" English 12 97
2018
 Zibbz "Stones" English 13 86
2019
 Luca Hänni "She Got Me" English 4 364 4 232
2020
 Gjon's Tears "Répondez-moi" French Contest cancelled[lower-alpha 4] X
2021
 Gjon's Tears "Tout l'univers" French 3 432 1 291
2022
 Marius Bear "Boys Do Cry" English Upcoming †

Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest
Further information: Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest
Entrant Language Song At Congratulations At Eurovision
Final Points Semi Points Year Place Points
Celine Dion French "Ne partez pas sans moi" Failed to qualify 10 98 1988 1 137

Hostings
Year Location Venue Presenter(s)
1956 Lugano Teatro Kursaal Lohengrin Filipello
1989 Lausanne Palais de Beaulieu Lolita Morena and Jacques Deschenaux

Awards

Marcel Bezençon Awards
Further information: Marcel Bezençon Awards
Year Category Song Composer(s)
lyrics (l) / music (m)		 Performer Final Points Host city Ref.
2021 Composer Award "Tout l'univers" Gjon Muharremaj, Xavier Michel, Wouter Hardy & Nina Sampermans (m & l) Gjon's Tears 3 432 Rotterdam
[5]

Conductors
Year Conductor[lower-alpha 5] Musical Director Notes Ref.
1956 Fernando Paggi [lower-alpha 6] [6]
1957 Willy Berking N/A [lower-alpha 7]
1958 Paul Burkhard
1959 Franck Pourcel [lower-alpha 8]
1960 Cédric Dumont
1961 Fernando Paggi
1962 Cédric Dumont
1963 Eric Robinson [lower-alpha 9]
1964 Fernando Paggi
1965 Mario Robbiani
1966 Jean Roderes [lower-alpha 10]
1967 Hans Moeckel
1968 Mario Robbiani
1969 Henry Mayer
1970 Bernard Gérard [7]
1971 Hardy Schneiders
1972 Jean-Pierre Festi
1973 Hervé Roy
1974 Pepe Ederer
1975 Peter Jacques
1976 Mario Robbiani
1977 Peter Jacques
1978 Daniel Janin
1979 Rolf Zuckowski
1980 Peter Reber [8]
1981 Rolf Zuckowski
1982 Joan Amils
1983 Robert Weber [lower-alpha 11]
1984 Mario Robbiani
1985 Anita Kerr
1986 Atilla Şereftuğ
1987 No conductor
1988 Atilla Şereftuğ
1989 Benoît Kaufman [lower-alpha 12]
1990 Bela Balint N/A
1991 Flaviano Cuffari
1992 Roby Seidel
1993 Marc Sorrentino
1994 Valeriano Chiaravalle
1996 Rui dos Reis
1997 Pietro Damiani
1998 No conductor

Commentators and spokespersons

Over the years Switzerland has broadcast the Eurovision Song Contest on three television stations, SRF (German language), RTS (French language) and RSI (Italian language).

Year Commentator Spokesperson Ref.
SRF RTS RSI
1956 No broadcastRobert BurnierNo broadcastNo spokesperson
1957 Commentary via RTF FranceMäni Weber
1958 Theodor Haller
1959 Boris Acquadro
1960
1961
1962 Commentary via RAI ItalyAlexandre Burger
1963 Georges Hardy
1964 Robert Burnier
1965 Jean Charles
1966 Georges HardyGiovanni Bertini
1967 Robert Burnier
1968 Georges Hardy
1969
1970
1971 No spokesperson
1972
1973
1974 Michel Stocker
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979 Max Rüeger
1980 Theodor Haller
1981
1982
1983
1984 Bernard ThurnheerSerge MoissonEzio Guidi
1985
1986
1987 Wilma Gilardi
1988 Ezio Guidi
1989 Thierry MasselotGiovanni Bertini
1990 Emanuela Gaggini
1991 Lolita Morena
1992 Mariano TschuorIvan Frésard
1993 Jean-Marc Richard
1994 Wilma GilardiSandra Studer
1995 Heinz MargotJoanne HolderDid not participate
1996 Sandra StuderPierre GrandjeanYves Ménestrier
1997 Heinz Margot, Roman KilchspergerJonathan TedescoSandy Altermatt
1998 Jean-Marc RichardRegula Elsener
1999 Sandra StuderDid not participate
2000 Astrid Von Stockar
2001 Phil MundwillerDid not participate
2002 Jonathan Tedesco, Claudio LazzarinoDiana Jörg
2003 Roman KilchspergerJean-Marc Richard, Alain MorisodDaniele Rauseo, Claudio LazzarinoDid not participate
2004 Marco FritscheDaniela Tami, Claudio LazzarinoEmel Aykanat
2005 Sandra Studer Jean-Marc Richard, Marie-Thérèse PorchetCécile Bähler
2006 Jean-Marc Richard, Alain MorisodSandy Altermatt, Claudio LazzarinoJubaira Bachmann
2007 Bernard Thurnheer Jean-Marc Richard (all), Henri Dès (final),
Nicolas Tanner (semi-final)		Sven Epiney
2008 Sven Epiney Jean-Marc Richard, Nicolas Tanner Sandy AltermattCécile Bähler
2009
2010 Christa Rigozzi
2011 Jonathan TedescoCécile Bähler
2012 Clarissa Tami, Paolo MeneguzziSara Hildebrand
2013 Alessandro BertoglioMélanie Freymond
2014 Sven Epiney, Peter Schneider, Gabriel Vetter Alessandro Bertoglio, Sandy AltermattKurt Aeschbacher
2015 Clarissa Tami, Paolo MeneguzziLaetitia Guarino
2016 Clarissa Tami, Michele CarobbioSebalter
2017 Sven Epiney (all); Stefan Büsser, Micky Beisenherz (final)Clarissa Tami (all); Sebalter (final)Luca Hänni
[9][10][11]
2018 Sven EpineyClarissa Tami, SebalterLetícia Carvalho
[12][13][14][15]
2019 Jean-Marc Richard, Nicolas Tanner (all);
Bastian Baker (final)		Sinplus
[16][17][18][19]
2021 Jean-Marc Richard, Nicolas Tanner (all);
Joseph Gorgoni (final)		Clarissa Tami (2nd semi-final and final);
Sebalter (final)		Angélique Beldner[20][21][22][23][24]

See also

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 other songs as being placed second.
  2. Contains some words in French.
  3. According to the then-Eurovision rules, the top ten non-Big Four countries from the previous year along with the Big Four automatically qualified for the grand final without having to compete in semi-finals. For example, if Germany and France placed inside the top ten, the 11th and 12th spots were advanced to the next year's grand final along with all countries ranked in the top ten.
  4. The 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  5. All conductors are of Swiss nationality unless otherwise noted.
  6. Also conducted the Dutch and German entries.
  7. Host conductor
  8. Host conductor
  9. Host conductor
  10. Host conductor
  11. Conducted at the national final by Hans Moeckel
  12. Also conducted the Luxembourgish entry and half of the Danish entry.

References
  1. "History by Year: Eurovision Song Contest 1995". EBU. Archived from the original on 2011-02-17. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  2. "History by Year: Eurovision Song Contest 1999". EBU. Archived from the original on 2011-02-17. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  3. "History by Year: Eurovision Song Contest 2001". EBU. Archived from the original on 2011-02-17. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  4. "History by Year: Eurovision Song Contest 2003". EBU. Archived from the original on 2011-02-17. Retrieved 2009-04-15.
  5. "The Marcel Bezençon Award". 22 May 2021.
  6. Roxburgh, Gordon (2012). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Vol. One: The 1950s and 1960s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 93–101. ISBN 978-1-84583-065-6.
  7. Roxburgh, Gordon (2014). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Vol. Two: The 1970s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. pp. 142–168. ISBN 978-1-84583-093-9.
  8. Roxburgh, Gordon (2016). Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest. Vol. Three: The 1980s. Prestatyn: Telos Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84583-118-9.
  9. ""ESC" 2017: Satirischer Kommentar mit Stefan Büsser und "Aeschbacher Spezial – aus Kiew"" [«ESC» 2017: Satirical commentary with Stefan Büsser and «Aeschbacher Special – from Kyiv»]. SRF (in German). Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  10. "Eurovision Song Contest 2017". RSI (in Italian). Archived from the original on 7 May 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017.
  11. Davies, Megan (1 May 2017). "Switzerland: Luca Hänni Announced As Spokesperson". Eurovoix. Retrieved 27 February 2020.
  12. Granger, Anthony (16 April 2018). "Switzerland: Sven Epiney Returns to the Commentary Booth". Eurovoix. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  13. "Eurosong – TV – Play RTS". RTS (in French). Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  14. "Eurovision Song Contest 2018 – RSI Radiotelevisione svizzera". RSI (in Italian). 7 May 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  15. Granger, Anthony (19 April 2018). "Switzerland: Leticia Carvalho Revealed as Spokesperson". Eurovoix. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  16. Granger, Anthony (16 April 2019). "Switzerland: Sven Epiney Confirmed as SRF's Eurovision Commentator". Eurovoix. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  17. Brown, Alistair (3 May 2019). "Switzerland: Bastian Baker Announced As Commentator For Grand Final". Eurovoix. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  18. "Dal 3 giugno addio al Digitale Terrestre in Svizzera, niente più Eurovision sulla RSI per gli italiani" [Farewell to DTT in Switzerland from 3 June, no more Eurovision on CSR for Italians]. eurofestivalnews.com (in Italian). 6 May 2019. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  19. Herbert, Emily (24 April 2019). "Switzerland: Sinplus Revealed as Eurovision 2019 Spokespersons". Eurovoix. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
  20. "TV-Programm" (in German). Swiss Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  21. "Eurovision 2021: scarica la Guida completa all'evento (anche in versione eBook!)". Eurofestival (in Italian). Retrieved 2021-05-11.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. "Programme TV" (in French). Radio Télévision Suisse. Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  23. Granger, Anthony (2021-04-12). "Switzerland: Sven Epiney Confirmed as SRF's Eurovision 2021 Commentator". Eurovoix. Retrieved 2021-04-12.
  24. Granger, Anthony (2021-04-27). "Switzerland: Angélique Beldner Revealed as Spokesperson For Eurovision 2021". Eurovoix. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
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