Happy National Day, Luxembourg! And what a better way to celebrate than reading all about this small but mighty country’s adventurous Eurovision journey!
From the very start
Luxembourg was one of the founding nations of the Eurovision Song Contest, making its debut at the very first edition in 1956. Represented by Michèle Arnaud and her songs “Ne crois pas” and “Les Amants de minuit“, the Grand Duchy was ready to shine from day one.
One of the most successful nations
Though small in size, Luxembourg became a Eurovision titan. With five glorious wins, it’s one of the most successful countries in the contest’s history. In fact, from 1983 to 1994, Luxembourg held the record for the most victories by a single nation!
Let’s take a quick tour of the winners’ circle:
- 1961: Jean-Claude Pascal charmed Europe with “Nous les amoureux“, Luxembourg’s first-ever win.
- 1965: France Gall brought home the trophy with the iconic “Poupée de cire, poupée de son”.
- 1972: the greek singer Vicky Leandros wowed with “Après toi“, securing the crown once again.
- 1973: Back-to-back glory! Anne-Marie David delivered a powerful performance of “Tu te reconnaîtras”.
- 1983: Corinne Hermès took the top spot with “Si la vie est cadeau“, Luxembourg’s most recent win (so far!).
Beyond those victories, Luxembourg scored two 3rd place finishes (1962, 1986), made it to the top five 13 times, and finished in the top ten 20 times—not too shabby for a country of just over 600,000 people!
The darker times
Not every Eurovision story is a fairy tale (pun intended). The late ‘80s and early ‘90s were rough years for Luxembourg, with four finishes in the bottom five. In 1993, after placing near the bottom and due to a relegation rule making room for new countries, Luxembourg was forced to sit out the 1994 contest.
The heartbreak didn’t stop there: the country chose not to return in 1995… and then disappeared from the Eurovision stage for over three decades.
Luxembourg’s big return!
Fast forward to 2024, and the Grand Duchy made its long-awaited return! Flying the flag proudly was Tali with her empowering anthem “Fighter”, finishing a respectable 13th place and reigniting national Eurovision excitement. In 2025, Laura Thorn took up the mantle with her stylish bop “La poupée monte le son”, finishing 22nd but still keeping the Luxembourgish momentum alive.
Both artists were selected through the newly launched Luxembourg Song Contest, a national final introduced on 1 December 2023. More than just a song selection show, it was a celebration of Luxembourgish culture, music, and identity on the international stage.
What’s next?
After 31 years away, Luxembourg is officially back in the game, and fans couldn’t be happier. Whether they’re aiming for another trophy or simply enjoying the ride, the Grand Duchy has proven once again that Eurovision isn’t just about size—it’s about heart, talent, and a little bit of sparkle.
Happy National Day, Luxembourg — and here’s to many more Eurovision adventures ahead!
