Basel is rolling out the turquoise carpet for Eurovision 2025, and what a better way to celebrate than by diving into Switzerland’s rich Eurovision history? From historic wins to dramatic comebacks, Switzerland has had quite the journey in the contest. Let’s take a trip down memory lane!
The Beginning: Switzerland Makes Eurovision History
Switzerland holds a very special place in Eurovision history—it was not only one of the founding countries but also hosted and won the very first contest in 1956! Lys Assia, the Queen of Eurovision, claimed victory with “Refrain”, making Switzerland the first-ever Eurovision champion. Talk about making an entrance!
The Céline Dion Moment
Fast forward to 1988, and Switzerland gave us one of the most legendary Eurovision winners ever—none other than Céline Dion! With her powerful ballad “Ne partez pas sans moi”, she gave Switzerland their second victory (by just one point!). Little did the world know, this win would be the beginning to Céline’s international career.
A Rocky Road in the 21st Century
The 2000s weren’t exactly Switzerland’s golden years. Since the introduction of semi-finals in 2004, the country missed out on the grand final 11 times. Ouch. But every Eurovision story has its ups and downs, and Switzerland was about to make a comeback!
Luca Hänni Brings the Heat
After 26 years away from the top five, Switzerland finally broke through again in 2019 when Luca Hänni had Europe dancing with “She Got Me”, finishing 4th.
Gjon’s Tears and the Swiss Renaissance
Just two years later, Gjon’s Tears took Switzerland even higher, finishing 3rd in 2021 with the breathtaking “Tout l’univers”. This marked the beginning of a new Eurovision era for Switzerland—one that would soon lead to…
2024: Nemo Crack “The Code”
And here we are—Switzerland’s third Eurovision victory! In 2024, Nemo wowed Europe with “The Code”, bringing the trophy back home and making Basel the host city for 2025. Who’s ready to party in Switzerland?
Languages in Swiss Eurovision Entries
Switzerland is a multilingual country, and their Eurovision history reflects that! Out of 64 appearances, they’ve sent 65 songs in a mix of languages:
- French: 24 times (including their first two winning songs!)
- English: 18 times (including The Code! )
- German: 12 times
- Italian: 10 times
- Romansh: 1 time (a rare gem!)
Switzerland may have had its highs and lows, but one thing’s for sure—this country knows how to put on a show. With Basel hosting in 2025, it’s time to see what Switzerland has in store for us next!
Are you excited for Eurovision in Basel? Let us know in the comments! 👇
