Luxembourg and Eurovision: the great break-up and even greater comeback
Luxembourg's relationship with the Eurovision Song Contest has its ups and downs: stunning successes, a long break, and then a triumphant return. After being away for decades, the Grand Duchy made a big comeback in 2024, keeping its spot as one of the contest's most successful countries. Read our article to learn more about what Luxembourg has planned.
After a 31-year break, the nation returned in 2024 with Tali’s “Fighter,” finishing 13th — a solid start. Now, with Laura Thorn set to represent Luxembourg in 2025, anticipation is building for real. Especially considering that Luxembourg is one of the most successful nations in the contest, once holding the record for most contest wins by a single country.
The 69th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Basel, Switzerland, following the country's victory in 2024. There will be three live shows airing on May 13, 15 and 17 at 21:00 CEST. In Luxembourg, you can watch the Eurovision online at the official YouTube channel of the contest, for instance. More details will be available soon, follow us to receive the latest news and don't miss the biggest music event of the year.
This year, singers and songwriters from 38 countries will perform and compete for the grand prize — the iconic glass microphone trophy. Since 2008, the trophies have been meticulously handcrafted from solid, clear glass with sandblasted and painted details that mimic the aesthetics of a classic 1950s microphone. Each year, the trophy is engraved with the name of the host city and the flag of the host country.
Break the… trophy?
In 2009, after his record-breaking victory with "Fairytale," Alexander Rybak faced an unexpected twist. During the Winner's Press Conference, the exuberant Norwegian accidentally broke his newly awarded glass microphone trophy. This mishap led to a design modification: two metal rings now connect the top and bottom parts of the trophy, ensuring its durability for future winners. Yes, there is a video of this moment.
The Eurovision Song Contest began in 1956, conceived by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) as a way to unite a divided post-war Europe through music. Soon after, 7 countries including Luxembourg took the stage in Lugano, Switzerland, for the first show.
There are several core principles that the contest follows
- The contest is a non-political event dedicated to celebrating music and culture. Participants are required to refrain from political promotion or related conduct, including actions, statements, or symbols during the event.
- Songs must be original, unreleased before September 1 of the previous year, and no longer than three minutes in length. However, a cappella songs and purely instrumental pieces are not welcome.
- Winners are chosen through a mix of national jury votes and public televoting. In the semi-finals, only public votes decide who advances.
The contest promotes universality, diversity, equality, and inclusivity. All involved are expected to foster a welcoming environment free from intolerance, hate speech, harassment, and discrimination.
Luxembourg wins Eurovision
Very well known for its artistic population, the country jumped in to compete from the beginning, setting the tone for its musical legacy and future participation. Making its debut in 1956, the Grand Duchy became a Eurovision powerhouse, winning five times between 1961 and 1983.
| Year | Artist | Song | Points |
| 1961 | Jean-Claude Pascal | "Nous les amoureux" | 31 |
| 1965 | France Gall | "Poupée de cire, poupée de son" | 32 |
| 1972 | Vicky Leandros | "Après toi" | 128 |
| 1973 | Anne-Marie David | "Tu te reconnaîtras" | 129 |
| 1983 | Corinne Hermès | "Si la vie est cadeau" | 142 |
Its success wasn't just luck. Luxembourg's broadcaster RTL created a winning formula for a small country — smart collaborations and international perspective. It's interesting that none of the five winners were from Luxembourg! For example, in 1965, Luxembourg won with a song by the French singer France Gall, that was written by the famous Serge Gainsbourg. This openness to artists from different backgrounds was a huge part of why Luxembourg did so well.
The winners of the past years representing Luxembourg
Why did Luxembourg leave Eurovision?
After 1983, Luxembourg's Eurovision star faded. The country stuck around until 1993, but poor results in the contest that year led to a difficult decision. Broadcaster RTL pulled the plug, citing high costs, logistical headaches and a lack of public interest.
The main reason was the complexity of winning, as the winning country would have to accommodate all the visiting guests, have enough space in hotels and a whole arena for the show itself. A financial nightmare for a small country. Luxembourg stayed away for 31 years, leaving fans wondering if the glory days were gone.
Great comeback to Eurovision in 2024
Fast forward to 2024, and Luxembourg was back with a bang. After years of nudging from fans and a push from Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, RTL announced the return in May 2023, just before the 30th anniversary of the last entry. The local Luxembourg Song Contest at the Rockhal in Esch-sur-Alzette picked Tali and her song “Fighter” to carry the flag. The selection process was a slick affair — eight acts battled it out, with a mix of jury and public votes sealing the deal.
Tali’s “Fighter” is a bold, modern pop track with a fierce edge. In Sweden, she strutted her stuff in the first semi-final, landing fifth place and a ticket to the grand final, where she finished 13th overall — a respectable comeback after decades of silence. Though some critics felt the song lacked the knockout punch of Luxembourg’s past winners.
Stage change
Bookmakers had pegged Tali as a mid-tier contender, and while she didn’t crack the top 10, the return sparked buzz. Her performance featured a daring outfit change mid-song, a nod to Eurovision’s love of theatrics.
The 2024 contest itself wasn’t short on drama. Switzerland’s Nemo won with “The Code,” but the event was overshadowed by controversy over Israel’s participation amid the Gaza war, plus the Netherlands’ Joost Klein getting disqualified after an off-stage incident. Luxembourg’s smooth re-entry stood out amid the chaos.
Looking ahead to Luxembourg at Eurovision-2025
This year's Eurovision will take place in Basel, Switzerland, returning to its founding country. St. Jakobshalle will host the semi-finals on May 13th and 15th and the Grand Final on May 17th. With the return of Montenegro and the early exit of Moldova due to financial problems, this year's competition seems to be a rollercoaster ride. Luxembourg has its eyes on the prize again, and RTL isn't messing around.
Who is representing Luxembourg this year?
Luxembourg's Eurovision 2025 entry to represent the nation was chosen back in January 2024, similar to last year's selection. Laura Thorn's song "La Poupée Monte Le Son" brings a cabaret pop vibe with a French twist, echoing Luxembourg's 1965 win with its "poupée" reference. Expectations? Fans hope she'll climb higher than 13th place. Bookmakers are cautiously optimistic, with early odds favouring her theatrical style.
A fresh face in the public eye, Laura is currently a teacher at the Esch/Alzette Conservatory of Music. With extensive training in music theory, piano, cello, keyboard, chamber music and dance from a young age, Laura is deeply rooted in the music world. She completed her studies with a master’s degree in music theory, music pedagogy and pop singing, from IMEP in Namur.
Luxembourg's Eurovision story is one of triumph, retreat, and revival. Its comeback with Tali in 2024 proved the Grand Duchy still had skin in the game, shaking off 31 years of dust to reclaim its place. Now, with Laura Thorn holding the mic, Luxembourg is combining its storied past with fresh ambition.
With five wins under its belt and a knack for surprises, Luxembourg remains a Eurovision wildcard. Basel 2025 could be a chance to move up the ranks or even claim a sixth win. With Thorn's retro-modern flair and unexpected twists, the Grand Duchy's Eurovision story is far from over. Stay tuned.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did Luxembourg leave Eurovision for so long?
Who is representing Luxembourg in Eurovision 2025?
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Source: en.wikipedia.org, eurovisionworld.com, eurovoix.com, eurovision.tv
We took photos from these sources: Loegunn Lai on Unsplash
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