It has been over 30 years since Luxembourg last participated in Eurovision, but today the EBU has confirmed that they will return to the contest in 2024. The announcement was made on the official Eurovision YouTube channel.
Earlier this year, RTL has confirmed that plans to return to the contest have been discussed. Prime Minister Xavier Bettel, who is also the Minister for Media and Communications, shared that the idea of returning to the contest had been discussed in the Luxembourg council.
Participation for 2024 confirmed
Withdrawing from the contest primarily for financial reasons, Luxembourg’s government and RTL acknowledged that the cost of participation would be high, but that the returns would also be substantial. RTL also acknowledged that they had been working with the government and the EBU to explore what participation might look like, including how they might go about finding a song!
Prime Minister Bettel will now head a team focused on bringing the country back to the contest, including ministers Jean Asselborn and Sam Tanson among others. More about their participation and selection process will be revealed in July.
“Viewers will be able to experience the Eurovision Song Contest in its full glory.”
Martin Österdahl, the Executive Supervisor of the Eurovision Song Contest said:
“We are thrilled to welcome back Luxembourg to the Eurovision Song Contest after 30 years. The country has one of the most successful records in the Contest with 5 wins in the first three decades of the competition alone. We very much look forward to working with RTL on their return to the world’s biggest live music event in 2024.”
Martin Österdahl
Christophe Goossens, CEO of RTL Luxembourg, says:
“We are delighted that Luxembourg is returning to the Eurovision Song Contest – and even more excited that RTL Luxembourg will take on the exhilarating task of selecting the 2024 delegation. As a media company that is dedicated to the people of Luxembourg, we are looking forward to broadcasting the star-studded live shows. Viewers will be able to experience the Eurovision Song Contest in its full glory.”
Christophe Goossens
Luxembourg’s Eurovision Journey
Luxembourg first made its debut in the first edition of the Contest in 1956, with their first entries being “Ne crois pas” and “Les amants de minuit”, both performed by Michèle Arnaud. Since the first Contest, Luxembourg has competed a total of 37 times. Their best result was finishing in 1st place five times – in 1961, 1965, 1972, 1973 and 1983 respectively.
Luxembourg last took part in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1993, when Modern Times represented the nation with the song “Donne-moi une chance”. At the close of voting, Luxembourg finished 20th in a field of 25 with 11 points. Following this participation, Luxembourg withdrew from the Contest and has not returned since.
Would you like to see Luxembourg return to the contest? Who should the send if they return? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we prepare for Eurovision 2023!
News Source: EBU
Photo Credit: EBU/Adobe Stock
