Today, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and its public service broadcasters across Europe and beyond proudly celebrate the 70th anniversary of what has grown to become the world’s largest live music event – a Contest that has united hundreds of millions of viewers through music, creativity and shared moments for seven extraordinary decades.

70 years ago, on 24 May 1956, artists representing seven broadcasters gathered at the Teatro Kursaal in Lugano, Switzerland, for a bold new experiment in live television and cultural collaboration: the very first Eurovision Song Contest.

From black-and-white broadcasts transmitted across a fledgling Eurovision satellite network to today’s spectacular ground-breaking hi-tech productions watched by audiences on every continent, the Eurovision Song Contest has continually pushed the boundaries of broadcasting technology, live production and international cooperation.

Over the past 70 years, the Eurovision Song Contest has:

• showcased more than 1,800 songs and provided a global stage to thousands of artists launching international careers;
• platformed three generations of musical talent and cultural identity;
• pioneered innovations in live television production, satellite broadcasting, audience voting, digital content and streaming;
• and demonstrated the enduring power of public service media to connect people across borders, languages and generations

Martin Green CBE, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said:

“For 70 years, the Eurovision Song Contest has shown what’s possible when public service broadcasters come together with a shared purpose: to create moments of joy, emotion and connection that transcend borders.

From a small theatre in Lugano in 1956 to stadiums and screens across the globe today, the Eurovision Song Contest continues to evolve while remaining true to its founding spirit – bringing audiences together through music.”

To mark the anniversary, the EBU is releasing two special pieces of content celebrating the Contest’s remarkable history.

Footage of First Winner from 1956 Restored

In collaboration with Swiss broadcaster RSI, part of SRG SSR, the EBU has digitally restored and remastered the only known surviving footage of the winning entry from the very first Eurovision Song Contest.

Shot by photographer Vincenzo Vicari, the footage captures Switzerland’s Lys Assia reprising her song Refrain on stage at the Teatro Kursaal in Lugano on 24 May 1956, giving a rare and precious glimpse into the birth of the Eurovision Song Contest.

The film negatives have been carefully preserved in the archives of RSI but have not been digitized since the 1990s. Since technology has advanced since then, the EBU approached RSI to have the negatives rescanned, graded and digitally restored in ultra-high definition (4K) allowing audiences to experience one of the Contest’s most historic moments with unprecedented clarity.

“Preserving the history of the Eurovision Song Contest is something very close to my heart. I’m proud that the EBU was able to commission this restoration, so that fans can enjoy Lys Assia’s winning reprise in the best possible quality for years to come,” said Chris Fox, Senior Producer on the Eurovision Song Contest’s Digital Team who worked on the restoration. 

“The film footage of Lys Assia’s 1956 performance is a landmark piece of Switzerland’s audiovisual heritage. With this new digitization, carried out in collaboration with the EBU, SRG SSR once again demonstrates the vital role of public service broadcasting in safeguarding such iconic moments in history,” said Brecht Declercq, Head of Archives at RSI.

The search also continues for the full broadcasts of the 1956 and 1964 Eurovision Song Contests launched ahead of the 70th competition in Vienna. 

In addition, the Eurodex archive on eurovision.com has been updated with a collection of Vicari’s photographs of the 1956 Contest, provided by the historical archives of the City of Lugano.

“Über die Brücke gehn” – A Celebration of Unity Across 70 Years

The second anniversary release is a specially produced tribute film celebrating seven decades of artists and audiences being truly “United By Music”.

Set to the original live performance of Germany’s 1986 Eurovision entry Über die Brücke gehn by Ingrid Peters, the film intercuts emotional moments of artists embracing on stage and backstage throughout Eurovision Song Contest history – from the earliest broadcasts of the 1950s and 60s through to last week’s victory for Bulgaria’s DARA in Vienna.

The song’s title – Crossing the Bridge – and its lyrics about connection, hope and moving forward together resonate powerfully with the Eurovision Song Contest’s story and values today.

Across changing decades, technologies and generations, the Eurovision Song Contest has continued to build bridges between countries and cultures, artists and audiences, through the universal language of music.

The film uses the original performance of Über die Brücke gehn, courtesy of Norwegian Member NRK, and culminates with scenes from the 70th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, where Bulgaria’s BNT celebrated its first-ever Eurovision victory, with the competition’s highest ever winning margin, bringing the Contest’s story full circle into a new era.

Eurofan Voice Launches in Eurovision’s 70th Year

As the Eurovision Song Contest celebrates its 70th anniversary, the iconic event is also looking firmly toward the future.

The EBU has just launched Eurofan Voice, the Contest’s largest ever fan feedback initiative, inviting audiences around the world to help shape the Eurovision experience for the coming years.

The survey explores how Eurovision can become even better connected with fans – from live experiences and digital content to community participation and year-round engagement.

Fans of every kind are encouraged to take part:

• passionate long-time followers,
• viewers who primarily engage through social media,
• and those who are simply “Euro-curious”

The survey takes approximately 5–10 minutes to complete, closes on 7 June 2026 and can be accessed here.

Martin Green added: “In our 70th year, it feels especially important not only to celebrate Eurovision’s history, but also to listen to the people who make this Contest what it is – the fans.

Through Eurofan Voice, we’re opening our biggest ever feedback loop, inviting everyone from lifelong Eurovision enthusiasts to first-time viewers to help shape the future of the Eurovision Song Contest experience for the next generation.”

70 Fabulous Facts

To accompany the anniversary celebrations, Eurovision.com has also compiled 70 Fabulous Facts from 70 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest, featuring iconic milestones, and surprising statistics from the Contest’s rich history.

Fans can explore the collection here.

The anniversary content, restored footage, tribute film and Eurofan Voice survey are available now across Eurovision’s digital platforms.

As the Eurovision Song Contest enters its eighth decade, the Contest continues to stand as one of the world’s most ambitious and enduring examples of international collaboration in broadcasting – powered by the creativity, innovation and partnership of public service media organisations across Europe and beyond.

70 years on from that first evening in Lugano, the world’s largest live music event remains driven by the same idea that inspired its founders in 1956: being United by Music.

Let us know what you think about the Eurovision Song Contest – either in the comments below or on our FACEBOOK, BLUESKY, TWITTER, YOUTUBE, INSTAGRAM and TIKTOK pages.

The Eurovision Community, which Eurovision Ireland are a part of, celebrates diversity through music. Please keep your comments respectful. We will not tolerate racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, transphobia, body-shaming or any other derogatory or hostile language.

Author: Richard Taylor

Source: EBU & YouTube/EBU