Eurovision Song Contest Celebrates 70 Years

The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest with the release of a special tribute video and the restoration of rare historical footage. The milestone celebrates seven decades of the competition, which first began on May 24, 1956, and has since grown into the largest live music event in the world.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, organizers released a compilation video highlighting the most emotional moments from the contest’s history. The production is themed around the concept of being united by music and features a soundtrack set to the song Über Die Brücke Geh’n (Crossing the Bridge), which was performed by Germany’s Ingrid Peters in 1986.

Tribute to Past and Present Winners

The anniversary video includes appearances by several notable past champions, including Irish winners Johnny Logan and Dana. The compilation bridges multiple generations of the contest, blending archival footage from previous decades with clips from the most recent competition.

Among the contemporary footage is a segment featuring the performer DARA. Her song Bangaranga secured Bulgaria’s first-ever victory in the competition during the final held on May 16, 2026.

Restoration of the First Eurovision Victory

In addition to the tribute video, the EBU collaborated with the Swiss broadcaster RSI to restore the only known surviving footage of the contest’s inaugural winner. The restored clip shows Lys Assia performing her winning song, Refrain, at the Teatro Kursaal in Lugano, Switzerland.

The original footage was captured by Vincenzo Vicari. The restoration project was intended to provide fans with a high-quality glimpse into the origins of the competition and the performance of its first champion.

Chris Fox, a senior producer on the digital team for the Eurovision Song Contest who worked on the project, emphasized the importance of archival preservation for the event’s legacy.

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.

Chris Fox, senior producer on the Eurovision Song Contest’s digital team

The 2026 Contest and Global Reach

The 70th anniversary celebrations follow the conclusion of the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Vienna, Austria, in May 2026. The event continued the contest’s tradition of large-scale live production and international competition.

The victory of Bulgaria’s DARA on May 16, 2026, marked a significant historical milestone for the country’s participation in the contest, adding a new chapter to the archives that the EBU continues to preserve through its digital restoration efforts.

By pairing the restoration of Lys Assia’s 1956 performance with tributes to recent winners and mid-century stars like Johnny Logan and Dana, the EBU has highlighted the evolution of the contest from its modest beginnings in Lugano to its current status as a global entertainment phenomenon.