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Interesting Facts about Eurovision Song Contest

Eurovision was the brainchild of Marcel Bezencon, the director general  and committee chairman of Swiss television. He conceived of the idea to create one television programme that could be transmitted simultaneously to all European countries.  Actually it was based on the Sanremo music festival in Italy.

In the early years, Eurovision was considered a technological experiment in live television. It was an ambitious project since satellite television did not yet exist.

The first Eurovision Song Contest was held on May 24, 1956 in Lugano, Switzerland. Seven countries participated each; having submitted two songs. This was the only Contest in which more than one song per country was performed. ( Since 1957 all participating countries are allowed one entry each.)

The 1956 Contest was won by the host nation, Switzerland.