In January 1955, in Monte Carlo, the president of the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) Programme Committee, in a meeting gave the idea of “European Song Contest” . Since in that time it was a very ambitious project to join many countries together in a international network, the competion was seen also as a technological experiment in live television. Furthermore the European Song Contest was based upon the existing Sanremo Musical Festival, held in Italy.
The first Contest was held in Lugano, Switzerland on 24 May 1956. In the competition seven countries participated. For the first time, each country was allowed to show two songs however from 1957 all Contents were allowed one entry per country. The 1956 Contest was won by the host nation, Switzerland. In the beggining the program was known as “Eurovision Grand Prix” however later on the “Grand Prix” was replaced by “Contest”
Since 1956, Eurovision Song Contest has been held every year in different countries of Europe. Nowadays this international competition has taken the attantion of millions of people which enjoy to watch it. Every country can represent their own artistic skills by bringing up to scenes new talented artists and prefered songs. Each singer can perform in their own language and mix their own culture with the other cultures of European Countries. This mix has continued for years and made Eurovision a tradition among European Countries.
