News: Where are the Italians?

The Eurovision Song Contest is a much bigger affair nowadays than it used to be. The fall of the Iron Curtain and the collapse of the former USSR and Yugoslavia into a number of different independent states has meant that the dozen or so nations that took part back in the early 1960s has now expanded massively to over 40 countries. As a result, the ESC now consists of two semi-finals and a separate final.

However if you scan down the list of participating nations, there are some very big and surprising omissions. Where, for instance, is Italy?

Italy - 37 entries

The largest of the 'missing' countries, Italy regularly achieved fairly decent placings in the competition throughout the first four decades of Eurovision. Their second (and to date, final) victory came back in 1990 with the song "Insieme: 1992". Since 1994, the Italian state broadcaster RAI has only sent an entrant once, back in 1997. There's been no public statement from them about why they're not keen on taking part any more, but in recent years moves seem to be underway from both the organisers of Eurovision and from potential participants in Italy to get the country back into the race.

Austria - 43 entries

Austria has been one of the most regular and enthusiastic participants in Eurovision, yet ever since their one and only victory back in 1966, they've rarely troubled the top end of the scoreboard. After coming next-to-last in the 2007 competition, the Austrian state broadcaster decided to withdraw, convinced that political and block voting meant that no Austrian act, no matter how good they are, could ever win. They're not back this year, either.

Luxembourg - 38 entries

The small country of Luxembourg is nevertheless one of the most successful in Eurovision history, having won the competition five times (the same as the UK). But a run of poor placings in the late 80s and early 90s and financial pressures on the small state broadcaster RTL meant that the country withdrew in 1994 and has not been seen in the contest since. Recent campaigning by Eurovision fans in Luxembourg may well see a return in the not too distant future.

Monaco - 24 entries

Another one-time winner (in 1971), Monaco dropped out of the contest for a huge 25 years between 1979 and 2004. Sadly from 2004 to 2006, they never got past the semi-final stage and decided to withdraw from the contest again, claiming that new block voting patterns meant they would never again stand a chance of winning. However, talks have taken place between the EBU and Monaco's broadcaster in the hope they might soon return.

Other nations

There's also several other countries who have participated once or twice (San Marino, Morocco) and another few countries who would like to participate, but who haven't yet been able to (Kosovo, Lebanon, Liechtenstein and Tunisia), some for financial reasons, some because of political issues.

One thing that's guaranteed about the Eurovision Song Contest though - things will always change. From the seven nations that took part back in 1956 through to the 43 participating in Moscow, this competition just gets bigger and better every time!