Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Tout le monde chant contre le cancer , amega charity event for cancer gathers together 50 artists, two nights each with 3 hours of entertainment takes place in France next month. Among artists several Eurovision veterans like Amandine Bourgeouis, Amaury Vassili, Patrick Fiori and Michele Torr . And there are several names this blogger would love to see on Eurovision stage sometime soon, like M Pokora - presenting his megasuccesful Robin Hood project -, Emmanuel Moire and Florent Mothe . Just to name a few. You can follow the event news here .

Another French speaking little one, Monaco, took part from 1959 to 1979 and returned in 2004. Three years stopped in the semifinals made them lose their interest at least for now. They blame Monaco has no chance to qualify with the current voting system where neighbouring voting counts too much (how about sending good songs and valuable artists, they would have an endless resources of big French stars?) as well as financial matters. TMC has however went on year by year toying with the participation so there is a chance we will see them back. 24 entries to date with one victory in 1971 - Monaco remains the only winning country that did not host the Eurovision - and 7 other top-5 placings gives a very good average, however the placements in the 2000's are sad reading: 19th, 24th and 21st in semifinal. Just like Luxembourg also Monaco usually borrowed its song writers and artists from France or elsewhere, and sometimes managed to get a big name for them like Francoise Hardy , or the ...

Luxembourg is one of the original Eurovision countries and religiously took part until 1993 - when they were relegated and never returned - with the exception of 1959 in every occasion scoring five victories on the way: 1961 , 1965 , 1972 , 1973 and 1983 . All winners were imported as most of their entrants with the exception of very few like Sophie Carle , Camillo Felgen and Marion Welter . Only twice they sung in their own Lëtzebuergisch instead of French and both times it went all  terribly wrong. Apparently RTL was considering a return in 2004 and 2005 but didn't in the end claiming financial matters. Rumours about the possible return were circulating again for the 2009 and 2010 editions but propably that's more wistful thinking by the fans than any grounded information? Some famous international stars have represented the tiny dutchy over the years besides the winners France Gall and Vicky Leandros: Nana Mouskouri , Michele Torr , Ireen Sheer , Baccara and Lara Fabian ...