Italy, a founding member of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1956, has played a significant role in the competition’s history. The country achieved its first victory in 1964 with Gigliola Cinquetti’s “Non ho l’età (per amarti),” a timeless classic that gained international acclaim. After periods of participation interspersed with absences due to fluctuating interest, Italy secured a second win in 1990 with Toto Cutugno’s “Insieme: 1992,” a song advocating for European unity.
Following a hiatus from 1997 to 2010, Italy made a strong comeback in 2011 when Raphael Gualazzi’s “Madness of Love” finished second. This return marked the beginning of a consistent record of high placements, including Il Volo’s third-place “Grande Amore” in 2015 and Mahmood’s “Soldi,” which secured second place in 2019 and became a commercial hit across Europe.
In 2021, rock band Måneskin won with “Zitti e buoni,” earning Italy its third Eurovision victory. This triumph led to Italy hosting the 2022 contest in Turin, where Mahmood returned alongside Blanco with “Brividi,” finishing sixth. Continuing the trend of strong performances, Marco Mengoni represented Italy in 2023 with “Due vite,” achieving fourth place.
Italy often selects its Eurovision entries through the prestigious Sanremo Music Festival, showcasing its rich musical heritage. The country’s dedication to authentic performances, frequently in Italian, has significantly contributed to the contest’s cultural and linguistic diversity.
