Nicola Caligiore is to step down as the Italian Head of Delegation at the Eurovision Song Contest and leave national broadcaster Rai.
Nicola Caligiore is set to leave the Italian national broadcaster Rai and thus end his role as the nations Head of Delegation at the Eurovision and Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Mr Caligiore has held the role of Head of Delegation since 2011 when Italy returned to the contest following a 14 year break from the competition.
Mr Caligiore will attend his final Eurovision event in two weeks time, as the Head of Delegation for Italy at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. He will also step away as a member of the EBU Reference Group for the contest, which he had been elected to for a fourth time earlier this year.
During Mr Caligiore’s tenure Italy has seen interest in the Eurovision Song Contest grow significantly, with the nation becoming the most successful member of the Big Five of the past decade. Within Italy, the contest and its semi-finals have grown ever popular with increasing audience figures.
Outside of the main Eurovision Song Contest, Italy debuted in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 and won on its debut. Italy was the first Big Five country to take part in the contest since Spain withdrew in 2006.
Source: Eurofestival News
Italy debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 and has participated a total of 42 times to date. Italy returned to the Eurovision Song Contest in 2011 having last participated in the contest in 1997, the country has withdrawn from the contest on a number of occasions in the past. Italy has won the contest twice, the first time being in 1964 and the latest being in 1990. Italy’s hosting of the contest in 1991 has been remembered as one of the most chaotic contests to date. Since their return in 2011 Italy has finished in the top 10 on seven occasions.
