Austria made their debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957 and has seen considerable success in the contests cultural counterparts.
Austria in Eurovision
Austria broadcast the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956, before making its debut in 1957. Austria has dropped out of participating in the contest a number of times, with its last absence being in the late 00s. Find out the nation’s results below:
- 1957 – Bob Martin – “Wohin, kleines Pony?” – 10th – 3 points
- 1958 – Liane Augustin – “Die ganze Welt braucht Liebe” – 5th – 8 points
- 1959 – Ferry Graf – “Der K. und K. Kalypso aus Wien” – 9th – 4 points
- 1960 – Harry Winter – “Du hast mich so fasziniert” – 7th – 6 points
- 1961 – Jimmy Makulis – “Sehnsucht” – 15th – 1 point
- 1962 – Eleonore Schwarz – “Nur in der Wiener Luft” – 13th – 0 points
- 1963 – Carmela Corren – “Vielleicht geschieht ein Wunder” – 7th – 16 points
- 1964 – Udo Jürgens – “Warum nur, warum?” – 6th – 11 points
- 1965 – Udo Jürgens – “Sag ihr, ich lass sie grüßen” – 4th – 16 points
- 1966 – Udo Jürgens – “Merci, Chérie” – 1st – 31 points
- 1967 – Peter Horten – “Warum es hunderttausend Sterne gibt” – 14th – 2 points
- 1968 – Karel Gott – “Tausend Fenster” – 13th – 2 points
- 1971 – Marianne Mendt – “Musik” – 16th – 66 points
- 1972 – The Milestones – “Falter Im Wind” – 5th – 80 points
- 1976 – Waterloo and Robinson – “My Little World” – 5th – 80 points
- 1977 – Schmetterlinge – “Boom Boom Boomerang” – 17th – 11 points
- 1978 – Springtime – “Mrs. Caroline Robinson” – 15th – 14 points
- 1979 – Christine Simon – “Heute in Jerusalem” – 18th – 5 points
- 1980 – Blue Danube – “Du bist Musik” – 8th – 64 points
- 1981 – Marty Brem – “Wenn du da bist” – 17th – 20 points
- 1982 – Mess – “Sonntag” – 9th – 57 points
- 1983 – Westend – “Hurricane” – 9th – 53 points
- 1984 – Anita – “Einfach weg” – 19th – 5 points
- 1985 – Gary Lux – “Kinder dieser Welt” – 8th – 60 points
- 1986 – Timna Bruaer – “Die Zeit ist einsam” – 18th – 12 points
- 1987 – Gary Lux – “Nur noch Gefühl” – 20th – 8 points
- 1988 – Wilfred – “Lisa Mona Lisa” – 21st – 0 points
- 1989 – Thomas Forstner – “Nur Ein Lied” – 5th – 97 points
- 1990 – Simone – “Keine Maunern mehr” – 10th – 58 points
- 1991 – Thomas Forstner – “Venedig im Regen” – 22nd – 0 points
- 1992 – Tony Wegas – “Zusammen geh’n“- 10th – 63 points
- 1993 – Tony Wegas – “Maria Magdalena” – 14th – 32 points
- 1994 – Petra Frey – “Für den Frieden der Welt” – 17th – 19 points
- 1995 – Stella Jones – “Die Welt dreht sich verkehrt” – 13th -67 points
- 1996 – George Nussbaumer – “Weil’s dr guat got” – 10th – 68 points
- 1997 – Bettina Soriat – “One Step” – 21st – 12 points
- 1999 – Bobbie Singer – “Reflection” – 10th – 65 points
- 2000 – The Rounder Girls – “All to You” – 14th – 34 points
- 2002 – Manuel Ortega – “Say a Word” – 18th – 26 points
- 2003 – Alf Poier – “Weil der Mensch zählt” – 6th – 101 points
- 2004 – Tie Break – “Du bist” – 21st – 9 points
- 2005 – Global.Kryner – “Y así” – 21st in the Semi-Final – 30 points
- 2007 – Eric Papilaya – “Get a Life – Get Alive” – 27th in the Semi-Final – 4 points
- 2011 – Nadine Beiler – “The Secret is Love” – 18th – 64 points
- 2012 – Trackshittaz – “Woki mit deim Popo” – 18th in the Semi-Final – 8 points
- 2013 – Natália Kelly – “Shine” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 27 points
- 2014 – Conchita Wurst – “Rise Like a Phoenix” – 1st – 290 points
- 2015 – The Makemakes – “I Am Yours” – 26th – 0 points
- 2016 – Zoë – “Loin d’ici” – 13th – 151 points
- 2017 – Nathan Trent – “Running on Air” – 16th – 93 points
- 2018 – Cesár Sampson – “Nobody But You” – 3rd – 342 points
- 2019 – Paenda – “Limits” – 17th in the Semi-Final – 21 points
- 2020 – Vincent Bueno – “Alive” – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
- 2021 – Vincent Bueno – “Amen” – 12th in the Semi-Final – 66 points
- 2022 – Lumix feat. Pia Maria – “Halo” – 15th in the Semi-Final – 42 points
- 2023 – Teya and Salena – “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” – 15th – 120 points
- 2024 – Kaleen – “We Will Rave” – 24th – 24 points
- 2025 – JJ – “Wasted Love” – 1st – 436 points
- 2026 – Cosmó – “Tanzschein” – 24th – 6 points
Despite not participating in the contest, ORF broadcast the 1956, 1960, 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1998, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 finals. Only in 2010 did the Austrian broadcaster opt not to broadcast the contest.
Austria and other Eurovision family events
Austria is a regular participant in the cultural editions of Eurovision contests and is the most successful country in one of its formats.
Eurovision Choir
Austria has made one appearance competing in Eurovision Choir. They participated in the first edition of the contest in 2017 in Riga, Latvia. ORF selected Hardchor Linz, they performed “Ave Maria” / “I tua wos i wü” / “Rah” but did not place in the top three.
Eurovision Dance Contest
Austria was one of the sixteen countries that competed in the first edition of the Eurovision Dance Contest in 2007. ORF held a national selection with Kelly and Andy Kainz selected to represent Austria in London, they placed 5th with 74 points. They would again compete in 2008, represented by Dorian Steidl and Nicole Kuntner, and they finished 13th with 29 points.
Eurovision Young Dancers
Austria made its debut in Eurovision Young Dancers and competed five times in the contest, most recently in 2001. Austria’s results and representatives were:
- 1987 – Erika Nowak
- 1989 – Jürgen Wagner – Did not qualify for the final
- 1993 – Gregor Hatala – 3rd
- 1995 – Oliver Preiss
- 2001 – Rainer Krenstetter – Did not qualify for the final
ORF also broadcast the 1991 contest, but did not compete in the contest.
Eurovision Young Musicians
Austria has participated in Eurovision Young Musicians since 1982 and has only missed one contest to date. The country is the most successful participant having won six times, while it has also hosted six editions most recently in 2012.
- 1982 – Leonhard Kubizek (Clarinet)
- 1984 – Ghislaine Fleischmann (Violin)
- 1986 – Günter Voglmayr (Flute) – Did not qualify for the final
- 1988 – Julian Rachlin (Violin) – 1st
- 1990 (Host) – Christine Heeger (Piano)
- 1992 – Andreas Schablas (Clarinet)
- 1994 – Bernard Hufnagl (Trombone) – Did not qualify for the final
- 1996 – Lidia Baich (Violin) – 2nd
- 1998 (Host) – Lidia Baich (Violin) – 1st
- 2000 – Martin Grubinger (Percussion)
- 2002 – Dalibor Karvay (Violin) – 1st
- 2004 – Alexdra Soumm (Violin) – 1st
- 2006 (Host) – Daniela Koch (Flute)
- 2008 (Host) – Sol Daniel Kim (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2010 (Host) – Marie-Christine Klettner (Violin) – Did not qualify for the final
- 2012 (Host) – Emmanuel Tjeknavorian (Violin) – 2nd
- 2014 – Ziyu He (Violin) – 1st
- 2016 – Dominik Wagner (Double bass)- 3rd
- 2022 – Alexander Svetnitsky-Ehrenreich (Clarinet)
- 2024 – Leonhard Baumgartner (Violin) – 1st
Other Programs
The following shows were also broadcast by ORF of Austria:
- Songs of Europe – 1981
- Congratulations: 50 Years of the Eurovision Song Contest – 2005
- Eurovision Song Contest’s Greatest Hits – 2015
- Eurovision Europe Shine a Light – 2020
Austria & Other European Broadcasting Union Competitions
Europe Sings
ORF was the host broadcaster of Europe Sings when it was held in 2015 in Vienna. The live event took place in Vienna at the Rathausplatz. Each choir will performed a piece which had a national flavour to it, and then stay on stage to perform together popular choral songs. Austria were represented by Coro Siamo at the non-competitive event.
Let the Peoples Sing
The contest was first held in 1961 by the BBC as an annual choral contest for choirs in the United Kingdom, since 1966 it has been a choral competition for choirs across Europe. Since the late 1970s, the European Broadcasting Union has organised the event with choirs allowed to compete from across the globe.
Austria’s history in the contest:
- 1987 – Hollabrunn Chamber Chorus – Overall Winner
- 1997 – Chorus Viennensis – Finalist
- 1999 – Vienna Chamber Choir – Mixed Category Finalist
- 2001 – Chorus Sine Nomine – Adult Category Finalist
- 2005 – Ö1 aired the contest for listeners in Austria
- 2007 – Salzburgs Musikgymnasiums – Youth choir Finalist
- 2009 – Wiener Kammerchor – Adult choir finalist
- 2015 – Klangscala – Finalist in the Adult Category
During the history of the Eurovision Song Contest and Eurovision family of events over fifty countries have competed, but there are more countries eligible or interested in participating. Find out more here.
Image source: Alma Bengtsson / EBU