Eurovision – 🇧🇪 Belgium

Belgium was one of the seven countries that participated in the first edition of the Eurovision Song Contest and has participated in numerous Eurovision contests.

Belgium in Eurovision

Belgium has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest since its first edition in 1956. Belgium is currently the only participating country that alternates the organising broadcaster each year, VRT in Flanders and RTBF in Wallonia take turns selecting the Belgian entry.

• 1956 – Fud Leclerc – “Messieurs les noyés de la Seine” – Unknown
• 1956 – Mony Marc – “Le Plus Beau Jour de ma vie” – Unknown
• 1957 – Bobbiejaan Schoepen – “Straatdeuntje” – 8th – 5 points
• 1958 – Fud Leclerc – “Ma petite chatte” – 5th – 8 points
• 1959 – Bob Benny – “Hou toch van mij” – 6th – 9 points
• 1960 – Fud Leclrec – “Mon amour pour toi” – 6th – 9 points
• 1961 – Bob Benny – “September, gouden roos” – 15th – 1 point
• 1962 – Fud Leclerc – “Ton nom” – 13th – 0 points
• 1963 – Jacques Raymond – “Waarom?” – 10th – 4 points
• 1964 – Robert Cogoi – “Près de ma rivière” – 10th – 2 points
• 1965 – Lize Marke – “Als het weer lente is” – 15th – 0 points
• 1966 – Tonia – “Un peu de poivre, un peu de sel” – 4th – 14 points
• 1967 – Louis Neefs – “Ik heb zorgen” – 7th – 8 points
• 1968 – Claude Lombard – “Quand tu reviendras” – 7th – 8 points
• 1969 – Louis Neefs – “Jennifer Jennings” – 7th – 10 points
• 1970 – Jean Vallée – “Viens l’oublier” – 8th – 5 points
• 1971 – Jacques Raymond and Lily Castel – “Goeie morgen, morgen” – 14th – 68 points
• 1972 – Serge and Christine Ghisoland – “À la folie ou pas du tout” – 17th – 55 points
• 1973 – Nicole and Hugo – “Baby Baby” – 17th – 58 points
• 1974 – Jacques Hustin – “Fleur de liberté” – 9th – 10 points
• 1975 – Ann Christy – “Gelukkig zijn” – 15th – 17 points
• 1976 – Pierre Rapsat – “Judy et Cie” – 8th – 68 points
• 1977 – Dream Express – “A Million in One, Two, Three” – 7th – 69 points
• 1978 – Jean Vallée – “L’amour ça fait chanter la vie” – 2nd – 125 points
• 1979 – Micha Marah – “Hey Nana” – 18th – 5 points
• 1980 – Telex – “Euro-Vision” – 17th – 14 points
• 1981 – Emly Starr – “Samson” – 13th – 40 points
• 1982 – Stella – “Si tu aimes ma musique” – 4th – 96 points
• 1983 – Pas de Deux – “Rendez-vous” – 18th – 13 points
• 1984 – Jacques Zegers – “Avanti la vie” – 5th – 70 points
• 1985 – Lina Lepomme – “Laat me nu gaan” – 19th – 7 points
• 1986 – Sandra Kim – “J’aime la vie” – 1st – 176 points
• 1987 – Liliane Saint-Pierre – “Soldiers of Love” – 11th – 56 points
• 1988 – Reynaert – “Laissez briller la soleil” – 18th – 5 points
• 1989 – Ingeborg – “Door de wind” – 19th – 13 points
• 1990 – Philippe Lafontaine – “Macédomienne” – 12th – 46 points
• 1991 – Clouseau – “Geef het op” – 16th – 23 points
• 1992 – Morgane – “Nous on veut des violins” – 20th – 11 points
• 1993 – Barbara – “Iemand als jij” – 25th – 3 points
• 1995 – Frédéric Etherlinck – “La voix est libre” – 20th – 8 points
• 1996 – Lisa del Bo – “Liefde is een kaartspel” – 16th – 22 points
• 1998 – Mélanie Cohl – “Dis oui” – 6th – 122 points
• 1999 – Vanessa Chinitor – “Like the Wind” – 12th – 38 points
• 2000 – Nathalie Sorce – “Envie de vivre” – 24th – 2 points
• 2002 – Sergio and the Ladies – “Sister” – 13th – 33 points
• 2003 – Urban Trad – “Sanomi” – 2nd – 165 points
• 2004 – Xandee – “1 Life” – 22nd – 7 points
• 2005 – Nuno Resende – “Le Grande Soir” – 22nd in the Semi-Final – 29 points
• 2006 – Kate Ryan – “Je t’adore” – 12th in the Semi-Final – 69 points
• 2007 – The KMG’s – “Love Power” – 26th in the Semi-Final – 14 points
• 2008 – Ishtar – “O Julissi” – 17th in the Semi-Final – 16 points
• 2009 – Copycat – “Copycat” – 17th in the Semi-FIinal – 1 point
• 2010 – Tom Dice – “Me and My Guitar” – 6th – 143 points
• 2011 – Witloof Bay – “With Love Baby” – 11th in the Semi-Final – 53 points
• 2012 – Iris – “Would You?” – 17th in the Semi-Final – 16 points
• 2013 – Roberto Bellarosa – “Love Kills” – 12th – 71 points
• 2014 – Axel Hirsoux – “Mother” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 28 points
• 2015 – Loïc Nottet – “Rhythm Inside” – 4th – 217 points
• 2016 – Laura Tesoro – “What’s the Pressure” – 10th – 181 points
• 2017 – Blanche – “City Lights” – 4th – 363 points
• 2018 – Sennek – “A Matter of Time” – 12th in the Semi-Final – 91 points
• 2019 – Eliot – “Wake Up” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 70 points
• 2020 – Hooverphonic – “Release Me” – Contest cancelled due to COVID-19
• 2021 – Hooverphonic – “The Wrong Place” – 19th – 74 points
• 2022 – Jérémie Makiese – “Miss You” – 19th – 64 points
• 2023 – Gustaph – “Because of You” – 7th – 182 points
• 2024 – Mustii – “Before the Party’s Over” – 13th in the Semi-Final – 18 points
• 2025 – Red Sebastian – “Strobe Lights” – 14th in the Semi-Final – 23 points
• 2026 – Essyla – “Dancing on the Ice” – 21st – 36 points

In 1994, 1997 and 2001 Belgium did not participate in the Eurovision Song Contest due to failing to meet the criteria to qualify for the contest. In those years Belgium’s previous results meant it was among a group of countries who had to miss a year to enable other countries to compete.

Belgium and other Eurovision family events

Belgium has a rich history of participating in nearly every format that the European Broadcasting Union has created.

Eurovision Choir

RTBF, the French language broadcaster, has competed in both editions of Eurovision Choir. The Belgian entries were internally selected by RTBF:

• 2017 – Les Pastoureaux – “Dans la troupe” / “Ensemble”
• 2019 – Almakalia – “Made in Belgium” (medley)

Eurovision Magic Circus Show

Belgium’s VRT participated in all three editions of the Eurovision Magic Circus Show in 2012. The event was held between 2010 and 2012 featuring children aged between 6 and 15 years old. The competition was hosted by the Swiss broadcaster RTS and took place in a circus tent of Circus Pajazzo in Chêne-Bougeries.

• 2010 –  Belgian Cabaret – Acrobatics
• 2010 – Manon & Stien – Gymnastics
• 2011 – Ze Boyz – Diabolo
• 2011 – While Wheel – Wheel gymnastics
• 2011 – Andreas – Juggler
• 2012 – Tom – Juggling
• 2012 – Acrobatiek Stewardesses – Acrobatics

Read more below:

Eurovision Magic Circus Show

Eurovision Talent Contest

The Eurovision Talent Contest was launched as the sixth spin-off contest of the Eurovision brand at the end of 2007. The aim was to “Uncover the best, most unique and surprising talents wherever they may be in a pan-European event set up along competitive lines and keying into the most powerful elements of the Eurovision brand and formula.” VRT of Belgium was one of three broadcasters to sign up to participate, read more below:

Eurovision Talent Contest

Eurovision Young Dancers

Belgium was one of eleven countries to compete in the first edition of Eurovision Young Dancers in 1985, they went on to participate eleven times in the competition. Belgium’s results were as follows:

• 1985 – Ariane van de Vyver and Ben Huys
• 1987 – Bart de Block and Marieke Simons
• 1989 – Géraldine Boussart
• 1991 – Vanessa Eertmans – Did not qualify for the final
• 1993 – Rafaella Raschella – Did not qualify for the final
• 1995 – Jeroen Hofmans – 3rd
• 1997 – Alain Honorez – 2nd
• 1999 – Frederik Deberdt
• 2001 – Jeroen Verbruggen – 2nd
• 2003 – Sébastien Tassin – Did not qualify for the final
• 2005 – Majorie Lenain – 3rd

VRT broadcast Eurovision Young Dancers 2013 on VRT OP12, but did not participate in the contest.

Eurovision Young Musicians

Belgium made its debut in Eurovision Young Musicians in 1986 and hosted the 1992 edition in Brussels. The country has participated intermittently, most recently returning after a significant absence in 2018. RTBF currently participates in Eurovision Young Musicians and organises a selection to determine its participant.

Belgium’s results are:

• 1986 – Rhonny Ventat (Saxophone) – Did not qualify for the final
• 1988 – Eliane Reyes (Piano) – Did not qualify for the final
• 1990 – Christophe Delporte (Accordion) – 3rd
• 1992 (Host) – Marie Hallynck (Cello) – 3rd
• 1994 – David Cohen (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
• 1996 – David Cohen (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
• 2000 – Yossif Ivanov (Violin) – Did not qualify for the final
• 2004 – Philippe Ivanov (Piano) – Did not qualify for the final
• 2006 – Ilia Laporev (Cello) – Did not qualify for the final
• 2018 – Alexandra Cooreman (Violin) – Did not qualify for the final
• 2022 – Thaïs Defoort (Cello)
• 2024 – Mahault Ska (Piano)
• 2026 – Simon Nakhimovitch (Marimba)

RTBF also broadcast the 1984 on Télé 2 and the 1998 final on La Deux but did not compete in the contest. The 2002 contest was aired on RTBF and VRT. The contest returned to Belgian screens again in 2010 when RTBF aired the contest.

Junior Eurovision Song Contest

Belgium was one of sixteen countries to participate in the first edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Originally participation alternated between VRT and RTBF, however, following 2006 RTBF dropped participation in the contest. Belgium hosted the 2005 edition in Hasselt.

• 2003 – X!NK – “De vriendschapsband” – 6th – 83 points
• 2004 – Free Spirits – “Accroche-toi” – 10th – 37 points
• 2005 – Lindsay – “Mes rêves” – 10th – 63 points
• 2006 – Thor! – “Een tocht door het donker” – 7th – 71 points
• 2007 – Trust – “Anders” – 15th – 19 points
• 2008 – Oliver – “Shut Up” – 11th – 45 points
• 2009 – Laura – “Zo verliefd (Yodelo)” – 4th – 113 points
• 2010 – Jill and Lauren – “Get Up!” – 7th – 61 points
• 2011 – Femke – “Een kusje meer” – 7th – 64 points
• 2012 – Fabian – “Abracadabra” – 5th – 72 points

Other Programs

The following shows were also broadcast by RTBF and VRT of Belgium:

• 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

Belgium & Other European Broadcasting Union Competitions

 Jeux sans frontières

Jeux sans frontières was organised by the European Broadcasting Union between 1965 and 1999, with thirty editions of the show held. The show saw broadcasters send teams to compete in a series of games, each broadcaster hosted one episode. Belgium participated in 20 editions of the contest between 1965 and 1989. Belgium was one of a handful of countries to sign-up for a relaunch planned for 2007, however, the show was cancelled.

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.

Belgium’s history in the contest:

• 1973 – Koninklijk Lyceum van Oostende
• 1995 – Arc Sonore – Finalist selected by VRT
• 1997 (Host – Brussels)

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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: EBU / Thomas Hanses