Italy debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956 as one of the founding countries and has won three times. Its first victory came in 1964 with Gigliola Cinquetti’s Non ho l’età (per amarti), followed by Toto Cutugno’s Insieme: 1992 in 1990, and most recently, Måneskin’s Zitti e buoni in 2021, which brought rock back to the Eurovision spotlight. Known for its strong ballads and sophisticated lyrics, Italy often performs in Italian, celebrating its linguistic and cultural identity.
After withdrawing from the contest in 1997, Italy returned in 2011 and quickly re-established itself as a powerhouse, regularly finishing in the top ten. The national selection, Festival di Sanremo, has been instrumental in shaping Italy’s Eurovision entries, emphasizing high-quality songwriting and live performances.
Notable recent entries include Il Volo’s Grande Amore (3rd place in 2015) and Mahmood’s Soldi (2nd place in 2019), both of which showcased Italy’s ability to blend modern sounds with traditional influences.
Italy’s Eurovision strategy focuses on emotional delivery, powerful vocals, and a mix of contemporary and classic Italian styles, maintaining its status as a formidable contender.
