No sooner had the ESC final started in 2023 than there was talk of a German Schlager legend. What’s behind it?
Munich/Liverpool – The ESC can look back on a long history. Each final wrote its own story. Dominating winners, suspense right to the end, dramatic point failures – basically the full range of the keyboard was and is given at the Eurovision Song Contest.
And yet it is often the little stories, the supposed marginal aspects, that have always made the ESC what it is. This was also the case at the ESC final 2023, which was brilliantly opened by last year’s winners from Ukraine, the Kalush Orchestra. No sooner had the quartet of moderators around “Game of Thrones” star Hannah Waddingham entered the stage than a German hit legend and ESC great should be mentioned. But who – and why?
ESC final 2023 starts with a greeting to the German Schlager legend – “we have never forgotten you!”
Before the 26 acts were allowed to demonstrate their skills in the 2023 ESC final, a look was taken at the record winners at the European music competition. And lo and behold: Ireland is enthroned at the top with seven victories. Closely followed by Sweden with six wins, who should draw level with Loreen’s second win at the end of the evening.
Three countries shared third place. The Netherlands, France – and Luxembourg. Yes, little Luxembourg has won the ESC five times so far. And that, although there has been no ESC participation since 1993 – which will change in 2024. Showmaster Graham Norton should point this out explicitly. Followed by this exclamation: “Vicky Leandros, we have never forgotten you!”
Suddenly Vicky Leandros was a topic of conversation in the 2023 ESC final – Schlager legend won the song contest for Luxembourg
Luxembourg, Vicky Leandros, the ESC – how is that connected? Younger viewers and fans of the Eurovision Song Contest – which include Jan Böhmermann and Olli Schulz – may not know this. But the German-Greek Schlager legend, whose evergreen “I love life” rounds off every party, took part in the ESC twice for Luxembourg a long time ago.
In 1967 she was still in her early teens when she took fourth place with “L’amour est bleu”. And then again five years later, when she was even able to win for Luxembourg with “Après toi”. Incidentally, the last time Luxembourg triumphed was in 1983 at the ESC, after which it went downhill.
German-Greek Vicky Leandros wrote ESC history with Luxembourg
Vicky Leandros has German and Greek citizenship and still took part in the ESC for Luxembourg. That was and is compliant with the rules. Because the musicians who compete for a country at the ESC do not have to be born in that country. In the early days of the traditional ESC, which has been held since 1956, it was mandatory for the participants to sing in the respective national language.
| Singer: | Vicky Leandros |
| Born: | 23 August 1952 (age 70), Paleokastritsa, Greece |
| Spouse: | Enno von Ruffin (married 1986–2005), Ivan Zissiadis (married 1982–1986) |
| Children: | Sandra von Ruffin, Maximiliane von Ruffin, Leandros Zissiadis |
| Parents: | Leo Leandros, Boubou Papathanassiou |
| Nominations: | ECHO – pop artist of the year, ECHO – national pop artist |
No problem for Vicky Leandros, who spoke French and was therefore able to compete for Luxembourg. The success mentioned speaks for itself. And reason enough for Graham Norton to honor and greet the Schlager legend at the ESC final in 2023. Meanwhile, another ESC legend spoke up – and analyzed Germany’s renewed bankruptcy at the ESC. (han)