On this day in 1971, the 16th edition of the annual Eurovision Song Contest was held in Dublin, Ireland, following the country’s victory at the 1970 contest with the song All Kinds of Everything by Dana. Organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), the contest was held at the Gaiety Theatre, and was hosted by Irish television presenter Bernadette Ní Ghallchóir.
Eighteen countries participated in the contest, equalling the record of the 1965 and 1966 editions. Austria returned after their two-year absence, while Finland, Norway, Portugal and Sweden all returned after having boycotted the competition the previous year. On the other hand, Malta competed for the first time.
The winner was Monaco with the song Un banc, un arbre, une rue, performed by Séverine, written by Yves Dessca, and composed by Jean-Pierre Bourtayre. This was Monaco’s first and only victory in the contest. This was also the only time in the contest’s history, where the second and third-placed entrants were also awarded.
euro-vision.blog 