The fourth series of “X - Factor” has begun on Italian television and it has been announced that the winner, instead of being offered a place at the
Sanremo Song Festival, may represent Italy at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest.
Italy has not participated in Eurovision since 1997 when the song “Fiumi di Parole” finished in fourth place. The country prides itself on its popular music and accused the organisers of Eurovision of pandering to the public’s lack of appreciation of musical sophistication and of political voting. Italy also withdrew from the contest several times prior to 1997.
Italy has won Eurovision twice: with “Non ho l’età” sung by Gigliola Cinquetti in 1964 and with “Insieme: 1992” sung by Toto Cutugno in 1990. Of songs which have won Eurovision, only “Non ho l’età” was a major hit in Italy, though the country’s 1984 entry, “I treni di Tozeur”, which finished in fifth place, reached number three in the Italian hit parade.
Historically Italy has given the most votes to France and received the most votes from Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest.
There is a Bring Back Italy to Eurovision Song Contest! page on facebook.
In the following video: Gigliola Cinguetti singing "Non ho l'età" and Toto Cutugno singing "Insieme":
What is your favourite Eurovision song?
