Eurovision Song Contest 1988
Also known as ESC 1988, Eurovision 1988
33rd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest
Key facts
- Final
- 30 April 1988
- Venue
- RDS Simmonscourt Pavilion , Dublin, Ireland
- Organiser
- European Broadcasting Union (EBU)
- Scrutineer
- Frank Naef
- Host broadcaster
- Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ)
- Director
- Declan Lowney
- Executive producer
- Liam Miller
- Musical director
- Noel Kelehan
- Presenters
- Pat Kenny Michelle Rocca
- Countries that did not participate after
- Cyprus
- Voting system
- Each country awarded 12, 10, 8-1 point(s) to their 10 favourite songs
- Winning song
- Switzerland , " Ne partez pas sans moi "
~24 min read
Article
The Eurovision Song Contest 1988 was the 33rd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, held on 30 April 1988 at the RDS Simmonscourt Pavilion in Dublin, Ireland, and presented by Pat Kenny and Michelle Rocca. It was organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and host broadcaster Radio Telefís Éireann (RTÉ), who staged the event after winning the 1987 contest for Ireland with the song "Hold Me Now" by Johnny Logan.
Broadcasters from 22 countries submitted entries, however, Cyprus ultimately rescinded its entry after its selected song was determined to have been performed several years prior to the contest, breaking the contest rules. The winner was Switzerland with the song "Ne partez pas sans moi", composed by Atilla Şereftuğ, with lyrics by Nella Martinetti, and performed by Céline Dion. It was Switzerland's second contest win, and remains as of 2026 the last winning song to be performed in French. The United Kingdom, Denmark, Luxembourg, and Norway rounded out the top five positions, with the UK achieving its eleventh runner-up placing, while Austria placed last for the sixth time, receiving nul points for the second time.