Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest Switzerland has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 59 times since making its debut at the first contest in , missing only four contests, in 1995, 1999, 2001 and 2003. Switzerland hosted the first contest in 1956 in Lugano, and won it. Switzerland won the contest again in 1988, with the contest being held in Lausanne. Lys Assia won the first contest in 1956 with the song "Refrain". She returned to place second in . Switzerland would go on to finish second with Esther Ofarim () and Daniela Simmons () and third with Franca
The Prayer (Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli song) The Prayer (Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli song) "The Prayer" is a popular song written by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, Alberto Testa and Tony Renis. The song was originally recorded in two solo versions for the 1998 film "Quest for Camelot", in English by Canadian singer Celine Dion and in Italian by Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. A duet between Dion and Bocelli later appeared on their respective studio albums, "These Are Special Times" (1998) and "Sogno" (1999), and was released as an airplay single on 1 March 1999. The song won the Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song