Eurovision Song Contest 1988 was the second victory for Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest after winning its first edition in 1956, and the last time a song in French won the contest, the language having dominated the event in earlier years. The contest helped launch an international career for two artists, the winner for Switzerland Céline Dion and Luxembourg’s representative Lara Fabian. French-Canadian Céline Dion was only famous in the French-speaking world at the time of the contest, shortly afterwards started recording songs in English. Belgian-Canadian Lara Fabian started a successful career after the contest with becoming established in various countries worldwide, with
Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 1988 Netherlands in the Eurovision Song Contest 1988 The Netherlands participated at the Eurovision Song Contest 1988, held in Dublin, Ireland. After coming 5th at the 1987 contest with "Rechtop in de wind", Dutch broadcaster Nederlandse Omroep Stichting (NOS) internally selected Gerard Joling to sing for the Netherlands at the upcoming contest in Dublin. At the Nationaal Songfestival 1988 was held on 23 March at the Congresgebouw in The Hague. Joling sang all songs in the final. The Nationaal Songfestival 1988 was held on 23 March at the Congresgebouw in The Hague, hosted by Astrid Joosten. The winner was chosen by