On 26 May, Anggun will be singing for France in the final of Eurovision 2012 held in Baku. The artist, who rose to fame in France in 1997 with her song La Neige au Sahara, will on this occasion sing a song in French and English called Écho (You and I) written by the singer herself and William Rousseau. She will be competing against 25 competitors from different countries, including Ell & Nikki, an Azeri musical duo and winners in 2011.

The biggest singing contest in the world

Held for the first time in 1956 in Lugano, Switzerland, Eurovision was then won by the Swiss singer Lys Asia with her song Refrain, sung in French. That year, only seven countries provided a candidate. The winner was chosen by a panel of judges and the vote was not open to the public. Fifty years on, Eurovision has become the biggest singing contest in the world, attracting around forty countries every year, twenty of which are in the final. Voting is now by the public and a panel of professional judges.

Eurovision and France

After numerous victories in the 1960s - André Claveau in 1958 with Dors, mon Amour, Isabelle Aubret in 1962 with Un premier amour and Frida Boccara in 1969 with Un jour, un enfant, France has one no more Eurovisions since Marie Myriam with her song L'oiseau et l'enfant in 1977.

Nevertheless, the French language occupies a significant position in Eurovison, with many francophone singers winning the contest: France Gall in 1965 with Poupée de Cire, Poupée de Son for Luxembourg and Céline Dion in 1988 with Ne partez pas sans moi for Switzerland.