Germany
The basics Full country name Federal Republic of Germany Capital Berlin Facts First participation 1956 (Walter Andreas Schwarz) Victories 1982 (Nicole) 2010 (Lena) Hosts Frankfurt 1957 Munich 1983 Düsseldorf 2011
Germany was one of the founding countries of the Eurovision Song Contest has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest every year since 1956 apart from 1996 when its entry failed to qualify from a pre-selection round.
Germany's early decades at the Eurovision Song Contest were a mixed bag; a couple of top five placings but finishing last with zero points in two contests running in 1964 and 1965. It would take Germany until 1970 to reach the top three for the first time when Katja Epstein represented the country in Amsterdam.
Germany's most successful decade at the Eurovision Song Contest was the 1980s where the country notched up six top five placings including four second places and its first victory in 1982 when Nicole won the contest in Harrogate with Ein bißchen Frieden. In 2010 Lena won the Eurovision Song Contest for Germany for the second time with the song Satellite.
German songwriter Ralph Siegel is one of the most notable figures in the competition having written more than 20 different entries, including Germany's first winner in 1982.
