Remo Forrer comes from Hemberg in canton St Gallen.
Srf/lukas Maeder
Remo Forrer, a 21-year-old singer from eastern Switzerland, has been chosen to represent the Alpine country at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Liverpool.
The song that the young singer will perform on May 9 in the first semi-final will be announced on March 7. The final is scheduled on May 13.
“The Eurovision Song Contest is one of the greatest things you can do,” the singer from Hemberg in canton St Gallen told Swiss public television, SRF. “It has always been a dream and I’m super happy that it’s now coming true.”
External Content
Swiss musicians were invited to submit their songs for participation in the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest. A 20-person international jury and a panel of 100 spectators decided the Swiss entry.
“Not only can I deliver under pressure, I also like to do it,” said Forrer, who won the third season of “The Voice of Switzerland”External link talent show in 2020.
The Eurovision Song Contest was initiated by the Geneva-based European Broadcasting Union in 1956 – Switzerland won the inaugural competition – and has become one of Europe’s most popular annual music events. Launched to foster unity after the Second World War, it has evolved over the years from a bland ballad-fest to a feel-good extravaganza. It has grown from seven countries to include more than 40, including non-European nations such as Israel and Australia.
The 67th contest will take place in Liverpool and will be broadcast to over 160 million TV and online viewers. Britain stepped in as host country to replace Ukraine.
Despite doing well in the early days, Switzerland has generally underperformed since 1988, when unknown Canadian singer Céline Dion was flown in to represent the Alpine nation and ended up flying home with the trophy. But the tide may be turning. Decades of miserable results followed until 2019, when Luca Hänni from Bern came fourth. Two years later Gjon Muharremaj, performing the song Tout l’univers (all the universe) under the name Gjon’s Tears, came third.
Popular Stories
More
Foreign affairs
Why Swiss trams have become sought-after vehicles in Ukraine
Switzerland participates in ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting
This content was published on
This engagement was part of a four-day tour of Southeast Asia, aimed at advancing the Swiss Federal Council's Southeast Asia Strategy.
Majority of shareholders approve sustainability reports of major Swiss companies
This content was published on
Shareholders have approved the sustainability reports of the largest Swiss companies by a large majority at their annual general meetings.
EU releases €1.5B frozen assets to Ukraine: Switzerland opts out
This content was published on
The EU announced the release of €1.5 billion (CHF1.44 billion) in aid to Ukraine. Switzerland will not follow the EU's approach.
Five people charged in connection with deadly Swiss rockslide
This content was published on
Five people have been charged with multiple negligent homicide in connection with the deadly Bondo rockslide that occurred seven years ago.
Mountaineer dies after 100-metre fall from Matterhorn
This content was published on
A women fell down the east face of the iconic mountain on Thursday, from an altitude of some 3,460 meters above sea level.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
‘Super happy’ Eurovision success returns to Switzerland
This content was published on
The bronze medallist at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest is the first Swiss act to make the top three since Céline Dion won the event in 1988.
This content was published on
Thirty years ago Canadian singer Céline Dion won the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland. It's been downhill for the Swiss ever since.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.