1956 Inaugural Contest

The first Eurovision Song Contest was held on 24 May 1956 at the Teatro Kursaal in Lugano, Switzerland, presented by Lohengrin Filipello - the only time a solo male presenter has hosted. The idea, inspired by Italy's Sanremo Music Festival and proposed by the Italian broadcaster RAI, was worked out by an EBU committee led by Marcel Bezencon and approved in 1955. Seven countries took part, and Switzerland won with "Refrain" by Lys Assia.