In 2019, the Netherlands accomplished an ESC milestone by securing their fifth victory since 1956, all thanks to Duncan Laurence, who brought the contest back to his homeland. With his mesmerizing ballad “Arcade,” Laurence has now joined the ranks of past winners Corry Brokken, Teddy Scholten, Lenny Kuhr, and Teach-In. Notably, the Netherlands’ most recent triumph had occurred more than 40 years prior when the vibrant group Teach-In emerged victorious with their catchy tune “Ding-A-Dong.”

Usually, the ESC would have been hosted in the Netherlands the following year, but for the first time in its history, the Eurovision Song Contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the circumstances, it was deemed too risky to proceed with the event, and all the singers had to accept this difficult decision. Some of them had the opportunity to participate again the next year with a new song, but for others, their Eurovision dream remained just an elusive fantasy.

Despite the various challenges posed by organizing the event while adhering to social distancing and hygiene protocols, the ESC finally took place in 2021 at the same venue where it was scheduled to occur in 2020. The atmosphere was notably different, with a smaller press centre, mandatory mask-wearing, and limited opportunities for socializing. Additionally, there was no Eurovision village, and the residents of Rotterdam were unable to take part in the festivities. Nevertheless, the show from 2021 reignited courage and optimism, reminding everyone of the power of music to bring people together.

The Netherlands remains one of the most successful countries in Eurovision history, having secured five victories in the early decades of the contest. These triumphs include Corry Brokken’s “Net Als Toen” in 1957, Teddy Scholten’s “Een Beetje” in 1959, Lenny Kuhr’s “De Troubadour” in 1969, Teach-In’s “Ding-A-Dong” in 1975, and Duncan Laurence‘s “Arcade.”

Since their first participation in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956, the Netherlands has taken part in the event on a mostly regular basis. However, there have been certain years when the Dutch broadcaster NOS decided to withdraw from the contest.

Over the years, the Netherlands has achieved 27 Top 10 placements in the Eurovision Song Contest, indicating an approximately 42% chance of securing a Top 10 spot in the Grand Final. However, since the Semi-Finals were introduced in 2004, the Netherlands has had difficulty qualifying for the Grand Finals, only making it nine times.

But in 2013, Anouk reignited interest in the ESC and brought back enthusiasm for the contest. Her impressive performance earned her a respectable 9th place in the Grand Final held in Malmö. The following year, The Common Linnets took it to the next level, achieving a phenomenal 2nd place finish, with just a 52-point gap behind Austria’s Conchita Wurst. This success launched The Common Linnets’ international career, and their song is still being played on radio stations worldwide.