Switzerland was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 with the song "La vita cos'è?", written by Bernie Staub and Thomas Marin, and performed by Jane Bogaert. The Swiss participating broadcaster, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR), selected its entry through a national final. Six entries performed during the national final. The broadcaster returned to the contest after a one-year absence following its relegation from 1999 as one of the six entrants with the least average points over the preceding five contests. Six entries performed during the national final on 29 January 2000 where a combination of jury voting and public voting selected "La vita cos'è?" performed by Jane Bogaert as the winner.
Switzerland competed in the Eurovision Song Contest which took place on 13 May 2000. Performing during the show in position 16, Switzerland placed twentieth out of the 24 participating countries, scoring 14 points.
Prior to the 2000 Contest, the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Switzerland forty-two times since its first entry in 1956.[1] It won that first edition of the contest with the song "Refrain" performed by Lys Assia. Its second victory was achieved in 1988 with the song "Ne partez pas sans moi" performed by Canadian singer Céline Dion. In 1998, it placed last failing to earn any points with the song "Lass ihn" performed by Gunvor.
As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, SRG SSR organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. The broadcaster has selected its entry for the contest through both national finals and internal selections in the past. Between 1994 and 1997, the Swiss entry was internally selected for the competition. In 1998, the broadcaster opted to organize a national final in order to select its entry, a selection procedure that continued for its 2000 entry.[2]
Before Eurovision
National final
Jane Bogaert (pictured in 1987) was selected to represent Switzerland in 2000 with the song "La vita cos'è?"
The Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG SSR) held the national final to selected its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2000 on 29 January 2000 at the Discoteca Prince of the Lugano Casino, hosted by Matteo Pelli. It was televised on SF 2 with German commentary by Sandra Studer, TSI 1 and TSR 1 with French commentary by Jean-Marc Richard.[3][4][5] Six candidate songs, selected in November 1999 by a jury panel consisting of music and media experts among 30 entries shortlisted by representatives of the three broadcasters in Switzerland: the Swiss-German broadcaster Schweizer Fernsehen der deutschen und rätoromanischen Schweiz (SF DRS), the Swiss-French broadcaster Télévision Suisse Romande (TSR) and the Swiss-Italian broadcaster Radiotelevisione svizzera di lingua italiana (RSI) from over 100 received during an open submission for entries, were performed and the combination of regional televoting (2/3) and the votes of an expert jury (1/3) selected "La vita cos'è?" performed by Jane Bogaert as the winner.[6][7][8] Among the members of the jury were Jacques Huwiler (journalist TSR) and Carol Rich (singer, who represented Switzerland in 1987).[9][10]
During the national final, the jury and televoting results were wrongly presented due to technical problems, while the televoting results of Italian-speaking Switzerland were not announced due to a collapse of the voting lines. The results were revised shortly after the show.[11][12]
The Eurovision Song Contest 2000 took place at the Globe Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, on 13 May 2000.
According to Eurovision rules, all nations with the exceptions of the bottom six countries in the 1999 contest competed in the final on 13 May 2000.[13] On 21 November 1999, an allocation draw was held which determined the running order and Switzerland was set to perform in position 16, following the entry from Germany and before the entry from Croatia.[14][15] Among the backing vocalists that joined Jane Bogaert on stage for her performance was Al Bano who previously represented Italy in 1976 and in 1985, as part of a duet with Romina Power on both occasions.[16] Switzerland finished in twentieth place with 14 points.[17][18]
In Switzerland, the contest was aired on the three broadcasters that form SRG SSR. Sandra Studer (who represented Switzerland in 1991) provided German commentary on SF 2, Jean-Marc Richard provided French commentary on TSR 1, while Jonathan Tedesco provided Italian commentary on TSI 1.[19][20] SRG SSR appointed Astrid Von Stockar as its spokesperson to announce the Swiss votes during the show.
Voting
Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Switzerland and awarded by Switzerland in the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Germany in the contest.
