Just three weeks before the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 kicks off in Vienna, Austrian Federal President Alexander van der Bellen and his wife, Doris Schmidauer, hosted a special reception. All former Austrian Eurovision participants were invited to Hofburg Palace for what turned out to be a cheerful reunion and an opportunity to share anecdotes.
The historic Hofburg Palace provided a regal setting for this gathering, bringing together a diverse group of artists who have proudly represented Austria on the Eurovision stage over the decades.
Attendees shared fond memories and behind-the-scenes stories from their respective contests, highlighting the unique bond that connects all Eurovision participants. The event underscored the strong support for the upcoming contest in Vienna, celebrating Austria’s rich history with the competition.
The following former Austrian representatives were invited to the special reception:
- Conchita Wurst ( Austria 2014/ ESC winner)
- JJ (Austria 2025/ ESC winner)
- Paenda ( Austria 2019)
- Zoe (Austria 2016)
- Eric Papilaya (Austria 2007)
- Thomas Forstner (Austria 1988/1991)
- Bobby Singer ( Austria 1999)
- Marty BMArem ( Austria 1981)
- Tina Kairinth (The Rounder Girls/ Austria 2000)
- Cesar Sampson (Austria 2018)
- Pia Maria (Austria 2022)
- Stella Jones (Austria 1995)
- Anita (Austria 1984)
- Gary Lux (1983, 1985, 1987)
- Manuel Ortega (Austria 2002)
- Trackshitaz (Austria 2012)
- Tie Break ( Austria 2004)
- COSMO (Austria 2026)- present hopeful
President van der Bellen and Ms. Schmidauer expressed their excitement for Eurovision 2026, emphasising the contest’s role in uniting people through music and culture. This warm reception serves as a wonderful prelude to the grand spectacle that awaits Vienna in just a few weeks.
We bring you a picture gallery courtesy of ORF (Photos: Lukas Krummholz) :
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Vienna is set to host the 70th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in May 2026, with the Grand Final scheduled for 16 May at the Wiener Stadthalle.