Eurovision Song Contest 1988 — 33rd edition of the Eurovision Song Contest
Céline Dion won Eurovision 1988 for Switzerland, marking the last French-language winner as of 2026.
Key Facts
- Edition
- 33rd Eurovision Song Contest
- Date
- 30 April 1988
- Winning song
- Ne partez pas sans moi – Céline Dion (Switzerland)
- Participating countries
- 22 (Cyprus withdrew)
- Austria's result
- Last place, nul points (6th last-place finish)
- UK placement
- Runner-up (11th time in second place)
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Ireland won the 1987 Eurovision Song Contest with Johnny Logan's 'Hold Me Now', obligating host broadcaster RTÉ to organise the following year's contest. Dublin was selected as the venue, with the RDS Simmonscourt Pavilion chosen to host the event.
The 33rd Eurovision Song Contest was held on 30 April 1988 in Dublin, presented by Pat Kenny and Michelle Rocca. Twenty-one countries competed after Cyprus withdrew. Switzerland's entry, 'Ne partez pas sans moi', performed by Céline Dion and composed by Atilla Şereftuğ with lyrics by Nella Martinetti, took the top prize.
Switzerland claimed its second Eurovision victory, and Céline Dion gained significant international exposure that contributed to her rise as a global music star. The winning song remains, as of 2026, the last Eurovision winner performed in French, marking a shift away from French-language dominance in the contest.
Work
Ne partez pas sans moi
Céline Dion's Eurovision win launched her international career; the song remains the last French-language entry to win the contest as of 2026.