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Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 1972
Belgium was represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 1972 with the song "À la folie ou pas du tout", written by Daniel Nélis and Bob Milan, and performed by Serge and Christine Ghisoland. The Belgian participating broadcaster, Walloon Radio-Télévision Belge (RTB), selected its entry through a national final, after having previously selected the performer internally. The Ghisolands had previously participated in the 1970 national final. Before EurovisionArtist selectionIn October 1971, Walloon broadcaster Radio-Télévision Belge (RTB) announced that they had internally selected Serge and Christine Ghisoland to represent Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest 1972.[1] Chansons pour l'Eurovision 72Chansons pour l'Eurovision 72 was the national final format developed by RTB in order to select the Belgian entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 1972. The competition was held on 15 February 1972 and was broadcast on RTB.[2][1] Competing entriesFollowing the announcement of the Ghisolands as Belgian representatives, a song submission period was opened where composers were able to submit their songs until 31 December 1971. RTB received 180 submissions and, in collaboration with SABAM, selected four songs from the received songs to participate in the contest.[1] Several online sources incorrectly state that the national final had 10 songs. This can easily be disproved by newspapers from the time saying the national final had 4 songs,[3] and also that the songs "Marilyn" and "La rose", which are included in that list of 10 songs, were released as a single in 1970, making them ineligible for the Eurovision Song Contest 1972.[4]
FinalThe final was broadcast in two parts. The songs were previewed on 28 January 1972, and the public could start sending in postcards. The songs were then shown again on 15 February 1972 and the public could also start televoting. The winner was decided by a combination of the postcard votes and televotes. The final was hosted by Michel Lemaire.[2][1]
At EurovisionOn the night of the final the Ghisolands performed 16th in the running order, following Monaco and preceding eventual winner Luxembourg. The song seemed rather quaint and old-fashioned in comparison to many of the year's other entries, and at the close of the voting "À la folie ou pas du tout" had received 55 points, placing Belgium 17th of the 18 entries, ahead only of Malta.[5][6] Voting
References
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