Italy’s Måneskin Wins Eurovision 2021 With “Zitti e Buoni”

Italy’s Måneskin emerged as the winner of Eurovision this year with their garage rock anthem, “Zitti e buoni.” The performance garnered 524 points. France’s Barbara Pravi came in second with 499 points for the song, “Voila,” and Switzerland’s “Tout l’Univers,” performed by Gjon’s Tears, got third with 432 points.

This is the country’s first time taking top honors at Eurovision since 1990 and the third time since the event started. The groups played before a crowd of 3,500 spectators who had all turned in negative COVID-19 tests. The event organizers did not require mask-wearing or social distancing.

Eurovision 2020 was canceled last year at the height of the pandemic, the first time in its entire history. However, the hosts and most of the groups who were set to perform in Eurovision 2020 returned for Eurovision 2021.

The event was a test for the continent as it hopefully begins to come out of the pandemic lockdowns. The effects of the pandemic were still felt as Iceland could not participate in person. One of their band members tested positive for the virus, so they had to submit a virtual performance. The group placed fourth with “10 Years” by Dadi Freyr og Gagnamagnid. The hosting venue, itself, stood as a reminder of this past year, as Rotterdam Ahoy was used as an emergency hospital during the worst part of the pandemic.

Of the impact of COVID-19, performer Tix said, “Eurovision feels less like a contest this year. I’m feeling a sense of responsibility. There are people whose past year has been f—ing miserable. A lot of people find comfort in the Eurovision community.”

The song contest was first initiated to foster relations between European countries after World War II but has since developed into one of the most-watched programs in the world, garnering over 200 million viewers. Eurovision 2021 was the 65th time the contest was held.