Finland was represented by
Laila Kinnunen, with the song "Valoa ikkunassa", at the
1961 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 18 March in
Cannes,
France. Finland was one of three countries (along with
Spain and
Yugoslavia) making their Eurovision debut in 1961 and "Valoa ikkunassa" was chosen as the first Finnish entry at the national final organised by broadcaster
Yle and held on 12 February.
Before Eurovision
National final
The final was held at the Työväenopisto in
Helsinki, hosted by Aarno Walli. Four songs took part, having qualified from a radio-only semi-final. The winning song was chosen by an "expert" jury.[1]
On the night of the final
Laila Kinnunen performed 4th in the running order, following
Austria and preceding
Yugoslavia. At the close of voting "Valoa ikkunassa" had received 6 points (2 from
Italy and the
United Kingdom and 1 from
Denmark and France), placing Finland joint 10th (with
Monaco and the
Netherlands) of the 16 entries. The Finnish jury awarded its highest marks (3) to
Luxembourg and Monaco.[3]
Voting
Every country had a jury of ten people. Every jury member could give one point to his or her favourite song.
Finland was represented by
Laila Kinnunen, with the song "Valoa ikkunassa", at the
1961 Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 18 March in
Cannes,
France. Finland was one of three countries (along with
Spain and
Yugoslavia) making their Eurovision debut in 1961 and "Valoa ikkunassa" was chosen as the first Finnish entry at the national final organised by broadcaster
Yle and held on 12 February.
Before Eurovision
National final
The final was held at the Työväenopisto in
Helsinki, hosted by Aarno Walli. Four songs took part, having qualified from a radio-only semi-final. The winning song was chosen by an "expert" jury.[1]
On the night of the final
Laila Kinnunen performed 4th in the running order, following
Austria and preceding
Yugoslavia. At the close of voting "Valoa ikkunassa" had received 6 points (2 from
Italy and the
United Kingdom and 1 from
Denmark and France), placing Finland joint 10th (with
Monaco and the
Netherlands) of the 16 entries. The Finnish jury awarded its highest marks (3) to
Luxembourg and Monaco.[3]
Voting
Every country had a jury of ten people. Every jury member could give one point to his or her favourite song.