Backstage Corridors

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Lore & Background

In 1978, the corridor was not merely a hallway but a staged narrative element. The production team filmed these moments in pre-recorded segments, creating a continuous flow of anticipation. As artists traversed this space, they were met by a welcoming committee of former Eurovision participants, bridging the gap between past and present competitors. This moment occurred immediately after leaving the elevator, serving as a final psychological hurdle before the stage lights hit them. The camera work extended beyond just the performers; it also captured candid shots of the audience, notably famous figures like Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg, integrating the star-studded atmosphere into the backstage experience.

In Their Own Story

The cameras rolled live as the 1978 contestants began their procession through the Grand Amphitheatre's corridors. One by one, they navigated the tight walkway and stepped into an elevator that carried them to the performance level. Upon exiting the lift, the atmosphere shifted from solitary focus to communal welcome; previous participants lined up to greet the newcomers. It was a moment of shared history within the narrow confines of the venue designed by Guillaume Gillet. The camera panned past the audience, catching Jane Birkin and Serge Gainsbourg among the crowd, while artists like Izhar Cohen prepared to take the stage. For Björn Skifs from Sweden, however, this corridor journey was fraught with internal conflict; having planned to defy the native language rule by singing in English, he changed his mind at the last moment inside these very passageways, forgetting his lyrics entirely and beginning his performance in gibberish.

Reader's Guide

To understand the flow of the 1978 contest, one must look at the specific route taken by every performer. The postcards were not pre-recorded segments but live feeds showing artists moving from their holding areas through a corridor and up an elevator. This sequence ended with a greeting from past contestants before the artist reached the stage door. Each act was supported by a 45-piece orchestra, adding to the logistical complexity of these transitions. The security in these areas was equally rigorous; with fears of terrorism following the 1972 Munich Olympics and stage invasions from 1964, 200 police officers monitored the venue, ensuring that only authorized personnel moved through these corridors. Spectators entering the building had to pass through metal detectors, a stark contrast to the open greeting artists received inside.

Did You Know?

• The 1978 contest was not the first time more than one presenter hosted the event. The first Eurovision with multiple presenters was 1956, which featured two presenters: Lohengrin Filipello and Lyne Anska.
• 1978 was not the first edition to have a male presenter since 1956. Male presenters did not host in every year from 1957 to 1977; for example, Katie Boyle hosted solo in 1960.
• Björn Skifs from Sweden did not forget his lyrics in 1978; he performed 'Det blir alltid värre framåt natten' correctly. The 1974 ABBA incident involved a microphone malfunction, not forgotten lyrics.
• Jordan Television did broadcast the 1978 contest, but they interrupted the transmission after Israel's victory and showed daffodils instead.
• The Israeli winning song was conducted by Nurit Hirsh, making her the only woman to conduct a Eurovision-winning entry.

Venue and Security Protocols

The 23rd Eurovision Song Contest took place on April 22, 1978, at the Grand Amphitheatre of the Palais des Congrès in Paris's 17th arrondissement. Designed by French architect Guillaume Gillet and inaugurated in 1974, this multi-purpose venue was selected by host broadcaster TF1 after France won in 1977. Security was exceptionally tight due to fears of terrorist attacks like those at the 1972 Munich Olympics and stage invasions from 1964. Approximately 200 police officers, including undercover agents, were deployed to prevent incidents. Spectators were required to pass through metal detectors upon arrival.

Record Participation and Returning Nations

The 1978 contest featured twenty participating countries, the highest number in the competition's history at that time. Denmark returned after a twelve-year absence since 1966, while Turkey rejoined after missing two years. Several artists had previously competed as lead representatives for the same or different countries: Jean Vallée (Belgium, 1970), Norbert Niedermeyer (Austria, 1972 with Milestones; 1978 with Springtime), and Ireen Sheer (Luxembourg, 1974; Germany, 1978).

The Historic Israeli Victory

Israel won for the first time with "A-Ba-Ni-Bi" by Izhar Cohen and the Alphabeta. This was the first winning song performed in a Semitic language (Hebrew) and the only one conducted by a woman, Nurit Hirsh. The victory caused transmission issues for several North African and Middle Eastern nations. Jordan Television ended its broadcast with an image of daffodils and falsely announced Belgium as the winner after Israel became the clear leader during voting.

Production Format and On-Air Incidents

Postcards were filmed live, showing artists moving through a corridor and elevator, then being greeted by previous participants before entering the stage. Each song had a 45-piece orchestra. Swedish artist Björn Skifs forgot his lyrics after changing his mind about singing in English at the last moment, starting with gibberish. TF1 provided 29 commentary boxes for foreign broadcasters. The estimated audience was between 500 and 600 million viewers.