Carinthia cheers: JJ and Thurner get ESC victory for Austria!

Carinthia cheers: JJ and Thurner get ESC victory for Austria!

On May 18, 2025, Austria celebrates an overwhelming victory at the Eurovision Song Contest. The Carinthian artist JJ and the producer Thomas Thurner from St. Veit an der Glan ensured cheering and enthusiasm across the country with their song "Wasted Love". Governor Peter Kaiser congratulated the two and emphasized the importance of this success for the Carinthian music scene and the state as a whole. With 436 points, JJ clearly prevailed against strong competitors from Israel and Estonia.

jj is the third Austrian who brings home the coveted ESC win. The victory not only marks an individual triumph, but is also considered a big moment for the entire music scene of Carinthia. Kaiser emphasizes that the success of Thurner Carinthia puts in the international spotlight and demonstrates creativity and the artistic talent of the federal state.

a creative process

The collaboration between JJ and Thurner was crucial for the success of the song. Thurner, who was also involved in writing the piece, remembered the processes in the studio: "During our conversations, we created small compositions on the piano to capture the feeling of these dialogues." The harmonious voices of JJ and the former ESC participant Teya already caused goosebumps in the studio, which probably made an important contribution to the emotional impact of the song.

Kaiser's message also illustrates that music is a connecting element that crosses borders. The governor sees this victory as a sign of creativity, diversity and passion, values ​​that are held up in the culture and in everyday life in Carinthia.

The story of the Eurovision Song Contest in Austria

Austria has been participating in the prestigious competition since 1958 and has an eventful history. While Bob Martin had no great success in 1958 with "where, little pony", Udo Jürgens helped the country to win the country in the 1960s with "Merci, Chérie". Since then there have been numerous appearances, from sensational victories to disappointing placements. The most exciting success lies in the hands of a few outstanding artists under which Conchita Wurst has become the best known name in 2014.

With the new victory over "Wasted Love", however, the picture of further appearances in Austria could change at the Eurovision Song Contest. In addition to Udo Jürgens and Conchita Wurst, the most successful participants also include Thomas Forstner, whose successes have significantly shaped the history of the competition in Austria.