El Salvador in the OTI Festival

El Salvador and its OTI member station Telecorporación Salvadoreña (TCS) debuted in the OTI Festival in 1974 in Acapulco with many of their Central American neighbours. The first Salvadorean performer in the song contest was Félix Lopez with his song "Todo será de nosotros" (Everything will be ours), which placed 10th with three points in a tie with México, Honduras and the Netherlands Antilles. Since then, the country took part in every edition of the festival till the last edition which was held again in Acapulco.

El Salvador
El Salvador
Participating broadcasterTelecorporación Salvadoreña (TCS)
Participation summary
Appearances25
First appearance1974
Highest placement6th in 1977
External links
Telecorporación Salvadoreña website

History edit

El Salvador was one of the least successful participants in the OTI Festival. In 1975 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, one year after their debut, the Central American country finished last with zero points in a tie with Bolivia.

In Madrid in 1977 TCS achieved sixth place for El Salvador with Ana Marcela D'Antonio with her song "Enseñame a vivir" (Teach me how to live) which was acclaimed by the juries and the press. This was the first and only time when the Salvadorean delegation reached the top ten places in the contest.

Although El Salvador never managed to win the festival, it achieved a significant result with Álvaro Torres who took part in the festival in Santiago with his song "Gracias" (Thank you) in 1978. Even though he ended second to last, tied with Colombia, his career took off thanks to his performance in the OTI Festival.

Contestants edit

Year Artist Song Place Pts
2000 Marinella Arrué Soñador (Dreamer)
1998 Julio Roberto Hernández Año 2000 (The year 2000)
1997 Rafael Alfaro Cantándole a la vida

(Singing to life)

1996 Juan Manuel Bolaños Con alguien más

(With someone else)

1995 Matices Ven aquí conmigo

(Come here with me)

1994 Claudia Basagoitia Tú, sólo tú (You, only you)
1993 Roberto Salamanca Ella (She)
1992 María Gabriela Ruego (I pray)
1991 Rosa María Aguilar Esta noche no (Not tonight)
1990 Walter Artiga Todavía el amor perdona

(Love still forgives)

1989 Gerardo Parker Quisiera (I would like)
1988 Walter Artiga No está bien (It's not good)
1987 Iliana Posas Nadie más que tú

(No none else than you)

1986 Jaime Turich Pensalo dos veces, Martín

(Think it twice, Martín)

1985 Oscar Alejandro Vendedor de canciones

(Song seller)

1984 Carlos Hernandez Soy (I am)
1983 Ernesto Guerra Del principio al final

(From the start to the end)

1982 Félix López Con un cuento en el bolsillo

(With a tale in the pocket)

11 14
1981 Eduardo Fuentes El latinoamericano

(The Latin American)

12 11
1980 Ricardo Alfaro El séptimo día (The seventh day) 19 4
1979 Andrés Valencia Niño, mi lindo niño

(Child, my beautiful child)

14 10
1978 Álvaro Torres Gracias (Thank you) 16 1
1977 Ana Marcela D'Antonio Enséñame a vivir

(Teach me how to live)

6 3
1976 Walter Salvador Bautista Tú que no mueres en la muerte

(You, who doesn't die in the death)

15 1
1975 Eduardo Fuentes Trataré de olvidarte

(I will try to forget you)

17 0
1974 Félix López Todo será de nosotros

(Everything will be ours)

10 3