Former Eurovision contestant Karina represented Spain in 1971 with En un mundo Nuevo, one of the few Spanish Eurovision entries to date that have achieved a 2nd place.

Yesterday, the artist received a special award on her 67th birthday recognising her contribution to music at the Premions Jaeneras 2012 Gala. Karina has had a very successful career lasting 5 decades. Her music career started in the mid-60s and gained popularity after taking part in Pasaporte a Dublin one of the most rigorous and followed Spanish Eurovision national finals, only to be paired by Operacion Triunfo in 2001/2002.

After earning the right to represent Spain in 1971, followed by her Eurovision success, Karina started her filming career and her record sales rocketed.  She soon became the nation’s sweetheart and is now considered a national treasure. During the award ceremony hosted in her hometown Jaen, Karina expressed that she felt blessed in life and emotionally announced a  last tour before retiring.

Spain has won the Eurovision Song Contest twice in 1968 and 1969 and has never failed to participate since its debut in 1961. As one of the Big 5  it automatically qualifies for the Eurovision final and its best placing in the past 20 years  has been  second place in 1995 with Anabel Conde. Since then, Spain has not  achieved  a top 5 position in the competition.

Stay tuned to esctoday.com for more news on Spain and the Eurovision Song Contest.