Italy @ Eurovision

According to wikipedia:

"The reason behind the (Italians) refusal to participate is explained by the fact that "Italians are so passionate about their many singer-songwriters, cantautori. It's just for this reason that Italy no longer participates every year in the Europe-wide song festival called the Eurovision Song Festival."

"A few years back, when Italy came in a terrible position with a song and performance by one of their most treasured singer-songwriters, Enrico Ruggeri, they took their ball and well home, refusing to play with Eurovision any more. They accused their fellow broadcasters of catering to the masses' lack of musical sophistication and of politicized voting."