Tonight, it’s San Marino’s turn to choose its representative for the 69th Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place in Basel, Switzerland. The selection will be made through a new show, announced earlier this year, called the San Marino Song Contest!
The first-ever San Marino Song Contest is here!
December 16, 2024, was a milestone for Saint Marino, as San Marino RTV announced the organization of the first San Marino Song Contest, replacing the Una Voce Per San Marino, which had served as the national final for three years and gained significant popularity. The news was accompanied by the approval of an extensive investment plan to upgrade the country’s public broadcaster, which is 50% owned by the Italian network RAI. The goal was to enhance the prestige of the contest and create a more modern, competitive format that would attract artists from around the world, as well as strengthen Saint Marino’s presence in Eurovision.
Up to that point, more than 1,100 entries had been recorded in Una Voce Per San Marino from artists in over 48 countries, showing the strong appeal of the contest. Although the official announcements were limited, it was clear that Una Voce Per San Marino would continue in a revamped form, now consisting of semifinals, with over 200 artists competing for 20 spots in the San Marino Song Contest. The decision of San Marino RTV to organize 7 semifinals—6 for international artists and 1 for Saint Marino artists—was initially seen as a step toward creating a more international and competitive contest. These semifinals were scheduled to air from February 22 to 28.
However, on the evening of February 24, the third semifinal was not broadcast, and on February 25, when we tuned in live on RAI Play to watch the announcement of the 9 “Big Artists” who would automatically progress to the National Final, a major twist was revealed. Instead of revealing the 9 artists, the announcement covered all 20 participants, completely overshadowing the semifinals, which were still in the process of being pre-recorded. This development caused strong reactions, not only from Eurovision fans following the contest closely but also from the artists who had entered a demanding process, only to see their efforts dismissed in such a way in a not-so-polite announcement.
Let’s Get Down To Business!
Tonight’s Grand Final will take place at Teatro Nuovo Dogana, where a particularly modern stage has been set up to meet the needs of even the most demanding viewers.
20 Finalists!
- Angy Sciacqua – “I”
- Besa – “Tiki”
- Bianca Atzei – “Testacoda”
- Boosta – “BTW”
- CuRLi – “Juliet”
- Elasi – “Lorella”
- Gabry Ponte – “Tutta l’Italia”
- Giacomo Voli – “Ave Maria”
- Haymara – “Tómame las manos”
- King Foo – “The Edge of the World”
- Luisa Corna – “Il giorno giusto”
- Marco Carta – “Solo fantasia”
- Paco – “Until the End”
- Pierdavide Carone – “Ma vuoi sposare?”
- Questo e Quello – “Bella Balla”
- Silvia Salemi – “Coralli”
- Taoma – “NPC”
- Teslenko – “Storm”
- The Rumpled – “You Get Me So High”
- Vincenzo Capua – “Sei sempre tu”
Among the 20 finalists competing for the coveted golden ticket to Basel, several notable figures from the music world stand out.
- BESA, who represented Albania at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest with her dynamic song “TITAN”, is returning with another impressive entry.
- Also on the list is TESLENKO, who initially showed interest in the Vidbir 2025, but ultimately withdrew from the competition.
- Gabry Ponte, whose song “Tutta l’Italia” became the soundtrack of this year’s Sanremo, creating a real frenzy among Eurovision fans worldwide.
- Furthermore, the San Marino Song Contest 2025 welcomes Marco Carta, who won the Sanremo Festival in 2009, adding another significant artist to this year’s lineup.
These entries promise an impressive and emotionally charged musical battle, with an international flavor and performances from well-known and respected artists.
Angy Sciacqua – “I”
Besa – “Tiki”
Bianca Atzei – “Testacoda”
Bianca Atzei’s song has not been released yet on music platforms and we will hear it for the first time tonight!
Boosta – “BTW”
Boosta’s song has not been released yet on music platforms and we will hear it for the first time tonight!
CuRLi – “Juliet”
Elasi – “Lorella”
Gabry Ponte – “Tutta l’Italia”
Giacomo Voli – “Ave Maria”
Haymara – “Tómame las manos”
King Foo – “The Edge of the World”
Luisa Corna – “Il giorno giusto”
Marco Carta – “Solo fantasia”
Marco Carta’s song has not been released yet on music platforms and we will hear it for the first time tonight!
Paco – “Until the End”
Pierdavide Carone – “Ma vuoi sposare?”
Questo e Quello – “Bella Balla”
Silvia Salemi – “Coralli”
Silvia Salemi’s song has not been released yet on music platforms and we will hear it for the first time tonight!
Taoma – “NPC”
Teslenko – “Storm”
The Rumpled – “You Get Me So High”
Vincenzo Capua – “Sei sempre tu”
Hosts & Interval Acts!
The hosts of the San Marino Song Contest 2025 will be Flora Canto and Francesco Facchinetti, two highly respected and experienced television personalities from Italy.
Flora Canto, known for her charm and dynamic presence, has hosted many popular shows on Italian television and radio. She is also a recognized actress and presenter with a great career in both the small and big screen. Her energy and direct connection with the audience have established her as one of the most beloved figures in the Italian television landscape.
On the other hand, Francesco Facchinetti is one of the most recognizable figures in Italian entertainment. Francesco has made a name for himself not only as a presenter but also as a musician and actor. With a variety of shows on both television and radio, he has won the hearts of audiences with his boundless energy and humor. His experience in major TV productions and hosting important music events makes him ideal for the role of host.
At the San Marino Song Contest 2025, in addition to the exciting performances of the 20 artists we introduced above, the audience will enjoy great guest performances as well.
The evening’s main guest will be Al Bano Carrisi, who will perform two songs and receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minister of Tourism, Federico Pedini Amati.
Additionally, La Rappresentante di Lista and Senhit will take part, adding another special touch to the artistic program.
How will the result of the San Marino Song Contest be determined?
The final result will be determined 100% by the jury’s score.
We remind you that San Marino selects its Eurovision representative exclusively through a jury rather than a televote mainly due to its small population and the logistical challenges of public voting. With only around 33,000 residents, a televote would have very few participants, making it vulnerable to manipulation by organized fan groups or external influences. Additionally, setting up a televoting system requires cooperation with telecommunication providers and financial resources that may not be viable for such a small country. Using a jury ensures a more professional and objective selection, especially since the national competition often includes international artists whose popularity may not be reflected in a local vote. This way, San Marino maintains greater control over the process, choosing an artist with the best chances of success at Eurovision.
The five-member jury responsible for selecting the winner of the San Marino Song Contest is:
- Luca De Gennaro (DJ) (Chairman of the Jury)
- Roberto Sergio (Director of SMRTV)
- Federica Gentile (TV and radio presenter)
- Ema Stokholma (TV and radio presenter)
- Mario Andrea Ettore (Marketing Director at SIAE, the Italian Society of Authors and Publishers)
It should be noted that the artistic director of the contest, Massimo Bonelli, will also have the opportunity to award 10 points to a song of his choice, thus influencing the final result.
As for the awards, the Critics’ Award, San Marino RTV Ludovico Di Meo Award, and Una Voce per San Marino Award will also be presented, recognizing the outstanding musical performance and artistic excellence of the participants.
⇒ YOU CAN WATCH THE FINAL TONIGHT 8/3 AT 20:30 CET HERE
Stay tuned to OGAE Greece for detailed updates!
San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest…
- Participating broadcaster: SMRTV
- Participations: 14 (3 finals)
- Debut: 2008
- Highest placement: 19th (2019)
- Lowest placement: 19th in the Semi Final (2008)
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube to find out what’s happening in the world of Eurovision!
