For months they’ve made us listen to the sound of silence, but now it’s time for San Marino to speak up and reveal their plans for the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest 2017.
The little Republic nestled in the heart of Europe made headlines weeks ago when two Italian singers — Tony Maiello and Arisa — revealed that San Marino had asked them to represent the small nation upon payment of an amount between €300,000 and €500,000, stirring unwanted attention at the country’s state broadcaster, which immediately denied the allegations.
On March 7, San Marino RTV’s general manager Carlo Romeo spoke to Italian Eurovision source Eurofestival News about the matter: “It was a very complex year from this point of view”.
But they must now look to the future and to those wondering aloud what the tiny state is up to.
“In the end I think we chose the best solution with a non-EU artist and one coming from the EU who, I am sure, will come as a surprise. The announcement will be during the week”.
Eurofans are already dreaming of a duet between sizzling icons Serhat and Valentina Monetta! In just a few days our curiosity will come to an end…
San Marino’s televote
The interview also gave Romeo the chance to explain what has been decided about the alternative proposal for the televote, sent by San Marino RTV to the EBU.
As you may remember, in 2016 the EBU launched a new voting system — where both the jury vote and televote are counted separately. But owing to San Marino’s small population, its televote isn’t actually its televote.
As the EBU explained, for San Marino the “substitute result is calculated by the audience result of a pre-selected group of countries”.
Carlo Romeo promptly criticised that decision, and on February 2016 made a statement deeming the new system unacceptable.
On November 2016, San Marino RTV proposed a new method to calculate the Sanmarinese televote.
The proposal provides for the creation of a statistically representative sample of viewers of an X number of people living in San Marino. These ‘jurors’ need to watch two of the three Eurovision shows and vote online in the same time granted to other European viewers.
What response has come from the EBU? Carlo sounds dejected and angry when responding, suggesting that San Marino could say Arrivederci to the competition after Kyiv.
“No one talked to us and we’re disappointed. They didn’t have the good taste and the education to reply on the matter with an e-mail. And yet, it absolutely is a sensible proposal that would put an end to a kind of stupid and vicious discrimination against San Marino. To double the annual fee for small states, however, they did have all the attention and even our colleagues of the Italian subsidiary [It seems that he references the Italian delegation, Ed.] following this sector didn’t say anything or consult us about this decision taken without our considerations. Sorry to see that small states are considered at this low level by EBU. We’ll see after the Eurovision what to do”.
Who do you think will represent San Marino? Shout out on the wiwibloggs app, or leave a comment in the comments section below!
The lovely Valentina has just set up her official Instagram account in the last few days. Coincidence?
@Purple Mask: If you’re thinking what I think you’re thinking (with regard to scenario #2), I’m way ahead of you. We might have to wait until Monday afternoon.
Well the week is over now, and this announcement didn’t happen. Hmmm. :/
Chiara from Malta finished 23rd in her 3rd appearance at Eurovision (2009). I think San Marino should consider a recent Maltese national contender, starting with Janice Mangion, who brought tears to the eyes of many in the audience at MESC, yet wound up 2nd to the more well-known Claudia Faniello.
@Sandro: which Chiara? The Italian one or the three-time Maltese representative? Either way, both Mika and Chiara are technically still EU (well, until we leave it, anyway).
PS: Please DON’T let Serhat anywhere near Eurovision ever again! His song was rubbish (and, in fact, still is)!
I’ve heard it’s going to be Mika and Chiara
If you talk about Siegel, remember that in Moldova was a duet with a german girl and moldovian boy, and Siegel was writer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w082LqRd5SQ
Vladimir P.: That is quite a possibility. They did say that one of their choices is someone not in an EU-affiliated country. There have long been rumors about China being invited to Eurovision; so, it wouldn’t be too much of a surprise if San Marino invited someone from the Far East to sing for them. Would they try for someone from South America, the islands in the Pacific or Caribbean, or Africa?
It would be interesting to see a Japanese or Korean singer under the San Marino flag in Eurovision. For example, Korean bands Paradise or Beast, or Japanese singer Daichi Miura.
@(J)ESC Fanatic: LOOOL Salads or ballads? They will always be regarded as boring …
I honestly expected a headline like “San Marino pulls out of Eurovision 2017”, I’m surprised they’re taking part. Might be their last year, though. Seems like the EBU has a Lisa Ajax attitude towards San Marino…
Also: Please let it not be Serhat.
Deban and William are going to be San Marino’s representatives. We just need to crowdfund their participation in Kyiv. 😀
Now, aside from the possibility that they might poach a recent loser from elsewhere, Annalisa is an excellent possibility, and I think she could get them back into the final.
@(J)ESC Fanatic: Which Emma? The one who crashed and burned at UMK and ended up 3rd? Would San Marino play truth-or-dare this time, and poach a national contest reject?
@Charles
Salads? LOL!
I have followed Valentina Monetta on her for-fans Facebook wall since before Crisalide and she is totally 100% not interested in Eurovision at this point. She moved on. People who want Serhat back for San Marino – why??? The ONLY thing that saved that song from being the WORST thing ever in Eurovision is that it swapped to a cheesy disco version that made more fun of itself than promoted itself as a serious song. Either way it stood no chance for a final – thus it was a waste of time to enter it regardless. Please, let’s hope for… Read more »
Annalisa and Valentina! That would be the most amazing thing ever!
Two artists?? William and Deban of course!! Please, San Marino.. 😀
You could be in the Top-5 with them!! No doubt! 😉
Does anybody care about San Marino? Honestly! They haven’t exactly gifted us with their presence..
They probably offer us yet another Sielgel composition that would be best left untouched.
Poor San Marino. I think they should withdraw if that is the horrible way the EBU is treating them.
@Tomas Patrick Davitt: Because in your mind … all salads are boring …. so let’s stick to our ABC songs that we loved when were 7 years old … although we’re in our 20s and 30s and 40s … but yeah … let’s go back to be 7 again …
Are they inviting another Adam Russo-look-a-like to sing disco music like the late Leonard Cohen .. or another diva-wannabe to sing another “I Will Survive” ballad/disco? So much originality and credibility here … it’s emotional … you just can’t handle the amount of emotions pouring out of such precious original and creative musical choices …
I’m curious who they found to pay their bills for them. Another Ralph Siegel production maybe?
Czech Rep’s song is out! Its a boring ballad. Another one – yay!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlwKm-_jvQk
Martina just released her entry.
Serhat and Annalisa. Make it happen.
The Czech song is out by the way.
I am surprised that they are even bothering this year, to be honest.
Having said that, they do have a very good draw in SF2.
Is it a duet, or 2 different artists and they will decide on one?
Valentina Monetta and…who else?
Daddy Serhat is from outside of the EU… so… the legend might be back?!
LOREEN LOREEN LOREEN ; – ;
I’m actually excited!! Good luck San Marino. I’m guessing there’ll be at least oke returning artist. So:
Miodio- Band. Not happening.
Senit- Italian. EU!
Valentina- Sammrinese. Non-EU!
Michele- Italian. EU!
Anita- Sammrinese. Non-EU!
Serhat- Turkish. Non-EU!
It’s not a Valetina-Serhat duet, JD said.
I really hope it’s not Michele and Anita again. Anita would be bearable as the smaller role in the duet, but Michele is just ‘no’. Pun intended.
C’mon Valentina!!!!!!
BQL is a duo!! 😀
Why can’t they do a desmoscopic poll for televote ala Sanremo??That would be a good solution I feel.
Please, not Michele and Anita again! It’ll be a sure flop
Its duo Jesc fanatic. Your solo female obsession wont come true again.
I still hope for Emma. Just kidding, it’s not going to happen…
San Marino isn’t part of the EU, sorry to crush your dreams.
Probably going to be Michele and Anita again
Send a jazz song San Marino !
I think Valentina will return or I hope so. And I hope the song is actually decent this time! Perhaps San Marino will surprise and actually be a dark horse in the competition.
If the serhat & valentina thing happens i will cry with happiness
That Valentina Monetta and Serhat duo is happening omg
I feel bad for San Marino in the voting saga ! They should have 2 juries one of music people and one of randomly selected public jury for the televote ! I don’t like that other counties and having there votes counted in this small nation ! Where is the respect for sovereignty to this beautiful nation ! Plus I’m looking forward to the song on hoping for a good one that will qualify and be on the left hand side !