Back in January, San Marino announced that Turkish singer Serhat would be their representative for Stockholm. We’ve heard little from the microstate since then (apart from their complaints about the voting changes) but now we have a date. Serhat will reveal his song in just over one week, on March 9.
Serhat will announce his song on Wednesday of next week at a special press conference in Paris, at 15:00 CET.
San Marino is emphasising the international team behind the entry. The song was composed by Turkish musician Olcayto Ahmet Tugsuz (he wrote Turkey’s Eurovision entries in 1982 and 1987), with the lyrics by Greek songwriter Nektarios Tyrakis (the man behind Greece’s third-placed “Shake It” in 2004 and Belarus’ 2004 entry).
As well as an English version for Eurovision, the song will also have an Italian version written by Mariella Nava and French lyrics by Stéphane Laporte, with other languages planned.
But most unexpectedly, French fashion designer Thierry Mugler is serving as the creative director of Serhat’s entry. He is overseeing the concept of the entry. In the past, we’ve seen Eurovision stars wearing creations from top fashion designers, but this is the first time one has become actively involved with the staging.
This makes a change from San Marino’s previous Eurovision entries. From 2012 to 2015, the microstates entries were overseen — and sometimes written — by the German Eurovision veteran Ralph Siegel. The best result San Marino earned in this period was in 2014, where Valentina Monetta became the first San Marino artist to qualify for the final, where she placed 24th.
Several big countries has sent singers from other countries etc etc…. but when small San Marino sends just that,, then it is a shame and “rolleyes”.. I mean Greece sent a Swedish singer in 2005 and won. In 1988 Celine represented Switzerland and won… Armenia sent singers from many different countries last year.’
People here are ridiculous with their big reactions to his selectio…
Perhaps what the EBU are up to with the new rules relates to cheating and reducing the temptation? It seems to me that if the EBU are going to discard any jury votes because of irregularities, then every country must have a televote to announce instead. Hence San Marino now has a “televote”.
I am looking forward to San Marino’s entry this year – a Turkish singer, a Turkish writer and a French fashion designer – I can’t wait, I hope it’s going to be amazing….
Lol, everyone is courting the French vote in that first semi. Austria sings in French, Cyprus participates in The Voice France, and San Marino works with a French designer.
San Marino is rather cleverly courting the Turkish vote as well, which could just push them to the final as televoting has become more important again.
Even if he collaborates with top fashion designer Thierry Mugler, we know that he is still very weak, and for me, Serhat is very unqualified to represent his country, like Douwe Bob, Justs, Barei, and Iveta Mukuchyan. They are all unfit to showcase Europe. We will never trust them and we will never vote for them.
I applaud San Marino for thinking out of the box and challenging the conventional wisdom because just like Australia’s participation would have been a taboo up until just over a year ago, here comes San Marino and provides a rather convenient hub for performers who can pay the bill and bring out the big guns. This could be the beginning of San Marino turning into this ‘Rest of The World’ entity, but a lot depends on how Serhat does this year, especially with the new voting system that clearly puts San Marino at an impossible situation. I really hope this… Read more »
I think its admirable that San Marino tries as hard as they do considering they are the only micro state left. Why aren’t re trying to include all of Europe not just Sweden and friends. This a Song contest about Europe not Sweden. I think its great that San Marino went for a Turkish option as opposed to a Swedish one. There are other types of music the the cookie cutter sound that Sweden sends to Eurovision.
San Marino has had my favorite ESC song for 3 years in a row. I have no idea what to expect with Serhat. I was not optimistic when I heard his latest single, so I’m glad that he is getting some help with the song.
Let’s see he can make it 4 in a row for me.
Welp. Considering that they will possibly withdraw next year due to the “Melodifestivalen-style” voting, they’re giving it all this year.
If they’re gonna go down, they’re gonna go down with a bang.
Hey if San Marino wins this year, does that mean we can all come to Valentina Monetta’s house for next year’s contest? :p
My point: Don’t slate the entry yet. In a weaker ESC year, it could do very well. x
Why are people so worked up that a country with only 30,000 people and essentially 5 singers has chosen a singer from another country.
Anyway since people miss Turkey in the competition then this is the next best option.
I hope it has that Mediterranean energy that’s been lacking in the competition since 2012.
There goes another country outsourcing employment!
lol, joking of course.
Yeah, I really wonder where this is going… this entry could be really good, or really bad (or somewhere in between, like most of the entries this year).
my mistake in typing not strange , stranger
San Marino try something like Luxembourg in past. To have strange singers and strange composer of their song.
At junior Eurovison we have singer from Russia maybe she have rich parents, now we have at adult eurovision turkish singer.
We knew how finished turkish entry in 1982 ecpecially in 1987 when they had famouse 0 point in contest with 22 countries record for countries for 1987.
@davve
Wow how could you not know that Elena Paparizou is Greek, her parents migrated from Greece to Sweden. In fact, I am from a neighboring village of hers 🙂
Anyways, San Marino is very lucky Azerbaijan is in their semi, and without Siegel involved, they may surprise us like they did in JESC last year.
At least the performance may look better this year.
Is there something sanmarinese in this entry?? Anyway, San marino will have a difficult time trying to make it to the final even if the performance is good as the 1st semi seems to be stronger.
I dont know why people makes such a big thing about Serhat represent san Marino. I mean Elena Paparizou is Swedish and represented and won for Greece in 2005, azerbaijan won with a swedish song, swedish backing singers and a total swedish production except for the singers themselves… Celine won in 1988 for switzerland.. and so on so on…
Its not the first time and wont be the last..
It makes so much sense that this guy represents San Marino!…… :rolleyes: