The Peppermints have grown up and split up, Kamila Ismailova has returned to Russia …and San Marino has finally and officially withdrawn from Junior Eurovision.

In a statement issued by SMRTV earlier today, the network’s Director General Carlo Romeo revealed the decision, and wished Malta’s state broadcaster “the best outcome for this important event.” He added that the country has not yet decided about its participation in Eurovision 2017.

The tiny nation within Italy’s borders debuted at JESC in 2013. That year they selected Italian Michele Perniola with his MJ-inspired ditty “O-o-O Sole Intorno A Me”, which became a fan favourite during the contest. Michele finished in tenth place and became the first San Marinese act at Eurovision or Junior Eurovision to reach the top 10.

One year later SMRTV brought San Marinese-Italian girl band madness to Malta, as they sent the oh so sweet Peppermints with “Breaking My Heart”. The group achieved fifteenth place and mastered the individual cross-stage strut.

San Marino decided shortly afterwards to send its former JESC participants Michele Perniola and Anita Simoncini to the Eurovision Song Contest 2015.

Their heavily criticized “Chain of Lights” finished second-to-last in the second semi final. But hey: At least they beat Switzerland’s Mélanie René.

Given the shortage of children in San Marino, the country has always had to search for singers from outside its borders. They did it again in 2015 with Russian teen Kamilla Ismailova. On stage the Russian girl was wrapped in a gigantic foil dress with thousands of mirror shards on it — the result of some expensive styling paid for by her very wealthy family.

Kamilla ended fourteenth…but received 12 points from Ukraine.

Interview: Kamilla Ismailova at Junior Eurovision 2015

In recent months San Marino has expressed its anger over changes in the voting system at Eurovision, saying it amounted to discrimination against smaller countries. Perhaps they weren’t keen on the new Junior Eurovision voting system either.

What are you feelings about San Marino withdrawing from Junior Eurovision? Let us know in the comments below!

Read more San Marino news

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Charles
Charles
7 years ago

… and leaving Eurovision? Wouldn’t that be coherent too? Or do we have to endure another Siegel attempt of a song that nobody cares about?

beccaboo1212
7 years ago

@Darren

There should be no need for JESC to shut down after this year. Who knows? San Marino might return next year! 🙂

fikri
fikri
7 years ago

let’s be real– who cares about san marino?

Cathal
Cathal
7 years ago

Good riddance to be honest, have really started to dislike SM the last 2 years.

(J)ESC Fanatic
(J)ESC Fanatic
7 years ago

“But hey: At least they beat Switzerland’s Mélanie René.”

I still remember that! Unacceptable! Shame, shame, shame…

Zach
Zach
7 years ago

TVP didn’t make an official announcement about returning to JESC…..

Uroš
Uroš
7 years ago

The second S country withdrawed. First Slovenia, now San Marino, I hope that Serbia will stay

Darren
Darren
7 years ago

Well, it’s always sad to see a country withdraw but we also got Poland back today too, so every cloud as they say. I’m hoping France, Spain, Sweden and Belgium announce participation and that Germany debut. JESC needs more Western European countries to participate. Sadly though, I think JESC is in demise, the 2016 edition might end up being the last, or second last. I think the problem lies with the EBU. They want to expand viewership more and more each year, so they make radical changes each year that chips away more and more at the spirit of the… Read more »

YoungsterJoey
YoungsterJoey
7 years ago

The public voting issue is not a problem for San Marino. They always used juries and it wouldnt affect them this upcoming JESC now that it’s purely juries.

SM left likely due to costs.

Jocelyn
7 years ago

Can’t say I didn’t see this one coming. This year’s Junior Eurovision is going to suffer a lot (I’m still not over the abolishment of the televote). At least Poland’s back!

Mar
Mar
7 years ago

She may not have done great at JESC, but I love how Kamilla’s dress inspired the Loewe 2016 Spring Runway, all those mirrors can’t be a coincidence.

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
7 years ago

Poland has confirmed a return at Eurovoix!!!

Lanti
7 years ago

Apparently there wasn’t enough drama after Kath and Vlad getting fired, the show getting moved to Sunday, Jon Ola Sand becoming executive director, and the televote getting abolished.

Zach
Zach
7 years ago

There will be more withdrawals because Junior Eurovision slowly becomes Junior Maltavision