They’re the microstate that have only reached the Eurovision grand final on one occasion in 2014. But San Marino are now hoping to double that score, after confirming their participation in Eurovision 2019.
Broadcaster SMRTV released a short statement earlier today announcing their intention to participate in next year’s contest in Tel Aviv.
Head of Delegation Alessandro Capicchioni commented, “Considered the peculiarity of the place, Tel Aviv will surely be a special edition. We’ll do our part by doing our best.”
This will be the country’s tenth participation in the contest following their debut in 2008 and subsequent return in 2011.
San Marino won’t return to 1in360
However, the official statement revealed nothing in regards to how San Marino will select its artist and song for Israel.
Last year the microstate underwent an international search for its entry using selection show 1in360. This resulted in Jessika from Malta and Jenifer Brening from Germany representing the country in Lisbon with “Who We Are”. The dynamic duo (and their robots) placed 17th in the second semi-final.
The producers of the talent show recently revealed that they do have plans for a second edition of 1in360. They even suggested that a “much bigger show” was in the works, coming either in 2019 or 2020.
However shortly after San Marino confirmed their participation, the organisers of the talent show made a statement on Twitter. They said that the “the bigger selection show we had in mind will not materialize for Eurovision 2019.”
1in360 signed off their tweet with “Talk to you next year!”, implying that they may now be aiming for a 2020 show.
Unfortunately, the bigger selection show we had in mind won't materialize for Eurovision 2019. But fear not, your favorite country, San Marino, will participate in a different format – we'll leave San Marino RTV to reveal the details. Talk to you next year!
— 1in360 (@1in360talent) November 6, 2018
Prior to 2018, San Marino selected their Eurovision acts internally. Five times they teamed up with the German Eurovision maestro Ralph Siegel, while in 2016 they partnered with the Turkish crooner Serhat.
San Marino is expected to release further details about their selection process for 2019 in the coming months.
How many countries are confirmed for 2019?
With Russia having also confirmed their intention to participate in Eurovision 2019 to fan media at the end of last week, this now brings the total number of confirmed countries to 41.
Moldova is the only 2018 participant remaining that has not as yet revealed if they will also be making the trip to Tel Aviv.
However, we may not have long to wait until we officially find out how many countries will be competing for the trophy in Israel next May. Last year the EBU released the official list of participants on 7th November (with FYR Macedonia later added on 17th), suggesting news could soon be on the way.
Are you happy to see San Marino back at Eurovision? Who would you like to see representing them? What selection method do you think they’ll use? Sound off in the comments below!
So the full participant list is out! And sure enough, Moldova will be competing as well, meaning Bulgaria are the only drop-outs.
I hope they won’t be underrated again. Will be lovely to have San Marino in the finals! ( and Ralph Sieger can probably collaborate with a more modern producer)
Ralph Siegel? NO!! >:-X
His last outing got only ONE POINT in the semis! Time to bury this dinosaur and bring in a new school of songwriters and producers.
Yaaaaaaas, I’m so happy that they’re not withdrawing! 😀
Maybe…
And Bulgaria and Slovakia somehow can’t participate, seems San Marino has better management…
Yes! I love you, you beautiful country, never scare me like that again!
Another country with more funds and better management than Bulgaria!
I hope San Marino can do better this year, they need to be a finalist again. Preferably another song in Italian, we haven’t gotten one since 2013 🙂
On another note, I hope Moldova confirms soon!
Hey, are you the one I dream about?
I hope they send something with a connection to San Marino or the Italian language. I know San Marino is small but the Sammarinese wildcard from 1in360 showed us that there are indeed good Sammarinese artists out there! In the case of San Marino I would not mind an internal selection due to its country size. But please leave Ralph Siegel out! At least send some Italian artist or select a song in Italian if you don’t find a local one. I don’t want a Turkish guy, singing English for a country which has no connection to it. VALENTINA MONETTA’S… Read more »
Serhat seems to be everywhere. I think he’s becoming the earth’s overlord sooner or later.
So long as he’s not collaborating with Siegel, I’d be interested in what he might do next.
Also, can someone with knowledge explain to me how San Marino can pay to participate but not Bulgaria? Do Ralph, Serhat and 360 really foot the entire bill? Is the tv station just the vessel and whoever weasels their way in has to pay?
as far as i know, SMRTV is partially owned by RAI (the italian broadcaster) from wich it gets funds, also SM asks their representatives to pay part of the bill
I like San Marino’s spirit (kind of), I certainly like their flag and I would definitely like them more at Eurovision, if they didn’t work with any of those responsible for that sham selection again. Learn from your blatantly obvious mistakes, goddammit. You’d be better off sending Ralph Valentina Siegel for the gazillionth time (for the record: I actually enjoyed “Crisliade” and “Maybe”, the other two were of course abysmal, so it’s 50/50, not all that bad).
Why is Moldova always silent?
I guess they confirmed months ago but no one noticed? Or maybe no one asked them idk.
No need to worry! They are always among the last ones to confirm their participation + 2 years in a row in the Top 10, I doubt they would be withdrawing
GO SAN MARINO. You need to take revenge for all those years of non-qualification.
I didn’t know ?
I hope we NEVER know! >:-X
I have the same opinion as well! I think they should pick someone Italian, I’m sure a lot of decent Italian singers who can’t win Sanremo would represent San Marino. + yeah Italian is way better than cringy English they usually have
I have a slight feeling Moldova will withdraw. They leave it late…but not this late!
They announced on 8th November last year. There’s still hope!!
I love San Marino, and of course Valentina is a goddess. They always manage to charm me with their entries, for many reasons
1in360 will not be back this year : https://twitter.com/1in360talent/status/1059887308361658373
Stick with the all-comers’ contest, and have 2 rounds. Have 10 contenders sing one week, then another 10 the following week, and pick 5 from each round for the final, and let the people decide.