Today, 3 September, is San Marino's Foundation Day, a day where Sammarinese celebrate their foundation as an independent state from Italy.
San Marino, officially known as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino, is one of the world's oldest republics and smallest countries. Located in the Apennine Mountains, it is surrounded entirely by Italy. San Marino claims its founding date as 3 September 301 AD.
Today, San Marino is known for its stable government system, strong tourism industry and a high standard of living. Despite its small size and population (roughly 35,000 people), San Marino maintains a unique identity which has a long history of independence and self-governance.
In regards to San Marino competing at the Eurovision Song Contest, they made their debut in 2008 with the group Miodi, and their song Complice. They have competed on 14 occasions and qualified for the Grand Final three times. Their best result to date, is Serhat's Say Na Na Na, which finished in 19th place in 2019.
To celebrate San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest, we have asked our contributors, what their favourite Sammarinese entry.
Let's take a look!
Piqued Jacks - Like An Animal (2023)
"My favourite entry ever is actually 2023, Piqued Jacks. It was absolutely slaughtered by the public but was in my Top 5! I love Andrea's voice and it's such a catchy tune. Plus - those zany Eurovision lyrics, "Bring the party Aphrodite" and "smell you like an animal" it's pure chef's kids mwah!" ~Melanie
Achille Lauro - Stripper (2022)
"My favourite Sammarinese song has got to be Achille Lauro’s 2022 entry: who doesn’t want to see a Sanremo alumnus perform glam rock and then ride a Bucking Bronco?!" ~Steven
"I remember when this first came out and being a bit underwhelmed by it (particularly in light of Achille Lauro's reputation as a big star in Italy. However, once we got to Turin, it was clear why people were excited about this act - Stripper was three minutes of sensory overload, with moment just made for television and selling Lauro's brand across the European continent. Was it perhaps too much for Europe's tv audience? Well, apparently, because he didn't qualify. But I'll always have a soft spot for anyone who takes a big swing, and this is as about as big a swing as it gets!" ~Craig
"There is nothing I love more than a big name Italian artist randomly rocking up to the Sammarinese national final at the last minute and simply being ICONIC. Lauro went from Sanremo one week to glitzy bucking bull cowboy the next - he was absolutely robbed to not make the Eurovision Grand Final with that unfortunate performance (I mean that with love)." ~Liv
"Stripper is by far, leaps and bounds, my favourite entry from San Marino. The song is infectious on its own but that staging... out of this world! I never knew i needed to see a half-naked italian man riding a velvet mechanical bull but it happened and it was amazing." ~Cooper
Senhit - Adrenalina (2021)
"I remember when this was released - I lost my mind! Such a well-crafted song and that video clip was ah-mazing. I really wish they had been able to recreate it on stage as I did find the staging a little messy. I remember in the lead up to the Contest, everyone was wondering if Flo Rida would appear - and he did! This song was brutally robbed to finish where it did in the Contest. I thought this was a sure top ten. I just adore Senhit - she is pure joy and has charisma in spades. Long live our Freaky Queen!" ~Hayley
"Senhit was criminally snubbed by Europe in 2021 with Adrenalina. It was a banger of a track on its own and she oozed energy - even before Flo Rida added his own bit of fire with a guest rap. It's nice to see she's still continuing her 15 minutes of fame as part of the Eurovision world touring crew." ~Kiel
Serhat - Say Na Na Na (2019)
"My favourite is Serhat's 2019 entry Say Na Na Na. While Serhat's vocals were questionable even in the studio version, this was a half decent dance number that you couldn't help but bop along to. The production sounded expensive and there was even a polished video to match. Serhat had the crowd behind him as he closed out Semi Final 1 and the look on his face when San Marino qualified to the Grand Final for only the second time was priceless. Not surprisingly this quirky number achieved San Marino's best ever Eurovision result and remains a favourite in the fandom today." ~Emma
"This was one of my favourites from 2019 and it has such a catchy tune that it sticks in your head every time I hear it. I hope one day Serhat gets to represent San Marino again at Eurovision." ~Jamie
Jessika featuring Jenifer Brening - Who We Are (2018)
"It's me Jenny B. What you get is what you see." Yes, I voted for this and was really happy when I saw that my fellow Australian televoters gave it 2 points. This is one of my favourite guilty pleasures and I tell you- it's obligatory for any Eurovision party, guaranteed to get the crowd going." ~Fleur
Valentina Monetta - Crisalide (Vola) (2013)
"A magnificent masterpiece by Eurovision queens Valentina Monetta and Ralph Siegel. Valentina transforms this year like a butterfly from her cheesy but equally iconic 2012 entry. Unfortunately, a diabolical running order, dodgy flags and camera work, and mediocre back-up dancers robbed San Marino of a deserved first qualification." ~Sam
"It's Crisalide by Valentina Monetta from 2013, because not only it is more powerful and more uplifting, but it deserved to be in the Grand Final at that time without a doubt." ~John Christian
So there you go, just a handful of San Marino Eurovision songs, but there are many more to choose from!
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