The historic San Remo singing competition has been held longer than the Eurovision Song Contest. The competition has started the careers of many Italian, internationally known music stars, writes ‘s Italian journalist Jenna Vehviläinen.
10.5. 06:10 • Updated May 10th. 07:27
– So which miracle Eurovision songs? asked a Sicilian photographer about a year ago.
I was on a business trip to the city of Palermo in Sicily, and we cut a television story on Saturday in late May. The day was turning into the evening, and I told the photographer that I should soon go back to the hotel to watch the Eurovision finals.
My photographer knew nothing about wisdom. On the other hand, it was obvious to me that the Eurovision final should be watched. Although I have never been a tough visa fan, I have known the competition from an early age and followed it especially in recent years. In Finland, this seems to be part of general education.
The evening ended with a representative of Italy Måneskin won the competitions. I followed the website of the Italian daily La Repubblica, where Eurovision had previously been covered with a small print at the bottom of the page.
About five minutes after the victory, a vignette appeared at the top of the online version of the magazine, stating: “The Italian Måneskin has won the Eurovision Song Contest.”
A message came later from the photographer.
– Now I know what that competition is.
The case was vividly remembered, for it shows the different significance of Eurovision in the different participating countries. For Finland, Eurovision Song Contest is a visible and important event that gathers millions of viewers every year.
In Italy, things are different, although the country was already involved in Eurovision when they were founded in 1956. Before last year, Italy had won the competitions twice, in 1964 on behalf of Gigliola Cinquetti and for the second time in 1990 Toto Cutugnon with Insieme 1992. The song, whose name translates to Finnish Together in 1992, was an ode to a united Europe.
Since then, Italy has long been on the sidelines of the competition. The broadcaster RAI cited the “lack of interest” as the reason. The country returned to visas after a 13-year hiatus in 2011. Italy is one of the major sponsors of the competition, with representatives automatically reaching the finals.
Since returning to the competition, Italy has succeeded. In 2019, the country’s representative Mahmood was second, and last year the rock band Måneskin won with their song Zitti e Buoni.
Then why visas are not just interested in the country?
The main reason is to be found in the music competition in the northern part of the country, near the French border, in the town of San Remo, which has gained an iconic reputation in Italy.
The annual competition has been held since 1951, longer than the Eurovision Song Contest itself. It is said to have been an inspiration for Eurovision.
San Remo has started with many Italian music stars like Laura Pausinin, Eros Ramazzottin and Andrea Bocellin career. Today, the winner of the competition often represents Italy at Eurovision Song Contest, and Måneskin, for example, has risen to world fame since last year’s competition victories.
The interest of the Italians in San Remo could be compared to that of the Finns. While living in the country, hysteria cannot be avoided. Italians of all ages will retreat to their homes in February to watch the race, and the magazines will be full of San Remo alone for a week.
An acquaintance in his thirties said that his group of friends used to form a WhatsApp group every year at the start of the competition to discuss only and only San Remo.
The Eurovision Song Contest will take place this week in Turin, Italy, and today the first semi – final will be competed. The attention gathered by visas in the host country, Italy, is, of course, now bigger than in previous years. Representatives of the country Mahmood and Blanco have appeared a lot in the media in recent days.
The war of aggression launched by Russia in Ukraine will also increase solidarity among visa circles and performers. Representing Ukraine Kalush Orchestra is one of the forerunners, and in recent weeks, for example, the Italian Måneskin has been seen waving the Ukrainian flag in its concerts.
I have heard several Italians even intend to watch the Eurovision finale next Saturday. I wouldn’t have believed it a year ago.
Are you planning to follow Eurovision this week – take part in the debate, open until 11.5 at 23.5.