San Marino isn’t playing small anymore — and it’s starting to sound serious about Eurovision

San Marino has spent years being treated like Eurovision’s curiosity. Small country, limited resources, big dreams. Sometimes charming. Sometimes frustrating.

Now, it sounds like they’re done with that role.

Speaking about the broadcaster’s plans, San Marino RTV has confirmed that the creative setup for the next Eurovision cycle is staying exactly where it is. Massimo Bonelli remains artistic director. Marco Calzavara is once again in charge of the stage design. The idea, according to the broadcaster, is impact. Not gimmicks. Impact.

For a country that has often had to do more with less, continuity matters. Changing everything every year clearly wasn’t the answer.

A quieter but firmer message to the EBU

What stands out, though, isn’t just the creative side. It’s the tone.

San Marino RTV has confirmed that a new round of talks has opened with the European Broadcasting Union. Not dramatic. Not confrontational. But firm enough to be noticed.

The message is simple: San Marino expects to be treated as a sovereign state, on equal footing with every other broadcaster taking part in Eurovision. No special favours. No side-door participation. Just equal respect.

It’s not a complaint. It’s a statement. And it’s one that feels overdue.

Junior Eurovision changed the mood

Part of this renewed confidence clearly comes from Junior Eurovision.

San Marino’s recent participation, with Martina CRV, delivered something the country hadn’t experienced before: a left-hand side result. Ninth place overall. Third with the public vote.

For a delegation that has spent years struggling to be seen, that matters more than the raw number. It changes how you walk into the next meeting. It changes what you dare to suggest.

And yes, they’re suggesting something big.

Following France’s decision to step back, San Marino has openly said it is considering a bid to host Junior Eurovision 2026. A microstate hosting a pan-European TV event sounds wild on paper. But momentum does strange things.

Thinking long-term, not viral

According to head of delegation Denny Montesi, this isn’t about chasing a headline or a one-off miracle result. The idea is to build a path. Slowly. Over several years.

Better planning. Clearer creative identity. Less improvisation. More confidence in their own place within the contest.

San Marino may never be a Eurovision powerhouse. But that’s not the point. The point is no longer turning up as the afterthought.

For the first time in a while, San Marino doesn’t sound hopeful.

It sounds intentional.

Source: Rtv San Marino