San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011

Background

Main article: San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest

Prior to the 2011 contest, San Marino had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest once, when it debuted at the 2008 contest. Radiotelevisione della Repubblica di San Marino (SMRTV) had first announced the nation's debut in late November 2007. For their first appearance, SMRTV hosted an internal selection process, choosing the band Miodio with the song "Complice". At the contest, San Marino finished last with five points in the first semi-final, failing to qualify for the final. San Marino did not return to the 2009 or 2010 contests, citing financial difficulties. On 10 December 2010, it was announced that the nation was on the provisional list of countries seeking to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf, Germany. On 22 December, San Marino's Head of Delegation Alessandro Capicchioni confirmed the country's intent to take part, marking their return to the contest after a two-year absence.

Before Eurovision

Internal selection

A special presentation programme to reveal Senit's song was held on 11 March 2011 at the broadcaster's studio, hosted by Emanuela Rossi and broadcast on SMRTV as well as online via the official Eurovision Song Contest website eurovision.tv. At the programme, "Stand By" was presented as the song to represent San Marino in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011. The song was written and composed by Radiosa Romani with production by German music producer Christian Lohr. In regards to the song, Senit stated that she opted to perform in English as it would be better suited for an international audience, while also letting them differentiate themselves from Italy who would be performing in Italian.

Promotion

To promote the entry, a music video for "Stand By" was filmed in London and San Marino and released as part of the song's presentation on 11 March 2011. A promotional tour saw Senit performing in nearly 40 countries including Albania, Malta, Greece, Turkey, Georgia and the United Kingdom. On 9 April, Senit was one of several participants of 2011 who participated in the third annual Eurovision in Concert series, an event held at Club Air in Amsterdam, Netherlands staged to serve as a preview party for the year's entries. She and her backing vocalists were interviewed by website ESCToday on 2 May 2011 after their first technical rehearsal, speaking about their experiences performing the song and what viewers could expect for their final performance. In the lead up to the contest, the delegation hosted a Eurovision-themed party on 8 May, where Senit performed the song live. Invitations to the event were also extended to contestants from other countries competing that year, encouraging them to perform as well.

At Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest 2011 took place at the Düsseldorf Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany. It consisted of two semi-finals held on 10 and 12 May, respectively, and the final on 14 May 2011. According to the Eurovision rules, all participating countries, except the host nation and the "Big Five", consisting of , , , and the , were required to qualify from one of the two semi-finals to compete for the final; the top 10 countries from the respective semi-finals would proceed to the final.

On 17 January 2011, an allocation draw was held that placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, with San Marino being placed into the first semi-final, to be held on 10 May. Once all the competing songs for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 had been released, the running order for the semi-finals was decided by another draw, which was held on 15 March in Düsseldorf. The nation was assigned to perform at position 12, following and preceding . Lia Fiorio and Gigi Restivo served as commentators for the television and radio broadcasts, which were also streamed online.

Senit competed 12th in the first semi-final of the contest on 10 May 2011. Flanked by two guitar players and three backing vocalists, she appeared on stage wearing a tight fitting dress designed by British designer Elizabeth Emanuel, who had also designed Princess Diana's wedding dress. In a press release, SMRTV described the stage presence as a club-like atmosphere featuring smoke fountains and spotlights surrounded by black LED screens. Susan Duncan Smith served as Senit's production manager, while the performance's choreography was created by Shaun Fernandes, who had previously contributed to the contest for the UK's , and entries. Fernandes also served as stage director, managing camera angles and the overall positioning of the ensemble on the stage.

Voting

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to San Marino in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011, as well as by the country in the semi-final and final, respectively. In the first semi-final, San Marino came 16th with 34 points; the nation was awarded 19th place with 8 points by the public and awarded 8th place with 74 points by the jury. Nicola Della Valle, a group member of San Marino's 2008 entrants Miodio, was the Sammarinese spokesperson announcing the country's voting results.

Points awarded to San Marino

Points awarded by San Marino

References

References

1. Hondal, Víctor. (2007-11-21). "Exclusive: San Marino in Belgrade confirmed". ESCToday.
2. (11 March 2008). "Eurofestival, saranno i Miodio a rappresentare San Marino a Belgrado". [[San Marino RTV]] (SMRTV).
3. "Results of the First Semi-Final of Belgrade 2008". [[European Broadcasting Union]] (EBU).
4. Viniker, Barry. (2008-12-18). "San Marino leaves Eurovision Song Contest". ESCToday.
5. Floras, Stella. (2009-12-15). "No San Marino either for Eurovision 2010". ESCToday.
6. Jiandani, Sanjay. (10 December 2010). "San Marino applies for Eurovision 2011". ESCToday.
7. Hondal, Victor. (2010-12-22). "San Marino will participate in Düsseldorf 2011". ESCToday.
8. Jiandani, Sanjay. (3 February 2011). "San Marino: Senit officially confirmed by SMRTV". ESCToday.
9. (17 March 2011). "Senit representará a San Marino en Eurovisión". [[RTVE.
10. "San Marino 2011".
11. (11 March 2011). "Senit to sing "Stand By" - watch the video here!". European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
12. Hondal, Victor. (11 March 2011). "San Marino: Senit to sing Stand by in Eurovision 2011". ESCToday.
13. (19 May 2020). "Senhit mit ganz neuem Stil für San Marino zum ESC 2021". [[Norddeutscher Rundfunk]] (NDR).
14. Lombardini, Emanuele. (4 February 2011). "Esclusivo, parla Senit: Disco e tour internazionale per l'Eurofestival. Voglio portare San Marino in finale". Eurofestival News.
15. (2 May 2011). "San Marino: Spotlights on for Senit!". European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
16. (2 May 2011). "San Marino 2011: Interview with Senit". ESCToday via [[YouTube]].
17. Juniper, Steven. (14 March 2011). "Eurovision in Concert on 9th April in Amsterdam". Eurovisionary.
18. Lombardini, Emanuele. (19 March 2011). "Anche Senit e i Blue all'Eurovision Concert di Amsterdam". Eurofestival News.
19. Davies, Russell. (30 April 2011). "San Marino: Special party for Senit in Dusseldorf". ESCToday.
20. "Eurovision Song Contest–Düsseldorf 2011". European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
21. (10-14 May 2011). "Eurovision Song Contest 2011". European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
22. (17 January 2011). "Results of the Semi-Final Allocation Draw". European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
23. (15 March 2011). "Results of the Running Order Draw!". European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
24. Adams, William Lee. (15 March 2011). "Eurovision 2011: Results of the Running Order Draw". [[Wiwibloggs]].
25. (12 September 2016). "Eurovision Song Contest 2011". Eurofestival News.
26. Pelliccioni, Silvia. (10 May 2011). "Eurovision Song Contest, prima semifinale: dita incrociate per Senit". San Marino RTV (SMRTV).
27. Pelliccioni, Silvia. (2 May 2011). "Eurofestival 2011: Senit alle prese con la prima prova sul palco dell'Esprit Arena". San Marino RTV (SMRTV).
28. (19 April 2011). "San Marino: per Senit la stilista di Lady D e le coreografie da…podio". Eurofestival News.
29. "Second Semi-Final of Düsseldorf 2011". European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
30. Bakker, Sietse. (26 May 2011). "EBU reveals split televoting and jury results". European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
31. . (28 March 2013). ["SM TV San Marino: confermatbei i conduttori per l'Eurovision 2013"](https://www.eurofestivalnews.com/2013/03/27/sm-tv-san-marino-confermati-i-conduttori-per-leurovision-2013/). *Eurofestival News*.
32. "Results of the First Semi-Final of Düsseldorf 2011". European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
33. "Results of the Grand Final of Düsseldorf 2011". European Broadcasting Union (EBU).