It will be Violamarie representing San Marino at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2026, scheduled for 24 October in Malta. This morning, the State Secretary for Tourism, Federico Pedini Amati, officially presented the young singer with the white-and-blue flag of the Republic, which she will carry on stage at the 24th edition of the international music competition for young artists.
The ceremony marks the start of the final phase of preparations for the event, organized by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). San Marino returns to the competition after finishing ninth in 2025 — the Republic’s best-ever result in the contest. This year’s participation is once again supported by San Marino RTV, in collaboration with the State Secretariat for Tourism and Media Evolution.
Violamarie will perform “Ruota Panoramica” (“Ferris Wheel”), a song sung in Italian and English that explores themes of freedom, lightheartedness and courage. The lyrics compare the heart to a pinwheel and describe how fears can seem smaller and more manageable when viewed from the top of a Ferris wheel.
Participation in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest is part of the Republic’s broader strategy to promote itself internationally through music and major television events — a point emphasized by State Secretary Federico Pedini Amati, who highlighted the visibility the competition can offer San Marino.
“On few occasions does the name San Marino, and our flag, manage to reach so many homes and so many parts of the world as happens with Eurovision. We have experienced this in previous editions, and today we know it is no longer a gamble, but a concrete opportunity for international visibility for the country,” said Pedini Amati.
The State Secretariat for Tourism views participation in the contest as part of a wider strategy to strengthen awareness of the Republic abroad, showcasing young talent and leveraging the event’s television reach to promote the country’s image.
Also speaking at the meeting was Denny Montesi, head of delegation and administrator of Media Evolution, who outlined the objectives behind San Marino’s participation and the reasons for choosing Violamarie.
“We were looking for a young artist who was recognizable and had strong international potential,” explained Montesi. “After last year’s excellent result, we want to arrive in Malta with an ambitious, competitive and international project.”
