COUNTING STARS IN SANREMO

The Sanremo Music Festival, with a history spanning over 70 years, remains Italy's premier national event, captivating a quarter of the country's population. Iconic melodies such as Volare, Felicità, L'italiano, Susanna, and many others have graced the stage of this renowned Italian venue. The older generations in Azerbaijan and the former USSR fondly recall the Sanremo Festival as the quintessential foreign music event of the seventies, eighties, and nineties. They eagerly anticipated the broadcast of the competition, the airing of festival songs on various programs, the release of records featuring Sanremo stars, and their tours across the Union.

Yet, it is a lesser-known fact that the Sanremo Festival served as the inspiration for the now-celebrated Eurovision Song Contest. The festival has been a launching pad for many illustrious Italian singers, including Andrea Bocelli, Adriano Celentano, Toto Cutugno, Laura Pausini, Al Bano and Romina Power, Pupo, Gigliola Cinquetti, Eros Ramazzotti, and others. Notably, Adriano Celentano, beloved in Azerbaijan, was the first and only performer to grace the Sanremo stage during his military service after receiving brief leave in 1961. He performed 24 Thousand Kisses, securing second place. The festival also welcomed foreign artists who performed in Italian, such as Louis Armstrong, Stevie Wonder, Paul Anka, Anna German, among others.

Victory at Sanremo is regarded by organisers and contestants alike not merely as a claim to fame and glory but as a gateway to the international stage. Hence, the festival continues to be hosted in the quaint resort town of Sanremo on Italy's Ligurian coast, which has gained global renown.

Sanremo 2024

The 74th edition of the Italian Song Festival unfolded in the nation's musical heart from February 6-10. Angelina Mango, a 22-year-old singer, clinched the top prize with her lively and whimsical song La Noia (Boredom).

In line with the competition's rules, all 30 contestants presented original Italian songs penned by local composers, which had not been previously performed in public. A notable change this year was the expansion of the final round to include five songs, rather than the traditional three.

In 2024, the most senior participants were the esteemed members of Ricci e Poveri, with singer Angela Brambati (77) and Angelo Sotgiu (76). The youngest contender was the Italian singer Giovanni Pietro Damian, known as Sangiovanni, who is 21 years old. Among the star-studded guests, Australian actor Russell Crowe made a memorable appearance, performing with his band.

Traditionally, the Sanremo victor represents Italy at the Eurovision Song Contest. This year, the European pop music spectacle is set to take place in Malmö, Sweden, from May 7 to 11.

Small World, or Meeting  Mir-Nur

Time and again, we are reminded that the world is indeed a small place. It's not uncommon to encounter familiar faces, friends, or acquaintances' relatives in the farthest reaches of the globe, or even after a long separation. Engaging with tourists from neighbouring countries while abroad can be particularly delightful. For instance, last year in Bari, a small Italian city, a local gentleman offered his assistance late at night to guide us to our hotel in a distant neighbourhood. Through conversation, we discovered he was from Georgia and had relocated to this city. Effortlessly transitioning from English to Russian, our exchange brought smiles to our faces, and the Georgian man's kindness will be etched in our memories for years to come.

Imagine the surprise of hearing Azerbaijani speech in unexpected places, such as in Sanremo near the main railway station. While exploring, we passed a small pizzeria-doneria and heard Turkic speech. One speaker was from Türkiye, and the other, a younger employee of the establishment. He revealed he was from Azerbaijan and kindly invited us to join him for lunch. Although we initially declined to continue sightseeing, we later returned to visit our compatriot, much to his delight.

Despite the bustling atmosphere and the presence of many regular customers, we managed a brief interaction. The employee, Mir-Nur, hailed from the Ujar district of Azerbaijan. Despite his recent arrival, he can already engage in cheerful conversations with his patrons in Italian and English. His clientele included local Italians and Moroccan construction workers who frequented the café for its oriental menu and affordable prices. "I know them well; they come almost daily," Mir-Nur said. Working solo, he efficiently managed multiple orders, and our freshly prepared margarita pizza was served in a mere 10 minutes.

Mir-Nur extended warm greetings to his homeland and welcomed all Azerbaijani tourists visiting Sanremo to his café.

A Ligurian Resort Without the Glitz

Indeed, Sanremo is globally recognised for its music festival, yet it remains a Mediterranean resort nestled on the same coastal stretch as Monaco and the Côte d'Azur, but within the Italian region of Liguria. It boasts the same natural beauty, golden beaches, serene and pristine sea, and lush parks.

Tourists typically flock to Sanremo during the summer months, from May to September, when temperatures soar to 27-28 degrees, occasionally reaching 35-37 degrees. The average sea temperature hovers around 22-23 degrees. The beaches, a mix of sand and pebble, are lined with accommodations ranging from luxurious hotels charging 400-500 euros for two, to more modest options priced at 90-120 euros. In winter, these rates nearly halve.

The central part of Sanremo may not dazzle the seasoned traveller as much as Nice, Monte Carlo, Saint-Tropez, Antibes, or other neighbouring coastal cities. It lacks the same lustre as the sunny Côte d'Azur, suggesting a long-standing neglect of the city's tourist image by local authorities.

Nonetheless, Sanremo's charm lies in its central old quarter, La Pigna, a labyrinth of winding narrow streets, descents, and covered passages that retain a medieval ambiance. It's easy to lose oneself here, much like in Baku's Old City, yet this only adds to its allure for history enthusiasts. The 17th-century sanctuary of Madonna della Costa is a notable landmark here. From there, one can venture to Palace Street (via Palazzo) to explore the area's historical attractions, including the ancient San Siro Cathedral, constructed in the 13th century. Another must-visit is the traditional Russian Orthodox church, Chiesa Russa, which houses an exhibition of Orthodox Russian icons.

Sanremo's casino, a nod to the nearby legendary Monte Carlo, has been a gambling haven since 1905. While it primarily attracts tourists, unlike Monte Carlo, Sanremo's residents are also permitted to partake in the casino's offerings.

The local port and the central promenade may not be the main draw for tourists in Sanremo. However, the grand mansion of Alfred Nobel, a renowned businessman and scientist familiar to every resident of Baku, stands out as a point of interest. Nobel cherished his time in Sanremo, where he resided for six years until his passing in 1896, affectionately referring to his villa as "my nest."

Bussana Vecchia, the enigmatic ghost town, ranks among Sanremo's notable attractions. Dating back to the 9th century, this ancient settlement was nearly obliterated by an earthquake in 1887. The original inhabitants did not reclaim the ruins but instead established a new neighbourhood. Over time, Bussana Vecchia was revived and reconstructed by independent artists. Today, tourists flock to its ancient streets, which are strikingly scenic, with many structures retaining their vibrancy despite the earthquake's devastation.

For those with a penchant for shopping, Via Giacomo Matteotti, also known as La Vasca, is the go-to destination. Here lies the Ariston Concert Hall, the venerable venue of the Sanremo Festival for more than seven decades, nestled among boutiques of renowned global brands. While the festival's architectural home may not be visually striking, its enduring popularity is undeniable, drawing legions of fans and tourists annually.

Welcome to the heart of Italian music—Sanremo!