Sanremo 2026: Carlo Conti and Laura Pausini Open the Legendary Music Celebration

The atmosphere in the seaside resort has reached its peak following the official press conference, during which Carlo Conti did not hide his emotion, announcing a return to traditional festival values. The artistic director emphasized that this year's event will be a tribute to the "Baudian" style of hosting the show, combining seriousness with entertainment at the highest level. He will be joined on the Teatro Ariston stage by world-renowned singer Laura Pausini, who is celebrating a return to the place where her international career began years ago. The city has already been decorated with special murals commemorating this year's hosts. Financially, the festival remains a machine generating enormous revenues. It is estimated that advertising revenue for the national broadcaster Rai will exceed last year's record, without burdening the budget from license fee income. Expert analyses point to the growing market value of the event, translating into high fees for artists and special guests, although the main costs are covered by sponsorship deals and commercial advertising blocks. The Sanremo Festival was born in 1951 in the city casino and has been held at the Teatro Ariston since 1977. Over the decades, it has become a cultural cornerstone of Italian identity, serving as inspiration for the creation of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1956. The voting system in this edition is based on three pillars: the press jury, television viewers, and the radio jury. The list of favorite names is changing dynamically after the dress rehearsals, which received mixed reviews. While Ditonellapiaga's performance was described as "irresistible," more seasoned performers like Francesco Renga struggled with visible vocal fatigue. Simultaneously, millions of fans are finalizing their teams in FantaSanremo, which has become an integral part of the show's digital promotion. „Sarà un Festival nel nome di Pippo Baudo, il maestro che ci ha insegnato ad amare questo palco.” — Carlo Conti Beyond the main stage, festival life will unfold on Piazza Borea d'Olmo and aboard a cruise ship, where concerts will be hosted by Max Pezzali. The organizers are taking care of every detail, from the technical sound aspects to the physical condition of the artists, which experts compare to marathon preparations. All of Italy awaits Tuesday evening, which traditionally gathers a record audience in front of their screens. 30 — artists will perform in the main Big category

Perspektywy mediów: Liberal media emphasize inclusivity and the role of women in hosting the festival, moving away from the traditional valletta formula. Conservative press highlights the return to the classic school of Pippo Baudo and respect for the history and national traditions of the show.