San Remo, Italy’s most popular, and most enduring song festival, commenced yesterday at The Ariston, a highly popular venue at this popular Ligurian tourist resort.

This year’s edition features a novelty, with participant singers from I Campioni, the category reserved for established talents, singing two songs, one of which may then be chosen to participate in the final night.

Seven talents took part yesterday, and tonight, Almamegretta, Annalisa, Simone Cristicchi, Elio e Le Storie Tese, Maxe Gazze, Malike Ayane, and I Moda will be completing the first round of this event.  Four out of eight participants in I Giovani, the section reserved for newcomers, will also be participating from the preliminary round, which also took place yesterday.

This prestigious event is broadcast on RAI-TV at 8.30pm, and ends next Saturday.