In a move that surprised many but delighted fans of both dance music and Eurovision, Italian DJ and producer Gabry Ponte has been officially chosen to represent San Marino at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. His entry, the infectious dance track “Tutta L’Italia,” will compete in the first semi-final on May 13 in Basel, Switzerland, with the grand final slated for May 17. Ponte’s selection marks a high‐profile moment for one of Europe’s smallest Eurovision participants, underscoring the contest’s spirit of cross‐border collaboration and cultural exchange

Ponte’s journey from chart‐topping DJ to Eurovision star is steeped in Italian musical heritage. He first rose to international fame in 1998 as a member of the Eurodance group Eiffel 65, co‐creating the global hit “Blue (Da Ba Dee).” Since then, he has established a successful solo career, remixing for major artists, headlining festivals, and carving out a reputation for high‐energy performances. With “Tutta L’Italia,” Ponte revisits his roots: the song blends traditional Italian folk motifs—accordion riffs, choral chants—with modern electronic beats, creating an anthem that both honors Italy’s musical past and propels it into a new, festival‐ready future

Originally conceived as the signature tune for his upcoming SAN SIRO DANCE concert—where Ponte will become the first solo DJ to fill Milan’s historic San Siro stadium on June 28—the track quickly transcended its initial purpose. Released in January 2025, “Tutta L’Italia” soared to No. 23 on Italian charts and amassed nearly 10 million YouTube views within weeks. Its rapid rise was fueled by its adoption as a jingle during the 75th Sanremo Music Festival, where the chorus “Tutta L’Italia, Tutta L’Italia…” played over every ad break, becoming an inescapable earworm for viewers and live audiences alike

San Marino’s decision to invite Ponte to represent them at Eurovision was crystallized when fan polls and social media campaigns overwhelmingly backed the Italian star. Despite having only 33,000 residents, San Marino has consistently punched above its weight at Eurovision by embracing niche artists and unconventional entries. Ponte’s saffron‐streaked anthem aligns perfectly with the microstate’s tradition of surprising viewers and judges with unexpected yet captivating performances. In a statement, the San Marino national broadcaster praised the entry as “a unifying celebration of Italian culture that resonates far beyond our borders”

Ponte himself has expressed both humility and excitement at the prospect of donning San Marino’s colors on one of music’s biggest stages. In interviews leading up to the contest, he reflected on his bond with the festival scene: “My experience at Sanremo taught me the power of live audiences and their energy. Now, I get to bring that same spirit to Eurovision, representing a country that has embraced my music with open arms.” He also acknowledged the contest’s political controversies, insisting that “music’s true role is to unite people. Whatever happens on stage, I want viewers to feel the joy and camaraderie that this song embodies”

But the road to Eurovision is not without its challenges. Wiwibloggs, a leading Eurovision fan site, recently critiqued Ponte’s entry for its heavy reliance on nostalgia and festival theatrics. In their review, panelists praised the track’s stadium‐filling potential but raised concerns that “with only six performers on stage—Ponte behind his decks and masked backing vocalists—‘Tutta L’Italia’ may struggle to capture the same collective energy it enjoyed at Sanremo”. Such critiques highlight the balancing act contestants face: harnessing familiarity to engage viewers while innovating enough to stand out in a field of 37 diverse entries.

To bolster his chances, Ponte’s team has devised an intricate stage show that expands upon the song’s Italian‐pride theme. Renderings shared with the public depict a stage bathed in the red, white, and green of the Italian flag, with video backdrops showcasing sweeping shots of Rome’s Colosseum, Milan’s Duomo, and the sun-drenched Amalfi Coast. Dancers clad in modern reinterpretations of folkloric costumes will interact with Ponte’s live DJ set, while pyrotechnics and confetti cannons are timed to the track’s epic chorus. Early rehearsals in London’s Outernet have reportedly impressed observers with their seamless fusion of spectacle and musicality.

Beyond the stage design, Ponte has committed to extensive outreach aimed at fostering connection with Eurovision’s international fan base. He will appear at pre‐contest events such as the London Eurovision Party and Amsterdam’s Eurovision in Concert, performing live and engaging in Q&A sessions. Social media initiatives include behind‐the‐scenes vlogs and interactive challenges for fans to create their own “Tutta L’Italia” dance routines. These efforts underscore a broader trend at Eurovision: the importance of building a narrative and community around a song well before the contest’s live broadcasts.

San Marino’s history at Eurovision has been one of modest success—qualifying for finals only sporadically, in 2014, 2019, and 2021. Yet, by enlisting a high-profile artist like Gabry Ponte, the microstate demonstrates its commitment to competitive progression. Music industry analysts suggest that iconic names bring credibility and media attention, which can translate into jury points and televotes. If “Tutta L’Italia” captures hearts as both a nostalgic and contemporary EDM anthem, it may very well lead San Marino to its best result yet.

As the contest draws near, pundits and fans alike are keen to see how Ponte’s cross-border collaboration will play out on the Eurovision stage. Will the song’s sheer exuberance eclipse its niche references, or will it be deemed too regional for a diverse European audience? Either way, Ponte’s participation signals a bold embrace of cultural exchange—an Italian maestro representing a tiny republic in a pan-European celebration of unity through music.

Ultimately, Eurovision 2025 promises to be a landmark year for San Marino and Gabry Ponte alike. With “Tutta L’Italia,” Ponte not only champions his Italian heritage but also embodies Eurovision’s ethos: that music can traverse national boundaries, ignite collective joy, and bring people together in a shared moment of celebration. As he steps onto the Basel stage on May 13, all of Italy—and much of Europe—will be cheering him on, united in song and spirit.

Eurovision 2025 promises to be a landmark year for San Marino and Gabry Ponte alike. With “Tutta L’Italia,” Ponte not only champions his Italian heritage but also embodies Eurovision’s ethos: that music can traverse national boundaries, ignite collective joy, and bring people together in a shared moment of celebration. As he steps onto the Basel stage on May 13, all of Italy—and much of Europe—will be cheering him on, united in song and spirit.