Sanremo’s Legacy: Honoring the Unsung Classics and the Rise of New Female Rock for 2026

On January 28, 2026, just a day before the symbolic anniversary of the very first Sanremo Music Festival held on January 29, 1951, Italy witnessed the unveiling of a significant new literary work. Titled "Sanremo e la classifica del tempo" (Sanremo and the Timetable), this publication offers a deep dive into the historical fabric of Italy's most prestigious musical event.

Authors Marco Rettani and Nico Donvito have meticulously curated a selection of 100 compositions that, despite failing to secure the top prize during their respective years, have achieved a level of immortality. These songs have embedded themselves into the cultural consciousness far more deeply than many actual winners, proving that a ranking on a scoreboard does not always dictate a song's ultimate legacy.

The book highlights legendary tracks such as "24 mila baci" and "Maledetta primavera," using them as primary examples of how the passage of time serves as the truest judge of artistic merit. By shifting the focus away from the final standings, the authors celebrate the enduring resonance of music that captured the heart of the public regardless of the jury's verdict.

Designed as a high-end art object, the edition spans 324 vibrant color pages in a large square format reminiscent of a classic vinyl record. It is not merely a visual experience; the book includes a CD featuring 16 tracks and incorporates QR codes that allow readers to instantly stream the discussed music via platforms like Spotify.

The volume is further enriched by original contributions and testimonies from some of the most influential figures in the Italian entertainment industry. Insights from Renzo Arbore, Peppe Vessicchio, and Vincenzo Mollica provide historical depth, while a special letter from the legendary Pippo Baudo serves to "close the circle of memory" for the reader.

Published by Azzurra Music, the book is scheduled for official release on January 29, 2026. This date was chosen specifically to honor the exact day the festival began its journey in 1951, bridging the gap between the event's origins and its modern-day significance. This timing underscores the idea that sometimes the "non-winners" are the ones who most accurately capture the spirit of an era.

In a parallel development, the anticipation for the upcoming Sanremo 2026 festival is already building. Scheduled to take place from February 24 to February 28, 2026, at the historic Ariston Theatre, the event continues to be a focal point for the evolution of Italian music and social discourse.

Among the most talked-about participants for the 2026 edition is the Milanese rock band Le Bambole di Pezza. Their entry, "Resta con me," is generating significant buzz, moving away from traditional romantic tropes to focus on themes of presence, human connection, and the importance of supporting one another through life's challenges.

The songwriting process for "Resta con me" involved a collaboration with the artist Nesli, alongside the band members and other contributors. This collective effort has resulted in a track that seeks to capture a specific social urgency, urging listeners to remain united during difficult times rather than focusing solely on romantic sentiment.

Early critical reactions have been notably varied, reflecting the diverse expectations of the Sanremo audience. While some reviewers have praised the song's "girl power" energy and its nostalgic nods to 1990s rock aesthetics, others remain skeptical about how these elements will translate on the grand stage of the Ariston in the current musical climate.

Ultimately, these two events—the release of a book honoring the past and the debut of new voices for the future—demonstrate that Sanremo remains a living, breathing organism. It is a space where memory preserves the "eternal" songs while the present introduces fresh perspectives and innovative forms of expression.

The festival serves as a vital bridge where music transcends mere competition rankings. It remains a place where society learns to speak and listen simultaneously, and where songs eventually find their home in the collective memory of the people, far beyond the reach of a temporary scoreboard.

• The preservation of musical heritage through archival rediscovery.
• The introduction of contemporary voices that challenge social norms.
• The enduring power of music to act as a bridge between generations and rankings.