"Sanremo is a team effort, and I'm happy to close out my final Festival cycle with Laura; this year, it must be an even bigger celebration", Carlo Conti, host and artistic director of the 76th Italian Song Festival, said at a news conference on the eve of the competition. Alongside him was Laura Pausini, an internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter who will co-host all six evenings from the same stage where she began her career in 1993. "I've won many other awards, including international ones, but there's none like this", she told reporters. "Yesterday, during rehearsals, I was in the exact spot where Pippo Baudo awarded me", the singer, who competed and won 33 years ago with the song "La solitudine", recounted with emotion. Carlo Conti has decided to dedicate this edition of the Festival to Pippo Baudo, the iconic face of Italian television who died last August. Conti described it as a suitable memorial, particularly since "I've always said my festivals are 'Baudo-inspired'. He is the guiding light, and I'm sorry he's no longer with us", he remarked, his voice shaking. "Sorry, I'm moved, it's just age. And Pippo has truly given so much, and you know it too". As is customary with the Festival, this year's edition is not without controversy. From the announcement that comedian Andrea Pucci will co-host the event, who has since withdrawn due to widespread criticism, to rumors that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni may be in attendance. RAI Communications Director Fabrizio Casinelli declared that her participation is "completely ruled out", and that "Palazzo Chigi also denied her participation". Conti also addressed the Pucci issue, reaffirming that the choice was his: "I would rather have people say I don't know how to do my job than think someone is pulling my leg", he stated. Carlo Conti also expressed his understanding of the decision to withdraw, stating, "I'm sorry, but I understand. We all remember what happened to another champion, Crozza," in reference to the boos the comedian received in 2013 after a parody of Silvio Berlusconi. Finally, the music of the 30 Big Artists participating will speak for itself. Conti describes this year's lineup as "pop, rock, rap, ballads, different rhythms: a fundamental mix for narrating today's Italian music.""Four artists have been selected through Sanremo Giovani 2025 and Area Sanremo: Angelica Bove, Nicolò Filippucci, the trio Blind, El Ma & Soniko and Mazzariello, whose winner will be announced on the Festival’s third evening.