Canticum Certamine 26

Canticum Certamine 26, also known as CC 26, was the twenty-sixth edition of Canticum Certamine. The contest took place in Bern, Switzerland. This was the first time Switzerland. Bern hosted this edition after Sans Soucis won the previous edition held in Korçë with the song "I Know Your Present". The show took place in the PostFinance Arena and was hosted by Giorgia Würth, RAYE, and Tamara Sedmak.
The Swiss broadcaster invited to participate as this editions guest.
Fifty-four countries participated in Bern. Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as San Marino returned to the contest after editions of absence, with San Marino participating under a new Head of Delegation. No countries withdrew from the edition. This was the first edition since the fifth edition in which no countries withdrew from the contest.
The winner of the edition was Liechtenstein with the song "Claws" performed by Kim Petras. This was the second time Kim Petras won the contest, after previously winning the seventh edition for Germany, making her the first artist to win the contest twice. The song gathered 452 points, and for the first time in the contest, the first and second places were tied. The United Kingdom finished as runner-up after the tie-break while Iceland finished third. Czechia and Algeria got the fourth and fifth place respectively, while Belarus completed the top 6 in sixth place.
==Location==
Switzerland is a landlocked nation located in the heart of Europe. It's famous for its stunning natural beauty, dominated by the majestic Alps mountain range which covers over half the country. Switzerland has a rich cultural heritage, influenced by its neighbouring countries France, Germany, and Italy. The country has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
Nestled amidst the awe-inspiring peaks of the Swiss Alps lies Bern, the nation's capital and a city brimming with history and charm. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Bern's Old Town captivates visitors with its meticulously preserved medieval ambiance. Cobbled streets wind beneath elegant arcades, adorned with shops and leading to the magnificent Bern Minster, a 15th-century cathedral standing as a testament to the city's rich past. The Aare River gracefully curves around the Old Town, offering a scenic backdrop and a refreshing escape for locals and visitors alike. Founded in 1191, Bern boasts a legacy that transcends its historical core. Today, it flourishes as a vibrant modern hub, attracting international organizations and fostering a thriving business scene. Giorgia Würth, RAYE, and Tamara Sedmak are the presenters of the twenty-sixth edition of Canticum Certamine.
Giorgia Würth, a Swiss-Italian talent born in 1979, has carved a multifaceted path in media since 1998. Captivating audiences across both Swiss and Italian screens, she has excelled as a television presenter, gracing programs on the Disney Channel and Rai 3, while simultaneously blossoming as an actress with a diverse filmography.
RAYE (real name Rachel Agatha Keen) is a Ghanian-Swiss rising star in the British music scene. Born in 1997, she's not only a captivating singer-songwriter but also a talented behind-the-scenes contributor, having penned hits for artists like Beyoncé and Rihanna. After gaining recognition through features on successful singles, RAYE's independent debut album "My 21st Century Blues" (2023) garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, even snagging her a record-breaking six BRIT Awards in 2024, including Album of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. RAYE previously represented Switzerland at Canticum Certamine in the sixth and eighth editions, placing fourth and eleventh respectively.
Tamara Sedmak, a multilingual Swiss powerhouse born in 1976, has captivated audiences for over two decades. Her career shines as brightly as the spotlights she's commanded. She began as a model, gracing runways and gracing magazine covers, before transitioning into a successful television presenter. Now a sought-after event moderator, Sedmak's fluency in six languages allows her to bring her wit and expertise to events across the globe, spanning industries from IT and fashion to health and medicine.
==Format==
===Semi-final allocation draw===
A draw to determine the allocation of the participating countries into their respective semi-finals took place. The first part of the draw determined in which semi-final the Big Six would have to vote. The second part of the draw decided in which half of the respective semi-finals each country would perform, with the exact running order determined by the producers of the show at a later date. Twenty countries will participate in both semi-finals, respectively. From each semi-final, ten countries will join the "Big 6" in the final, where a total of twenty-six countries will participate.
The forty-two semi-finalists were allocated into six pots, based on their geographical place and cultural similarities. Drawing from different pots helps in reducing the chance of so-called neighbour voting and increasing suspense in the semi-finals. Each time a country was drawn from the pot, its semi-final and half of the semi-final was determined.
The six pots were the following:
Pot 1	Pot 2	Pot 3
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Pot 4	Pot 5	Pot 6
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==Participating countries==
===Pre-Qualification Round===
Draw	Country	Artist 	Song 	Place	Points
01 	 	ELPO 	"Rožu Dārzs" 	4 	169
02 	 	Kids With Buns 	"how bad could it be"	8 	110
03 	 	Lilaya 	"Metel" 	2 	189
04 	 	Carine 	"Call 911" 	10 	89
05 	 	Marija Spasovska	"Temperament" 	7 	122
06 	 	Rahel 	"Schaffner" 	3 	169
07 	 	Rossana 	"Acordai" 	5 	165
08 	 	Rauf Kingsley 	"Sad Disco" 	9 	94
09 	 	Vesna 	"Queen Of Love" 	1 	191
10 	 	JINJ 	"Khosa Khosa" 	6 	142
===Semi-final 1===
Twenty-one countries participated in the first semi-final. Ireland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom also voted in this semi-final. The highlighted countries qualified for the final.
Draw	Country	Artist 	Song 	Place	Points
01 	 	Mishell 	"Centur" 	13 	125
02 	 	Alina Pash 	"Sabbath" 	17 	81
03 	 	Carly Rae Jepsen 	"Kamikaze" 	6 	180
04 	 	Ascendant Vierge 	"Défi" 	3 	189
05 	 	Tatiana Delalvz 	"Anestesia" 	4 	186
06 	 	Gabrielius Vagelis	"Man Moji" 	19 	68
07 	 	Una Mia 	"Better Care" 	9 	142
08 	 	Becca 	"Yag Esregeer ni"	8 	145
09 	 	Rahel 	"Schaffner" 	14 	120
10 	 	Torfi 	"Mánaðamót" 	1 	259
11 	 	Lella Fadda 	"MSH 3AYZAK" 	20 	40
12 	 	Arabella Sejdija 	"Schmeckt" 	21 	39
13 	 	ELPO 	"Rožu Dārzs" 	5 	184
14 	 	Foxy Lee 	"Mataia" 	12 	134
15 	 	Rosenfeld 	"The Witch" 	2 	233
16 	 	Lilly Meraviglia 	"PAZZA IN CULO" 	10 	141
17 	 	Valentinna 	"Pirane" 	11 	137
18 	 	Salio 	"Mountain" 	18 	72
19 	 	La Petite 	"Bouge" 	15 	116
20 	 	Hunnygloss 	"GTFOMW" 	16 	88
21 	 	Melis Fis 	"Kendini Kandır" 	7 	163
===Semi-final 2===
Twenty-one countries participated in the second semi-final. Croatia, Kazakhstan and the Netherlands also voted in this semi-final. The highlighted countries qualified for the final.
Draw	Country	Artist 	Song 	Place	Points
01 	 	Vesna 	"Queen Of Love" 	2 	216
02 	 	liyolei 	"zhivoy" 	16 	99
03 	 	ARY 	"My Awe Sustains" 	13 	124
04 	 	Remi Akl 	"You killed the heart" 	20 	59
05 	 	Zevin 	"Uspori" 	19 	69
06 	 	Rahel 	"Nerve" 	21 	48
07 	 	Maja Matusiak 	"I Changed My Mind" 	12 	129
08 	 	Cecile Believe 	"Bitch Bites Dog" 	7 	167
09 	 	Elio 	"More Than My Mind" 	14 	122
10 	 	The Last Dinner Party	"Nothing Matters" 	10 	136
11 	 	quinnie 	"touch tank" 	6 	171
12 	 	Eva Say & DAKOOKA 	"Vony ne ya" 	8 	162
13 	 	Molly Sandén 	"Hålla mig" 	5 	172
14 	 	bülow 	"Get Stupid" 	17 	81
15 	 	María Escarmiento 	"Te pedí que me olvidaras"	15 	100
16 	 	Miss Madeline 	"Bass Jump" 	11 	134
17 	 	Kim Petras 	"Claws" 	1 	226
18 	 	Blanch 	"On the Edge" 	3 	200
19 	 	Lilaya 	"Metel" 	4 	195
20 	 	Isaac Sene 	"Jukka" 	18 	71
21 	 	ETT 	"KITSUNE" 	9 	161
===Final===
Draw	Country	Artist 	Song 	Place	Points
01 	 	Eva Say & DAKOOKA 	"Vony ne ya" 	14 	225
02 	 	Lilly Meraviglia 	"PAZZA IN CULO" 	18 	192
03 	 	Torfi 	"Mánaðamót" 	3 	428
04 	 	Molly Sandén 	"Hålla mig" 	17 	194
05 	 	Carly Rae Jepsen 	"Kamikaze" 	8 	290
06 	 	Rosenfeld 	"The Witch" 	5 	364
07 	 	Marquise 	"J'irai danser" 	25 	86
08 	 	Vesna 	"Queen Of Love" 	4 	392
09 	 	quinnie 	"touch tank" 	10 	251
10 	 	CMAT 	"Stay For Something" 	19 	182
11 	 	The Last Dinner Party	"Nothing Matters" 	16 	199
12 	 	Una Mia 	"Better Care" 	20 	176
13 	 	Suki Waterhouse 	"To Love" 	2 	452
14 	 	Ascendant Vierge 	"Défi" 	7 	297
15 	 	ETT 	"KITSUNE" 	15 	210
16 	 	Allison Ponthier 	"Hollywood Forever Cemetery"	24 	127
17 	 	ELPO 	"Rožu Dārzs" 	21 	145
18 	 	Kim Petras 	"Claws" 	1 	452
19 	 	Melis Fis 	"Kendini Kandır" 	13 	234
20 	 	M()re, Chernoburkv 	"Twins" 	22 	143
21 	 	Cecile Believe 	"Bitch Bites Dog" 	11 	250
22 	 	Lilaya 	"Metel" 	6 	326
23 	 	Tatiana Delalvz 	"Anestesia" 	12 	248
24 	 	Blanch 	"On the Edge" 	9 	274
25 	 	Yaro Mila 	"Talk Of The Town" 	26 	63
26 	 	Becca 	"Yag Esregeer ni" 	23 	139