Edition 77

The seventy-seventh edition of the **Global Music Festival** took place in Serravalle, San Marino, following Luna and Kayler's victory at the seventy-sixth edition in Lausanne, Switzerland with the song "Baila". It was the second win for San Marino and the second time that the city of Serravalle hosted the competition. Organised by the head of delegation and host broadcaster, the contest was held at the San Marino Stadium, and consisted of two semi-finals which were both launched on the 25 February 2021 and a grand final which took place from the 10 March 2021. The three shows were hosted by Sammarinese singers Irol and Anita Simoncini.

Sixty countries participated in this edition of the contest. We saw the unfortunate withdrawal of five countries: Algeria, Cyprus, Gibraltar, Nigeria and Russia. However, we did see the return of eight countries for edition seventy-seven. Bosnia & Herzegovina and Malta both returned after taking a one edition break. Argentina returned after being absent for four editions and Israel after six editions. Both Guyana and the United States Virgin Islands returned for the first time since edition sixty-five (eleven editions later). Moldova returned after a twelve edition break. Most significantly, Luxembourg returned to the Global Music Festival for the first time in twenty-nine editions - last participating in edition forty-seven.

The power six for this edition were San Marino, Svalbard, South Korea, Barbados, Ireland and South Africa - these were the delegations that placed in the top six from the previous edition. Their placement in the power six means that they received an automatic place to perform in the final of this edition, while also being allowed to vote in one of the semi-finals in this edition.

 Slogan
 Venue
 Presenter(s)
 Participants
 Winner

## Other Participants

* Cyprus
* Gibraltar
* Nigeria
* Russia

## Semi-Final Allocation Draw

The draw to determine the allocation of the participating countries into their respective semi-finals took place on the [DATE]. The fifty-three semi-finalists were allocated to five pots, based on the previous results of each participating country, calculated by the averages of the past results. Drawing from each pot helps to create an equal split of successful and not-so successful countries in each semi-final to give countries an equal chance of qualification. Finland were not included in the pots because the head of delegation is on the admin team and is in charge of the second semi final; as a result, Finland were automatically assigned to semi-final one.

Also, in the semi-final allocation draw the power six nations San Marino, Svalbard, South Korea, Barbados, Ireland and South Africa were all drawn to vote in one of the respective semi-finals. Svalbard, South Korea and Ireland were assigned to vote in the first semi-final and San Marino, Barbados and South Africa were assigned to vote in the second semi-final.

## Semi Final One

 Svalbard,  South Korea and  Ireland from the power six were randomly allocated to vote in this semi-final, as well as, the countries who participated in this semi-final - as always countries not in this semi-final had the choice whether they wanted to vote in this semi-final or not.  Finland were automatically assigned to this semi-final because the head of delegation for Finland is on the admin team and is the organiser for the second semi-final - this is done to allow the admins to have the uncertainty of their countries' result. Unfortunately, Argentina were disqualified because they failed to vote before the deadline.

## Semi Final Two

 San Marino,  Barbados and  South Africa from the power six were randomly allocated to vote in this semi-final, as well as, the countries who participated in this semi-final - as always countries not in this semi-final had the choice whether they wanted to vote in this semi-final or not.

## Grand Final

Thirty countries participated in the final of this edition of the **Global Music Festival** - the power six and the twenty-four qualifiers from the two semi-finals. All participating countries were eligible to vote in the final; however, only the thirty finalists were obligated to vote! The votes of the non-qualifiers and non-participants were all combined in to the televote. However, only thirty non-qualifiers and non-participants could vote.