Giles Watson Oct 10, 2012:

Raccomandazione = sponsorship Sanremo entrants need a "raccomandazione", according to the article. However, the English for "raccomandazione" is not "recommendation", as that would imply that the recommender thought the recommendee was actually quite good (at singing, in this case).

The idea here is simply (political) sponsorship: the sponsor vouches for the singer but not for the singer's professional abilities.

In other words, leaving sexual obligations aside, it's more like being sponsored for membership of a club than being recommended for a job.

BdiL Oct 10, 2012:

How it works Clear you won't find that in a booklet, but a 'raccomandazione' (recommendation) in this case is meant on the average to get you in; secondly there's probably a trading between record companies to make your singer win. So there's a payoff, but having a politico backing you up is not a guarantee to get first rank. Because, you may guess that, 'onorevoli' (MP's or Congresspeople for US, not so 'right honorable', in the end) apply the well known FFWL(I) policy = F**ked First Winning Later (If any) policy. But talking with the "wisemen" will get you better explanations. One thing is true, here in Italy, things never go the same way twice in a row and, usually, rules are there to be trespassed, not to regulate, and ever more so, as time goes by. Cheer up. Maurizio

stephanie Foulkes (asker) Oct 10, 2012:

So many excellent proposals!!

stephanie Foulkes (asker) Oct 10, 2012:

I'm not sure how it works, but I think the politicians decide who wins and who participates.

Laurence Fogarty Oct 9, 2012:

Question query Stephanie, just wondering if whether you meant to say "..from a politician get to participate" rather than "win" ? Looking at the phrase by itself it seems to suggest the former.