What did those pencils mean on the Sanremo stage?

During the third evening of the 2024 Sanremo Festival, one of the most remarkable elements was the presence of pencils in the hands of several artists on the Ariston stage. But what does this gesture represent and why have so many singers chosen to carry this symbol? The meaning behind the pencils is connected to the FantaSanremo, according to whose official page, it refers to the European elections that will take place on June 8th and 9th, during which the citizens of the European Union will elect their representatives to the European Parliament. "The pencil is a symbol of democracy and reminds us of the importance of a right that we all have and that we must not waste: the right to vote. Remind your favorite singer to bring a pencil on stage because if democracy wins, we all win!," said the European Parliament in a social media post.

It is interesting to note how this initiative was promoted in collaboration with the Office of the European Parliament and the Representation of the European Commission in Italy, highlighting the importance that the game has also gained for institutions as a platform to engage with the public. Every artist who chose to bring a pencil on stage earned an extra 20 points in the context of FantaSanremo, as a way to support and promote the importance of the democratic process even during an event of such national significance. Among the artists who adhered to this symbolic gesture, there were several well-known names, such as Maninni, the Santi Francesi, Rose Villain, Diodato, Nek, Renga, Dargen D'Amico, and Emma.