Another three artists have advanced to the Romanian national final for Eurovision 2018 which will take place on 25th February in Bucharest. The show took place in Salina Turda, a salt mine in Turda. It was the first ever Eurovision pre-selection show to take place underground.
The three successful artists from last night’s semi-final in Turda were:
- Feli – Bună De Iubit
- TIRI – Deşert De Sentimente
- Claudia Andas – The One
Those that were eliminated from the competition are:
- ZØLTAN – Daca Dragostea E Oarba
- Paula Crişan – I Am Here
- Cristian Siminonescu – Nirvana
- Alice Jeckel – Out Of The Dark
- Dan Manciulea – Rază De Soare
- Lion’s Roar – Rekindle The Flame
- Claudia Andas – The One
- Ioana Ciornea – Time After Time
- Bernice Chiţiul – Too Busy For My Heart
- Nicoleta Ţicala – Una Oportunidad
The three finalists join those already qualified for the final from semi-finals one, two and three.
A total of 60 artists are taking part in the Romanian Eurovision selection process this year with 12 acts in each of the 5 semi-finals. In the Grand Final, the ultimate winner to be determined by the public.
During the semi-finals, a jury will select fifteen finalists. On the jury are Marian Ionescu, Ilinca Băcilă (Eurovision 2017), Nicu Patoi, Liliana Ştefan and Viorel Gavrilă. The jury members vote according to the Eurovision system of points 1-8, 10 and 12.
Next week, the fifth and final semi-final of Selecţia Naţională will be broadcast live from Sighișoara. The winner of Selecţia Naţională will perform in the 2nd semi-final of Eurovision 2018 on May 10th, with the hope of maintaining Romania’s 100% qualification record and grabbing a spot in the Eurovision final on May 12th.
Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest
Romania first participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, the country had tried to participate in 1993 but failed to get through the pre-qualifying round. At the 1994 contest Dan Bittman finished 21st in the final scoring 14 points, Romania didn’t make it through to another final until 1998. Romania’s best results in the contest are two third place finishes. In 2005 Luminita Anghel & Sistem finished 3rd scoring 158 points, while Paula Seling & Ovi finished 3rd in Oslo with the song “Playing with Fire”. Romania missed the 2016 contest due to TVR being removed from the EBU.
