Romania is always late to the party, but better late than never! Today Romanian broadcaster TVR has finally announced details regarding its national selection for Eurovision 2016. According to a press release issued today, the submission window for Selectia Nationala 2016 will be open between January 18 and February 7. A semi-final round with 12 acts will take place on March 4, with the national final slated to take place on March 6.

It’s been four long months since TVR confirmed that Romania would be in Sweden for Eurovision. Today’s long-awaited details have poured cold water on the ever-present fears of a withdrawal due to TVR’s difficult financial situation. However, since the Eurovision Song Contest is one of the broadcaster’s main ratings draws, Romania should always be expected to participate regardless of the budgetary strains.

Selectia Nationala 2016

The doors are open to foreign and Romanian artists alike. Our hope is that at least one of our dream artists will take a chance with Selectia Nationala 2016. The jury will internally select 12 songs for the semi-final. They will be announced on February 11.

During the live semi-final, a jury will select four songs for the final, with televoters choosing the remaining two. That means six acts will advance to the grand final. Once there, power shifts entirely to the people: Only viewers will decide who wins in the final and goes to Eurovision 2016. This is the first time in the history of Selectia Nationala that the winner will be chosen by the public only.

The new head of delegation is Iuliana Marciuc, who oversaw the production of last year’s National Final. Dan Manoliu, former head of delegation until 2013, will produce this year’s live shows.

So far, Mihai Traistariu is the only high-profile name to announce his imminent return to the Eurovision arena with “Paradisio”, a song that he considers to be a real contender to win the whole thing in Sweden. The Eurovision star, who holds Romania’s record for most points received with his hit “Tornero”, which placed fourth in Athens ten years ago, feels like 2016 is his year and has been readying himself for his comeback for the last couple of years.

Romania is one of the Eurovision Song Contest’s powerhouses, being among the few countries that have always qualified for the Grand Final since the introduction of the semi-finals. True, it is also the only such country that has never won the contest, despite making the podium in 2005 and 2010, with “Let Me Try” and “Playing With Fire,” respectively.

Last year in Vienna, Voltaj finished in a disappointing 15th place with the bilingual song “De la capat / All Over Again”, which aimed to bring awareness to the plight of children left behind by migrants parents.

Are you looking forward to Selectia Nationala? Could 2016 be the year of Romania?

Photo by Leonhard Foeger (Reuters)

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Raphael
Raphael
8 years ago

I heard that Ramona Nerra could be in the selection with My heart is still winning…I hope it’s real…If she wins she will probably be in my Top 5 for 2016 !

Pia
Pia
8 years ago

Holograff ????

Eric
Eric
8 years ago

Aliona Moon??? She was on Voice of Romania.

Calum Macleod
Calum Macleod
8 years ago

Let’s hope that Ramona Nerra submits “My Heart Is Still Winning” to the selection.

Helen
Helen
8 years ago

I want Alina Eremia for Romania