On Saturday night, Moldova made the decision on who should represent them at Eurovision 2023. Ten acts competed in Etapa Națională 2023, but it was Pasha Parfeni who secured the ticket to Liverpool.

Pasha will take the song “Soarele şi luna” to Eurovision 2023.

He’s a Eurovision returnee, having last participated in 2012.

Etapa Națională 2023

Reaults

The final decision on who won was determined by both a jury and the public. The votes from each side counted for 50% of the result.

Jury vote

  1. Pasha Parfeni – 53 points – 12
  2. Aliona Moon – 52 points – 10
  3. Sunstroke Project – 36 points – 8
  4. Surorile Osoiani – 35 points – 7
  5. OL – 29 points – 6
  6. Donia – 24 points – 5
  7. Corina Ivanov – 24 points – 4
  8. Victor Gulick – 17 points – 3
  9. Cosmina – 10 points – 2
  10. NÖRDIKA – 10 points – 1

Public vote

  1. Pasha Parfeni – 5428 votes – 12 points
  2. Sunstroke Project – 2276 votes – 10 points
  3. Surorile Osolanu – 1525 votes – 8 points
  4. Aliona Moon – 1133 votes – 7 points
  5. Donia – 196 votes – 6 points
  6. Cosmina – 113 votes – 5 points
  7. NÖRDIKA – 100 votes – 4 points
  8. Corina Ivanov – 81 votes – 3 points
  9. Victor Gulick – 72 votes – 2 points
  10. OL – 56 votes – 1 point

Final result

  1. Pasha Parfeni – 24 points
  2. Sunstroke Project – 18 points
  3. Aliona Moon – 17 points
  4. Surorile Osoianu – 15 points
  5. Donia – 11 points
  6. OL – 7 points
  7. Corina Ivanov – 7 points
  8. Cosmina – 7 points
  9. Victor Gulick – 5 points
  10. NÖRDIKA – 5 points

Running order

  1. Donia – “Red Zone”
  2. OL – “Why You Play It Cool”
  3. Victor Gulick – “Let’s Dance”
  4. Surorile Osoianu – “Bade, bădişor, bădiţă”
  5. Cosmina – “Indestructible”
  6. NÖRDIKA – “Damn and Down”
  7. Aliona Moon – “Du-mă”
  8. Sunstroke Project – “Yummy Mommy”
  9. Pasha Parfeni – “Soarele şi luna”
  10. Corina Ivanov – “When Love’s Real”

Will Moldova’s selection stand them in good stead for Eurovision 2023? Who would you have chosen as the winner? Let us know in the comments below.

284 Comments
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esc_fl
esc_fl
1 year ago

This. Is. Awesome.

Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
1 year ago

The flute playing dwarf is a new ESC low. Is there nothing performers will not do for attention?

Aaljan
Aaljan
1 year ago
Reply to  Séamus Mór

So people with Dwarfism are not allowed to perform at Eurovision? How Ableist of you, you are disgusting.

Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
1 year ago
Reply to  Aaljan

Listen to the snowflake. You haven’t a clue! that dwarf is being objectified and used to get more attention. Disgusting ineed!

Séamus Mór
Séamus Mór
1 year ago
Reply to  Aaljan

I’m all for the normalisation of anyone with a disability but not like this, it’s no better than court dwarves in 16th century Europe, they’re not there for our amusement and you have the nerve to call me disgusting?

europotato
europotato
1 year ago

I got the ick so bad with this. lol From them women with antlers on their heads to Tyrion Lannister playing a recorder. This is beyond.

Aaljan
Aaljan
1 year ago
Reply to  europotato

Potato in your name is right, as in the IQ of.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago

You know what I just realized? I think this is the first Eurovision where Moldova and Romania both send something in Romanian at the same time (okay, Romania’s entry is bilingual in both Romanian and English but still).

Fizz
Fizz
1 year ago

I’m only drawn and get captivated into this when the 2 ladies are joining to sing 2gether with Pasha. Than Im feeling some energy.

Jay
Jay
1 year ago

It is horrible

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
1 year ago

So far the first semi final has very strong contenders: Finland, Serbia, Moldova and some fan favourites just like Norway and Czech Republic. It could be quite interesting !

Stephanie
Stephanie
1 year ago

Not my cup of tea, but it can get a good result, we’ll see

Ultima Thule
Ultima Thule
1 year ago

I have to say that I am surprised, maybe even shocked to see this good reaction to Moldova’s entry. I love Moldova in general, and their songs are usually fun and different, I think this song is the best from their NF (which was pretty poor this year tho), and I am grateful we won’t see another Sunstroke Project, but… really? 🙂 The idea behind this is fine, I have no doubt it will look better on the Eurovision stage, but it doesn’t fulfill any requirements to do well on ES. Not quite radio-friendly, and the performance is not bad,… Read more »

ESC Stan
ESC Stan
1 year ago

I don’t know how I feel about this. The song is top tier (though they need to increase his mic) and the pagan imagery is so visually arresting. My issue is that historically dwarves have had a “pan player” trope (in this case flute) in folkloric movies etc. As a person with a disability I’m not offended and I want to see more representation, but is there a better way to do it than tropes?

BigGAL
BigGAL
1 year ago

Love that pagan vibe and the song concept, but I almost don’t hear him, that needs to be worked on, but I do think this will pass to final. Then all will depend what improvements will be done. Goodluck !

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
1 year ago

Moldova 11/12

Xxx
Xxx
1 year ago

I both like this and don’t. I like the flute and some staging ideas are cool. But the song is quite repetitive and monotonous. I wish the vocal melody was a bit more interesting.

Jamie
Jamie
1 year ago

This will look EPIC on the ESC stage.

Eurovisionary
Eurovisionary
1 year ago

Italy 2021 was way better than this one ofcourse it was winner but this sorry not my cup of tea. But good luck

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago

Congrats and Goodluck (Felicit?ri ?i mult noroc), Pasha! This year we will have 2 songs with Romanian language. Happy to hear my mother language on such a big stage where diversity is accepted all the way.

Ffs
Ffs
1 year ago

its nothing special

Topolino
Topolino
1 year ago

I’m always up for a good pagan vibe but I think I like the idea of this more than the execution. The song is decent though, and this could be really great with better staging (and maybe a revamp)!

Man
Man
1 year ago

I love Pasha 2012. But this, Nja. When Sweden let artist coming back to ESC people screaming, it’s not the same in from a nother contry

Michael
Michael
1 year ago

Song needs a revamp to add base and dance ability – keep all the ethnic elements.

Miliyoly
Miliyoly
1 year ago

He’s hot, the song is okay

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago

Really low budget version of the Shum/Fulenn recent ESC trend?

Faezdel
Faezdel
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

This has nothing to do with Fulenn, are you deaf or what?

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago
Reply to  Faezdel

If you really need explaining on why it could draw some comparisons with that type of entry, then I’m not even going to bother.

zelenovi
zelenovi
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

I’d rather see more of these than the same power ballad 20 times which we’ve had some years.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago

I just realized Pasha is the third returning artist for Moldova in a row. We haven’t had a new Moldovan artist for eurovision since 2019. Just an observation.

Vicci
Vicci
1 year ago

My number 2 at this moment:)

GojoSatoru
GojoSatoru
1 year ago

Pasha gets a spot in my top 15 so far. Though I see him as what Joci Papai was in 2019.

AllThingsNordic.eu
1 year ago

That’s an OK song, nothing more to me. It’s a decent entry for Moldova but I cannot see it anywhere in my Top-10 or 15. I feel it lacks something, it’s a bit overwhelming with all the drums, visuals, Pasha with that costume, the ladies with those things on their head, the midget (I wonder why they chose him, I don’t like people from minority groups being used as a “hook” for songs). In any case, Good Luck, Moldova!

AllThingsNordic.eu
1 year ago

Plus, Pasha’s voice is barely hearable. Low mic for what reason?

Sonam
Sonam
1 year ago

Televoters love Moldova and Pasha is super charismatic.
The song is quite average, but so is this year’s edition so far, with a few exceptions.
Another top 10 is more than possible.

Gav
Gav
1 year ago
Reply to  Sonam

Average??? Finland??? Serbia??? Croatia??? Not sure the country’s are middle of the road!!! I think we are getting some diverse styles this year along with a few traditional Eurovision numbers (Norway, sweeden) and your candy pop too (Denmark…)

Marty McCU
Marty McCU
1 year ago
Reply to  Gav

Diversity is good, I agree with you some songs are above average radio play, but putting Croatia at the top, mmm one must be tone deaf, it’s a dreadful song indeed, one of the worst ever at Eurovision.

Sonam
Sonam
1 year ago
Reply to  Gav

I m not complaining about diversity. However, diversity does not equal quality necessarily. Finland, Norway and Serbia are among the few good exceptions I was talking about though

Faezdel
Faezdel
1 year ago
Reply to  Gav

Serbia’s song is a mess, I don’t get the fuss about it. And Croatia is simply horrible, ae you serious?

Leendert Jan
Leendert Jan
1 year ago

This is a good choice for Moldova; it’s catchy, it’s ethnic, he sells it well. The antler look is a bit funny, but I think it’s likely that the staging will be way slicker in Liverpool. I don’t think it’s the kind of songs juries like, but there will be plenty of televoters charmed by this. And nice that Moldova is singing in Romanian again!

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Leendert Jan

I see that people does not want to sound too “off guard” with Moldova and they want to get their predictions right this year but i am sorry but no, last year most of you totally ignored Moldova and this year your predictions are going to be Wrong again because televote Will have Norway, Finland and Loreen Sweden to vote for. This song IS not “quirky” enough to attract a massive and unpredicted televote.

Alex
Alex
1 year ago

pasha did well in televoting, surprised sunstroke didn’t do as good as I thought.

the performance of pasha is so bizarre which means it works for Eurovision

I think the flute guy is the highlight of the performance here and what it will sell the performance the audience. Having said that, it won’t be easy to qualify.

TheDrMistery
TheDrMistery
1 year ago
Reply to  Alex

I don’t agree. I think he will qualify rather easily because among other entries this year he’s unique. A little bit of “Samo Shampioni” (BUL 2013) in the chorus, a little bit of “Nomiza” (CYP 2000) in the verses and overall atmosphere, flute break straight outta last year’s winner (and not unlike sax in “Hey Mamma”s composition). Very interesting mixture, nothing like it is in the line-up. Moldova almost always does someting memorable and this is no exception.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago

It is funny to read comments about this song. I think It is evident that after last year unpredicted and surprising second place for Moldova with the televote people dont want to sound too amateur(ish) as regards Eurovision and get their predictions wrong. This song IS just ok but It is funny that no one says anything about how low he sounds, specially compared to the female “back” singers

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

When the Spanish song was released there was a quite a few people comparing It with France last year and predicting a bad result and now that we have a song that might be easily compared to the French song last year no one seems to notice the resemblance.

TheDrMistery
TheDrMistery
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

It’s more low-key and less aggressive in a way.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  TheDrMistery

I agree It is no France but as regards comparisons this song IS more “similar” to France than the Spanish entry.

Tylos
Tylos
1 year ago

Aliona, Sunstroke Project & Pasha all in the final. Love it.
Moldova is very talented but very small. I reckon if you got into an elevator in Chisinau you’d likely share it with a former ESC representative.

Vladimir P
Vladimir P
1 year ago

This is awesome! Please do not translate song to English. Good luck Moldova! Greetings from Serbia

Kiwicelt
Kiwicelt
1 year ago
Reply to  Vladimir P

this English speaker agrees

Darren
Darren
1 year ago

He’s really handsome though isn’t he? And he gets better looking with each comeback lol

Just need Loreen now and we have a 2012 reunion

Leo M
Leo M
1 year ago

It’s not a great song but Moldova do know how to put on a performance. Really like the ethnic elements, he’s got great energy but the song is just ok

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago

I was watching the video of the winner and It suddenly jumped to another song in Moldova’s NF (i Guess), 5 women and a Guy playing a pipe (lalalalalai), i absolutely LOVE this one.
The winner not bad but the leading singer sings so low in purpose or was a problem with the mic?

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

Definitely there should have been a problem with his micro bc in the video he does not Sing so lowly.

Frisian esc
Frisian esc
1 year ago

Looking back I think Pasha Parfeni was my first ever male crush back in 2012. Good to see him back!

Europotato
Europotato
1 year ago

In other news, Connolly released her revamped song midnight summer night

Darren
Darren
1 year ago
Reply to  Europotato

Such a wasted opportunity

Europotato
Europotato
1 year ago
Reply to  Darren

I know it’s even better than I expected too. Ireland needs a wake up call.

Europotato
Europotato
1 year ago
Reply to  Europotato

I was thinking top 5 with good staging maybe might I say it top 3!

Efthymios
Efthymios
1 year ago

I was out tonight so I couldn’t watch either the beginning of PZE or Moldova’s NF so I went and watched Pasha’s live performance. Needless to say after that, I got a new 4th place.

BadWoolfGirl
BadWoolfGirl
1 year ago

I was so prepared to see sun stroke project take the ticket that I was genuinely shocked to see Pasha Parfeni I was the winner, and it was my favorite song of a selection to boot. It’s truly the best song for Moldova and the jury and televote agreed. Soarele ?i luna is definitely going in my top 10 for sure.

Oy oy
Oy oy
1 year ago

I’m a bit surprised the Transnistrian Sunstroke Project didn’t win, thought they would mostly because it’s them, not because of the song. But maybe I should have seen this coming with the political situation. I think Moldova made a good choice with Pasha Perfeni.

Jinbeizaki
Jinbeizaki
1 year ago
Reply to  Oy oy

Or maybe because the song of Sunstroke Project was not as good as their previous songs? I was scared they would get the ticket only because of the name and not the song. I’m glad it wasn’t the case.

Scott
Scott
1 year ago

This I like- It’s almost like a more polished style of France ESC22- it’s going to grow on me I think – it’s unique, it’s creative and it is something different to the increasingly metalish, pop rock-ish styles coming through this year. Happy to put this on the shelf next to Spain and watch it grow and do very well. I think the two of them are in a fresh and successful category of their very own! Well done Moldova!

Thallo
Thallo
1 year ago

Definitely a top-10 placement! I’m excited to see what they do with the staging, the opportunities are endless with this song.

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
1 year ago

Very cute and powerful

Multumesc Moldova !

Nikita Zhukov
Nikita Zhukov
1 year ago

THANK YOU, MOLDOVA!!!
Straight to my #2
Easy qualifier imo

Amar pelos dois
Amar pelos dois
1 year ago
Reply to  Nikita Zhukov

Absolutely agree !

Loo
Loo
1 year ago

Moldova is my top1 so far.

Lumostark
Lumostark
1 year ago

Is his microphone low or does he just not have any power in his vocals? The song is not bad though.

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  Lumostark

I think It is the micro because when the women start singing they are way too loud compared to him. I dont think this lack of volume balance IS on purpose.

Roelof M
Roelof M
1 year ago

Imagine being him, having to compete against Loreen twice!

Karl
Karl
1 year ago
Reply to  Roelof M

Soarele si luna >>>>> Tattoo

Marcin
Marcin
1 year ago

The EBU should investigate the Moldovan jury for ranking Sunstroke project so low after placing them first in the preselection round. I would not be surprised if Pashas team bribed them. We all know he never stood a chance fairly against them.

Alecs
Alecs
1 year ago
Reply to  Marcin

The preselection was without the show. Do you think that Pasha bribe also the televote? :))

Marcin
Marcin
1 year ago
Reply to  Alecs

Sunstroke project should not depend on the televote. The jury surely know about Sunstroke’s popularity worldwide. And that should be enough to push them through.

Devito
Devito
1 year ago
Reply to  Marcin

EBU has no power over broadcasters’ selections; thus, EBU is ineligible to question TRM’s actions or rather blame them for placing someone in the opening position. It’s like you think the EBU can decide whether national selections are judicial or whether internal selections can be tolerated. Ridiculous dictatorial manners all over your head!

Marcin
Marcin
1 year ago
Reply to  Devito

Tell that to the polish fans.

Surfacetension
Surfacetension
10 months ago
Reply to  Marcin

Wow, you should get some meds really. The juries were entirely different for the NF so it would make sense the ranking might look differently. Plus the difference in the televoting score suggests Pasha’s performance was way above the others, it would make sense the juries thought the same way. Certainly much more sense than the conspiracy theory you’re suggesting.

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
1 year ago

An ethnic song with rhythm and a melody. Spain 2023 take note please

Lumostark
Lumostark
1 year ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

There’s plenty of melody and rythm in Spain’s song and Blanca can actually sing

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
1 year ago
Reply to  Lumostark

I’ve know doubt she can belt out a tune. Vocals are strong. The entry is just tuneless.

Man
Man
1 year ago
Reply to  Lumostark

She can’t sing, she screeming

Jonkonfui
Jonkonfui
1 year ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

You just seem to hate Spain for whatever reason or lack of. And the sad thing is that you are Spanish yourself.

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
1 year ago
Reply to  Jonkonfui

I don’t hate Spain. I don’t hate the singer i really do not like their entry this year. It’s overated and just noise.

Mbappe
Mbappe
1 year ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

You’ve got an extremely narrow-minded and obtuse view about music in general, well done.

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
1 year ago
Reply to  Mbappe

No it’s just that i don’t require a hearing test

Miliyoly
Miliyoly
1 year ago
Reply to  ANDREW BROWN

Take what? She will end up higher than him for sure

ANDREW BROWN
ANDREW BROWN
1 year ago
Reply to  Miliyoly

I really hope if Moldova qualify its placed in the running order back to back with Spain

Irishfan
Irishfan
1 year ago

I thought the performance was a bit OTT and the song is a bit hard on the ears also. At least it not another mummy sunstroke project song….how they thought they could go with pretty much the same thing again is baffling.