TVR: Selectia Nationala Final to be held at Sala Polivalenta in Craiova

As we revealed last week, the Romanian National Final will be held on 8 March. However, the city and venue were not known at the time. Romanian broadcaster TVR has announced today that the southern city of Craiova will host the event at Sala Polivalenta (Polyvalent Hall).

According to a TVR press release, several cities battled for the honour to host the Selectia Nationala Final. Craiova was chosen for two reasons. First, Sala Polivalenta was inaugurated fairly recently (in 2012), and has a 4,000-seating capacity and all the facilities that are necessary for this kind of event. Second, Craiova is currently bidding for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2021, which will be decided this year.

Selectia Nationala fans have mixed opinions about this. Craiova is a less picturesque city than Brasov was last year and is geographically less accessible because it is not in the centre of the country and further away from Bucharest. On the other hand, the chosen venue is considered by many more appropriate than last year’s theatre, as its greater capacity ensures that more fans will be able to attend. (Sica Alexandrescu Theatre in Brasov had a measly 750-seat capacity.)

We find it interesting that TVR is choosing to move the selection from the capital and we welcome the change. Bucharest is nice, but we are interested to see what else the country has to offer. And a national final that is not held in a TV studio has a certain appeal, as we could see last year.

TVR is in the process of receiving submissions until 8 February. The jury will then select up to 12 songs that will be presented during a press conference on 12 February, ahead of the National Final on 8 March.

Here is the TVR promo for the Eurovision submissions, featuring Mihai Traistariu, Luminita Anghel, Paula Seling and Ovi:

Who do you hope to see in Craiova on the 8th of March?

Follow all of our Romania Eurovision news here.

Photo: polivalentacraiova.ro, Marius Godeanu