As the submission window closes for Romania’s Selectia Nationala, we have a look at the likely candidates. It seems that the artist formerly known as Mihai Traistariu has some serious competition.

Although currently we do not yet know how many artists have submitted songs to the Romanian national selection, a few of them have made their intention public.

Update: TVR announced that almost 90 songs were submitted to Selectia Nationala this year. Artists come from Romania, the US, Poland, Germany, and Spain.

Among them of course we have self-proclaimed “winner” Mihai, whose song “Paradisio” has disappointed our readers but still has a fair share of fans both at home and abroad. He remains a frontrunner and is widely expected to make it to the next stage at the very least.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDZf15ZMreA

Another familiar name is Germany-based Ramona Nerra, whose song “My Heart Is Still Winning” was rejected by the Swiss jury of Die Grosse Entscheidungsshow, but has been gathering a lot of support among Romanian Eurovision fans. The entry is written by Mihai Alexandru, who is behind last year’s Timebelle song “Singing About Love” and Nicola’s 2003 Eurovision entry “Don’t Break My Heart”, which brought Romania in the Top 10 for the first time.

Otilia, who became megafamous with her infectious hit song “Bilionera”, has submitted a ballad entitled “Iubire adevarata” (True Love). If it wins Selectia Nationala, her manager says that Otilia will sing it in English in Stockholm.

Last year’s contestants Ovidiu Anton and Cristina Vasiu have also thrown their hats in the ring, but have not made their songs public.

Update: Ovidiu’s song is here. Asked whether “Moment Of Silence” is a tribute to the victims of the Colectiv culb fire in Bucharest, which killed 63 people at a rock concert last year, the singer told wiwibloggs that he wouldn’t like to use that tragedy for publicity. He could only express his regret that his inspiration came from “OUR reality”.

Also, Alex Mica, who rose to pop stardom with the highly successful hit “Dalinda” a few years ago, announced that he submitted not one but two songs to Selectia Nationala. Another big popstar name is Doru Todorut from Deepcentral, who reportedly sent a song together with opera singer Irina Baiant. The latter performed with the season four winner of The Voice of Romania, stealing the show with her beauty and incredible pipes.

Speaking of The Voice, 2015 contestant Nora Denes submitted two songs to Selectia Nationala together with the band The Fridays“The Reason” and “We Need More”.

Bijou is another well-known Romanian singer who submitted this ballad:

Spanish singer Sara Serena has also reportedly submitted “Asylum”. Sara refused to comment when she was reached for comment, which makes Romanian fans hopeful that she did send the song.

Last but certainly not least, Sasha Bognibov announced that he submitted the song “Insane (Against Corruption)” to the Romanian selection. The Moldovan artist’s song was previously rejected at O melodie pentru Europa 2016.

There are, of course, other less known names who announced thir bids for Selectia Nationala, among them Cristi Nistor, Vasilica Ceterasu & Amalia Ursu, Mike, Antract,  Rucsy, Trupa Jukebox, and Sorana & Tudor. Contrary to different reports in the media, Claudia Pavel has not sent “Privilege” to the Romanian contest. Other rumoured names are Vizi Imre, Lucia, and Judah Gavra (with two songs). It remains to be seen if any of these names are officially confirmed.

The next stage is an internal audition of the songs by the yet unknown expert jury, who will announce the 12 semi-finalists this Thursday, 11 February. The semi-final is scheduled for 4 March, while the winner will be selected of out six finalists by televoters on 6 March.

New host city: Baia Mare

This year, broadcaster TVR continues the tradition of hosting Selectia Nationala away from capital Bucharest, after Brasov in 2014 and Craiova in 2015, by choosing Paula Seling’s home town of Baia Mare, located in northern Romania. The chosen venue is Lascar Pana Sports Hall, with a capacity of over 2,000 spectators. The mayor there has vowed to make it a memorable selection and, in what proved to be a major selling point for financially strained TVR, the municipality will pay for the transport and accommodation of all the artists and staff.

What are your hopes for Selectia Nationala 2016? Who are you rooting for?

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23 Comments
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Sasha Bognibov
8 years ago

My song “Insane (Against Corruption)” is in top 18 Eurovision Romania according to the jury points.

Sasha Bognibov
8 years ago

piesa mea “Insane (Against Corruption) conform punctajului juriului din Romania e printre primele 18 piese din 94. Aceasta este inca o dovada ca in Republica Moldova toti acesti 10 ani am fost subestimat si discriminat. De exemplu, daca in semifinala Romaniei participau 24 de piese asa cum in Moldova anul acesta, as fi intrat in semifinala.

Mihnea
Mihnea
8 years ago

I hope one day at least one of our big names in the music industry will join and send great songs. We have plenty of artists and a lot of songs, but when it comes to Eurovision no one apply. Awful.

Mila
Mila
8 years ago
AurelianTamisan
AurelianTamisan
8 years ago

Romania could finally win it this year. Ovidiu Anton’s song is magnificent!

Sparrow
Sparrow
8 years ago

Mihai does have some competition..for last place.
I hope they have some better entries in there somewhere

oooops
oooops
8 years ago

So ELLE didn’t make it

Donna
Donna
8 years ago

I’m taking Sasha Bognibov over Mihai any day. At least that guy didn’t ruin our expectations with a music video full of cheap effects. Plus, we need more rock songs in Eurovision just as much as we need less ballads.

MarioMario
8 years ago

Hopefully Mihai doesn’t win. His song is horrendous.

I'll Be Back
I'll Be Back
8 years ago

Thanks again =D

I'll Be Back
I'll Be Back
8 years ago

Does anyone here know when the Romanian entries will be released officially?

Lanti
8 years ago

@Robyn
I hope Sasha makes it to the televised round someday

DR
DR
8 years ago

Leaf
According to the UK press she was miming to a backing singer. The one dressed in blue standing at the back of the stage, that was given no camera time. Most backing singers get at least a few seconds air time. She got nothing. That’s not the only reason they gave, but it is suspicious.

Leaf
Leaf
8 years ago

Is there a way for Elena Gheorge to comeback in the next few years?

I loved “Balkan Girls” !!!!!!!!!

Petar
8 years ago

Oh my god, I was listening to Ramonas song. Awesome instrumental, but the chorus.. OMG so powerful I got chills!!!

I'll Be Back
I'll Be Back
8 years ago

@Bogdan Honciuc, shame.

Thiefo
8 years ago

Robyn saying something about Sasha in 3…2…1… 😛

We love Paula Seling
We love Paula Seling
8 years ago

Dear admin, please delete my previous comments 🙂 i wanted to ad a “heart” for Ramona Nerra, because i love her song, but i end up with 2 question marks 🙂

Ramona to win!!!

kostas stathopoulos
kostas stathopoulos
8 years ago

Ramona Nerra should win. I love her song

Radu
Radu
8 years ago

Antract

The group, founded by Bobi?? C?tu?anu when he was just 14, has grown immensely from an artistic standpoint in its thirty years of activity, and has accumulated a great deal of experience earned through countless concerts throughout the country. Antract has also performed at some of the most important rock events in Romanian history, alongside true gods of rock such as: Uriah Heep, Ian Gillan band, Jethro Tull, Saxon, Paradise Lost, Ronnie James Dio, Monster Magnet, Metallica and Helloween. 🙂 http://www.antract.ro/en/biography/
http://www.antract.ro

I'll Be Back
I'll Be Back
8 years ago

No mention of Paula Seling & Ovi then 🙁