Shortly after broadcaster TVR confirmed that Romania will participate in Eurovision 2018, the Romanian press are reporting that Cluj-Napoca, the capital of Transylvania, is likely to host Selectia Nationala 2018. The shows are to be staged in the spacious and modern Sala Polivalenta, and we also have the preliminary dates of the national selection: 19 January to 11 February.
Keeping its promise to plan ahead this time around, it seems like TVR is indeed taking Eurovision seriously for 2018. Emboldened by a top 10 finish in 2017, Romania seems keen to show that it can be a real contender for the trophy. And it’s chosen Ilinca’s hometown of Cluj-Napoca for the first step of the Eurovision 2018 journey.
You may remember the city, also known simply as Cluj, from the video for “Yodel It!”, Ilinca and Alex Florea’s song that represented Romania at Eurovision 2017 in Kyiv and finished 7th on the scoreboard.
According to local media, the city hall of Cluj-Napoca has been approached by the public broadcaster with the offer of hosting Selectia Nationala 2018. Mayor Emil Boc, who also submitted a bid in 2015, seems eager to capitalise on the success of the Eurovision brand, and has released a statement fully supporting this idea:
We think that the presence of such a prestigious event in Cluj-Napoca represents one of the most significant ways of promoting our city both at the national and international level.
Likely venue: Cluj-Napoca’s Sala Polivalenta
Details of this proposal will be discussed in the coming week, but the most likely venue for the shows has already been announced: Sala Polivalenta. The 10,000-person capacity arena, built in 2014, regularly hosts sports events and pop concerts.
According to the same source, Cluj-Napoca city hall will have to fork out 550,000 lei (approximately €120,000) in order to host the event. Similar sums were allotted for the national selection in 2015 and 2016 by the municipalities of Craiova and Baia Mare.
There is no word yet whether Selectia Nationala 2018 will include more than one show, but the National Final is scheduled for Sunday, 11 February.
What do you think? Are you excited about the prospect of Cluj-Napoca hosting Romania’s national selection? Let us know in the comments!
READ MORE ROMANIA EUROVISION NEWS HERE
…as long as the minimum age doesn’t get raised to 18.
In Cluj will be Untold this week so yes is the best choice
Send Ovidiu with another great rock song!
Lol…..had he gone Greece and B&H wouldn’t have been the only countries in 2016 to have not qualified for the final for the first time.
of course he would have made it! Great hardrock song, and wonderful voice…it was real honest quality music. Greece should have qualified too…so much better than their generic, cheesy samey dancepoplatino songs
I can tell you, this would be the best choice for Romania. Cluj is the best city in that country (I’ve already been there last year for the Untold) and it was my greatest experience in a foreign city/country so far. Hope this is not just a rumour… Go Cluj go
Please burry the yodel and bring something with quality for a change
they did in 2016…but had to withdraw!
The yodel was OK for me…but not great music of course
Yuckraine should’ve hosted eurovision in chernobyl or donetsk
I remember Romanian national final in 2016 it was so boring with bad camera shoots and songs. For 2018 national selection this venue looks good and of course city. I want from all participating countries to organize creativity national finals in high standarts.
Well I know one Alex who will be happy with this news
I honestly hope they serve sex and originality. Romania has such an awesome music industry and had they sent Mr. Saxobeat in 2011 they would’ve won by a landslide.
In 2017 the final was on March 5, in 2018 the final will be on February 11,I like it’s earlier, February 11 was the day when Francesco Gabbani won Sanremo, maybe it’s a lucky day.
I just hope that no more yodeling this year… Whising Paula will return.
Wish Paula and Ovi come back and win SN2018
Nah, hopefully we see a new face. Stop thinking of those who have had a chance and let’s discover new talents. Otherwise we wouldn’t have people like Blanche slaying out of nowhere.
Well agree with you as well, but still.
Agree
People should vote for a song and not just keep making known artists win their NF!!