Wiwibloggs continues our series looking at the countries currently competing in the Eurovision Song Contest and why we love them — for all the right (and sometimes wrong) reasons. Today it’s the turn of everyone’s favourite post-Soviet, Romanian-speaking, wine producing, trumpet blaring republic: Moldova.

Moldova may be the poorest country in Europe, but they certainly ain’t lacking in Eurovision gold! Throughout the years the country has seen a real mix of results – although one thing they’ve never failed to do is offer up something different and give us an entry to remember. So without any further ado, here are 10 reasons why we love Moldova at the Eurovision Song Contest. 

1. Cray cray staging

One thing Moldova will never let you down in is putting on an unforgettable stage show that breaks all laws of traditional music performance. Over the years we’ve seen teddy bears, unicycles, gravity-defying dresses, clothing removals, wig removals, slutty policewomen, astronauts, brides and identical triplets…and we still probably haven’t even covered half of it. They really pull out all the stops, and for that we applaud you Moldova!

2. The original babushka

Russia’s Buranovskiye Babushki may hold the title for the most famous grandmas at Eurovision, but it was in fact Zdob și Zdub who pioneered the idea for Moldova’s debut in the contest in 2005. Their entry, “Boonika bate doba” – translating to “Grandma beats the drum” – featured a heart melting, golden-toothed grandma, smirking away in her rocking chair and beating her beloved drum.

3. They promote local songwriting talent

Moldova like keeping it in the republica y’all! Just three of Moldova’s fourteen entries have been produced outside the country – a fact that, sadly, can’t be said for many other countries at Eurovision nowadays. However, it is worth mentioning that these foreign-produced songs were all very recent; in 2015, 2016 and 2018. Please make sure you don’t ever sell your soul to the Swedes!

4. They supply groups galore

Whilst once upon a time, bands were what ruled Eurovision, their popularity has continued to fade over the years, with solo singers holding a large majority nowadays. However, six of Moldova’s fourteen Eurovision entries (that’s 43%) have been performed by groups – an achievement that is only matched by Romania, Finland and Switzerland (excluding duos) since Moldova’s debut.

5. They’ve given us some iconic lyrics

Moldova always blesses us with lyrical mastery. There’s no better way to explain this one than giving some of this wiwiblogger’s personal favourites:

  • “She’s a slapping Miss Blackman, gimme some more” (2005)
  • “Just like from advertise you came down from the skies on a plane which belongs to your daddy” (2012)
  • “Flashes, ray ban glasses, I move with ease in my convertible breeze” (2011)
  • “The green leaf of a pea plant, more” (2009)
  • “She’s a little bit loco, a little bit cocoa. A little bit tall, yo, a little bit small, yo.” (2006)
  • “Who’s the Beatles? Where from is Peter Pan? Who’s the gypsy Jimi Hendrix? She don’t care, that Mrs. L.” (2005)

6. They stick to their roots

In a contest often criticised for becoming more and more westernised, Moldova is a country you can almost always count on to bring the ethnic flavour. Even when the country refrains from singing in its native Romanian, you can still expect the sound of sensual traditional trumpets and the jovial sight of wacky folkloric dances and colourful national costumes.

7. Epic Sax Guy

Moldova brought Eurovision to the eyes of non-Europeans, after Sunstroke Project’s Sergey Stepanov – AKA Epic Sax Guy – went viral with his 30-second saxophone solo in their 2010 entry “Run Away”. The original clip has now racked up over 50 million views, as well as being remixed in numerous ways, such as ‘Gandalf Sax Guy’ and even a (slightly repetitive) 10-hour version.

Image result for eurovision moldova

8. They bring the fun factor

One could say that Moldova is a very uncompetitive country at Eurovision – they appear to be far less bothered about giving us a serious performance that’s in with a shot at winning, and much more interested in bringing smiles to our faces. In fact, only twice has Moldova has only sent us ballads: in 2008 and 2013. And as touching as ballads can be, who doesn’t love some good old fashioned fun?

9. O melodie pentru Europa

Undoubtedly one of the highlights of the national final season is Moldova’s O melodie pentru Europa. We’ve been graced with titles as promising as “Universal Cow”, “We’ll Gonna Rock”, “The Mole Girl” and “Freaky Thong” – and some stage performances that leave you with your mouth gaping wide open. And we are never short of drama, such as the alleged rigged win of Eduard Romanyuta in 2015, or the three-way tie in 2006 resulting in a second national final being held: with two of the original winners withdrawing. And then there’s Sasha Bognibov

10. They are on the up

In 2014 Moldova finished slap-bang-last in their semi, marking the start of a dark era in Moldova’s Eurovision history. However, after a hat-trick of non-qualifications, Moldova came back fighting with the return of Epic Sax Guy and friends and placed third – the country’s best result ever. DoReDoS continued this trend this year, securing Moldova another top 10 finish. Has Eurovision got itself a new powerhouse?

Bonus fact!

In 2007, Moldova initially planned to withdraw from the contest due to lack of funding. However, after pressure from mass-media they made a last-minute application — under the condition that artists funded all of their own expenses (apart from the participation fee). In spite of their monetary issues, TRM did offer that if the selected artist made the top 10, then they would cover the full costs of their Eurovision journey. And what place did Natalia Barbu finish? Tenth…by 3 points. What a bittersweet night for TRM!

What do you think? Why do you love Moldova at Eurovision? Let us know in the comments box below!

Follow all our Moldova Eurovision news here

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AngieP
AngieP
5 years ago

The thing I like most about Moldova is their debut entry and this crazy song with the lovely grandma! I loved loved loved this entry!!

Besides, Moldova has given us the Epic Sax Guy, Aliona’s great staging in 2013.
Moldova laso tries to showcase its culture from time to time and that’s good. We don’t need all songs to be similar. We need authenticity!

About the lyrics, the 2006 entry was a bit mess. The 2012 entry had weird lyrics but it was so fun!!

Jo.
Jo.
5 years ago

Martini
whiskey on the rocks
life on the top
my party never stops!

Gurl
Gurl
5 years ago

Zdob Si Zdub – Boonika Bate Toba – amazing song and staging, my all time favourite!

noone
noone
5 years ago

The songs are always bad, we all know that, but then the staging comes and it’s just awesome! I really hated DoReDos, when I heard it it was my last place, but then I saw them in the Semi and I wanted them to win. The same was with Hey Mamma, Hora Din Moldova, Lautar, Run Away, So Lucky, Loca. They stage it so perfectly, especially 2018, 2011 and 2012. And with O Mie in 2013 they actually had a great song. Moldova is fun and crazy and hopefully it stays that way, we have Belgium now for dark/alternative stuff.

Bertie
Bertie
5 years ago

I am unsure about Moldova. They come across as quite unusual and can make a show out of very little resources that they have, but is that enough to love them? They should bring more artistic values instead of stage props, projection mapped dresses, saxophones, astronauts, rocking chairs and cops in latex shorts. We have seen all of those – thanks – but now we want to hear some music from them. Possible?

Chad
Chad
5 years ago
Reply to  Bertie

Lol, are you actually watching Eurovision because of artistic values?

Emily
Emily
5 years ago

There’s only one song from Moldova that I didn’t like, and that’s 2008 (2006 and 2014 were a bit blah as well but at least they were just about tolerable). I’ve always had a soft spot for Zdob si Zdub and I just remember cheering because we gave them big points in 2011! I guess they’ve always suited our sense of humour… or at least mine 😉

pp77
pp77
5 years ago

For me Moldova send better song in Eurovision than Romania.
My TOP 3 song from Moldova 2009 than 2017, 2012. I also like song from 2005, 2007,2010,2013

Daniel
Daniel
5 years ago

YES PLEASE! I Want Moldova to be the New Powerhouse!

Joe
Joe
5 years ago

Moldova are here to have fun, and I love that. They’ve never sent anything of winner caliber, but who cares? It’s hard to think of a Moldovan entry I haven’t watched with a big dopey smile on my face. The best is probably the awesome, ethnic, and quintessentially-Eurovision “Hora din Moldova,” which has the second-best mid-song breakdown in Eurovision history. A triumph of staging and music, worthy of the two 12 points it picked up. Much like that other great song about horas Israel sent (note to competing countries: send more horas!).

Hrvatska
Hrvatska
5 years ago

Moldova Aliona Moon O Mie and Nelly Ciobanu Hora Din Moldova i love

Roelof Meesters
Roelof Meesters
5 years ago

One of My faves in Eurovision! They are always Fun and original, and When they use the trumpet they always Slay! 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2018 were all really great and if Moldova keeps up their streak of great entries from the last two years, they Will hopefully finish second soon (Please don’t let them host, I’m not ready for that). Also, props to their props, Moldova’s 2018 performance was one of the best performances This year.

Love Moldova
Love Moldova
5 years ago

Moldova brings the original spirit of esc, and if it seems like trolling, maybe you don’t understand esc.
@Bogdan Honciuc, why don’t you write about Golden Stag? Eleni Foureira will have a concert there.

Miro
Miro
5 years ago

One of mythe favourite countries in ESC. So original, fun, and brave. <3

Netta
5 years ago

They might not always have the best songs, but Moldova always lifts a song up with their amazing staging!

Eastman
Eastman
5 years ago

Most years Moldova seems like a troll nation, but then you look at all the effort they’ve put into their staging and it’s not total trolling. Cristina Scarlat’s dancers were brilliant (and smokin hot) but sadly overshadowed by her weave rip.