Moldova to choose on 6th March

So TRM, the Moldovan public broadcaster, has decided to have two semifinals on the 27th and 28th of February. These will be followed a week later by the national final. 25 songs are already through to the semifinals, and 5 other songs have been chosen by text vote to join them. This means 15 songs in each semi. It isn’t known yet how many will go through from each to the final.

Moldova made their debut in Eurovision as recently as 2005. That year they surprised many by coming 6th, with Zdob si Zdub and their memorable drumming grandmother. I wasn’t a huge fan of the song (not my cup of tea) but it was grand for what it was.

They’ve had some great songs and some dull ones since. I especially love 2007 (Natalia Barbu, ‘Fight’) and 2009 (Nelly Ciobanu, ‘Hora Din Moldova’). 2006 and 2008 were completely forgettable. Which, by my logic, suggests a not-so-great entry this year!

Anyway, here is Nelly from last year – with one of the best ‘ethnic’ songs I’ve heard at ESC!