Twenty years after its first participation in the European song competition, Moldova announces that it will not see it this year.
The director of the Moldova 1 channel, which broadcasts the event, invokes financial, but also artistic reasons.
He promises “a significant reform of the selection process” of his representative to hope to take the show again.
She would have celebrated the 20ᵉ anniversary of her very first participation in the event which brings together nearly 200 million viewers each year. But Moldova will not send anyone in Basel, Switzerland, in mid-May for the 69ᵉ edition of Eurovision. The fault of a substantial budget, but not only. “National final, production of the show, promotion of artists, team trip … We are talking about rather high costs”said the director of the Moldova 1 channel, Corneliu Durnescu, who also talks about artistic reasons.
“The national selection for this year’s Eurovision has highlighted several challenges, including a drop in public interest and a decrease in the general quality of songs and performance. This situation has favored a negative perception among specialists and the public, emphasizing the need for significant reform of the selection process “he said. The twelve candidates who hoped to represent their country in the European song competition will appreciate.
A sax that was worth millions …
The Moldova 1 chain reflects on “Review the selection criteria (…) in order to encourage a greater participation of talented artists and guarantee a more coherent and more competitive cultural representation on the international scene”. Eurovision aficionados have not forgotten the most iconic Moldovan candidates. In 2010, Sunstroke Project finished in 22ᵉ place, but had become viral with its saxophone interlude, with more than 62 million views. The group had returned seven years later, settling in the third step of the podium. Or the best ranking of Moldova.
With AFP, Martin Österdahl, Executive Supervisor “Sorry” to learn the withdrawal of Moldova that he “Hope to welcome again” In 2026. “We are determined to come back in force to Eurovision, supporting people who aspire to reach the big stages and giving them the opportunity to prepare better”assures Daniela Crudu, head of the Moldavian delegation, cited by Moldova 1.
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