Introduction

Romania is always celebrating its national final for Eurovision. Due to the fact that Romania has always passed the semi finals in the previous years, it can be said that this is one of the most successful countries recently. Romania has never won the contest, but made three top 3 places. With this enthusiasm and a good hand in choosing songs Romania is on the right way to win it one day.

This year there will be the same singers like in Oslo 2010: the duo Paula & Ovi, who made not only a 3rd place, they also entered the charts in several European countries with “Playing With Fire”.

Paula Seiling was born in Baia Mare (Northern Romania) in 1978. She is a musician, TV celebrity and radio DJ who has already released more than 13 albums and several singles which reached top positions in the Romanian charts. From an early age Paula was playing the piano and participated in several contests, later she played and sang in bands, on music festivals, she won a lot of prices including MTV awards. She has been elected as “Woman of the Year” by a Romanian woman’s magazine. Paula also utilizes her popularity to support personal freedom and human rights. Her involvement in Eurovision is enormously, she had several attempts to enter the national final in Romania. In 2008 Paula met Ovi with whom together they won the national final in 2010.

Ovidiu „Ovi“ Cernăuțeanu was born in Botosani (North Eastern Romania) in 1974. As a child he accompanied his father in his band. Ovi’s way went from Romania to Japan and Norway, where he settled down and got married. Ovi often changed his artists name e.g. Bill Martin as he played the piano in bars in Norway and Denmark. Ovi’s first Eurovision experience was the Norwegian MGP in 2006, where he did not pass the semi finals and he tried this again and again. He released one album “This Gig Almost Got Me Killed”.

The song “Miracle” is a modern pop song, has a similar arrangement like “Playing With Fire”, maybe it’s not that strong. The voices of the two singers are very suitable with each other and together with the dynamic of the song this is a catchy tune. The song will be completely sung in English and of course there will be a piano on stage. Maybe the duo is profiting from their appearance in Oslo as they look very sympathetic and encouraged.

History

Participations: 16

Debut: 1994

Biggest success: 2x 3rd place 2005 “Let Me Try” by Luminita Anghel & Sistem, 2010 “Playing With Fire” by Paula Selving & Ovi, 1x 4th place, 1x 9th place, 1x 10th place

This year it will be the 16th time for Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest. The debut entry “Dincolo di Nori” by Dan Bittman in 1994 only made the 21st place.

Romania’s entries distinguished modern and up to date songs. With a little help of the neighbour countries, it was always possible for Romanian entries to qualify for the grand finals. Two times Romania could reach the third place with “Let me try” by Luminita Anghel & Sistem in 2005 and “Playing with Fire” by “Paula Seling & Ovi” in 2010.

Other outstanding songs were “Eu cred” by Malina Olinescu in 1998 (22nd) who passed away early 2012, “Tornero” by Miahi Traistariu in 2006 (4th) and “I admit” by Sanda Ladosi in 2004 (18th). Last year the extraordinary entry by Cezar “It’s my life” has reached the final and a 13th place.