Introduction

• Participant(s): Zdob şi Zdub & Fraţii Advahov
• Song: Trenulețul
  
• Writer(s): Mihail Gincu, Roman Iagupov, Vasile Advahov, Vitalie Advahov
• Composer(s): Mihail Gincu, Roman Iagupov, Vasile Advahov, Vitalie Advahov
• Broadcaster: TRM
  
• Social media:        
  
• Team review: 

This year there has been a national final again in Moldova. The two times representatives Zdob si Zdub could win the ticket to Turin. So it’s the third time at the Eurovision Song Contest for the punk rock band with the song “Trenuleţul”, which means ‘train’. After “Boonika Bate Toba”  (Kyiv 2005, 6th place), “So Lucky”  (Düsseldorf 2011, 12th place) it’s time for another extraordinary song: “Trenuleţul”. A song about a funny train ride from Chisinau to Bucharest:

Hey ho, Let’s go!
Folklore and Rock ‘n’ roll.
The train’s route is East to West
Chisinau – Bucharest!
Both in that land and in this
We dance hora - it's a bliss

It’s not a gimmick song, but an easy going song which takes you on a crazy trip through Europe by train. Like the other songs from the band this one is also special, even more traditional in the arrangement. This is probably also due to the famous musician Vitalie Advahov, who is known for his traditional orchestra music . It’s also a very happy and exuberant, like a Moldovan carnival.

The band exists since 1994 and is very popular in Eastern Europe, has released 10 albums and played on various festivals and live shows. The band is known for its progressive hard rock punk music. Have a look at their early performances: “Hardcore Moldovenesc” , “Tiganii si Ozn-ul”,  - for this song they received the MTV Romania Video Music Award. With “Black Eyed Peace ft Zdob si Zdub - Don't mess with Inima mea”  they caught a lot attention. This is the latest song “BALKANA MAMA” . The current band members are: Roman Iagupov (vocals, flute, ocarina, iorgaphone), Mihai Gîncu (bass, tuba, drums), Sveatoslav Staruș (guitar), Valeriu Mazîlu (trumpet, bagpipes), Victor Dandeș (trombone, flute, accordeon) and Andrei Cebotari (drums).

History

• Debut: 2005
• Participations: 17
• Victories: 0
• Finals: 11
• Top 10: 4

Moldova had its debut in the year 2005 with the extraordinary punk rock song “Boonika Bate Toba” by the legendary group Zdob si Zdub. Remember the funny grandma in her swing-chair – that was truly unique and brave! The band is very popular beyond the borders of Moldova, in many other ex-Soviet states this band enjoys a huge success. This also led to a respectable 6th place in Kiev, not bad for a debut entry. The band performed again with the extraordinary song “So Lucky” in Düsseldorf 2011 and made 12th rank. This year it’s their third attempt with “Trenuleţul”, which means ‘train’.

The best place Moldova could achieve so far in the Eurovision Song Contest with the group Sunstroke Project in 2017. The band has re-entered the contest with the song “Hey Mamma” they reached a spectacular 3rd place in Kiev! In 2010 they became 22nd with “Run Away”, the sequence with the saxophone became epic. Moldova was never been that close to victory.
This year it’s going to be the 17th time for Moldova in the ESC in Turin. The enthusiasm in this country is very high and is growing year after year. The Moldovan broadcaster TRM is organizing a national final every year normally. Last year Natalia Gordienko, who is no stranger in the ESC world, only made 13th place with “Sugar”.

Moldova is also profiting from the neighbour countries votes, Romania and Ukraine were always very generous with their points and vice versa. The Moldovan entries have often been modern with a folkloristic character. That’s why Moldova reaches the Grand Final quite often by a chance of 65%.

Biggest successes

• 1x 3rd place
  “Hey Mamma” | Sunstroke Project (Kiev 2017)
• 1x 6th place
  “Boonika Bate Toba” | Zdob și Zdub (Kiev 2005)
  
  

Video Nostalgia

• “Loca” | Arsenium & Natalia Gordienko
  Rank 20, Athens 2006
  
• “O Mie” | Aliona Moon
  Rank 11, Malmö 2013
  
• “Falling Stars” | Lidia Isac
  Rank 17 (Semi Final), Stockholm 2016
  
  

First Rehearsal