Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest#Heads of delegation
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}
{{Short description|none}}
{{Infobox song contest country
| Name = Romania
| Contest = ESC
| Broadcaster = {{lang|ro|Televiziunea Română|i=unset}} (TVR)
| Apps = 23 (19 finals)
| First = {{Escyr|1994}}
| Highest = 3rd: {{Escyr|2005}}, {{Escyr|2010}}
| Website = [http://eurovision.tvr.ro/ TVR's official website]
| Current = 2023
| Last = {{Escyr|2023}}
}}
Romania has been represented at the Eurovision Song Contest 23 times since its debut in {{escyr|1994}}, and has placed in the top ten six times. Its best results were achieved with "Let Me Try" by Luminița Anghel and Sistem in {{escyr|2005}}, and "Playing with Fire" by Paula Seling and Ovi in {{escyr|2010}}, who both finished in third place. The Romanian participating broadcaster in the contest is {{lang|ro|Televiziunea Română|i=unset}} (TVR), which select its entrant with {{lang|ro|Selecția Națională}},{{efn|name=contest}} a song contest organised every year since 1993,{{efn|name=2020i|Only the song was chosen through {{lang|ro|Selecția Națională}} in 2020, with the artist having been internally selected.}} except for {{escyr|2021}}.
In {{escyr|1993}}, the year before its first appearance, Romania attempted to debut in the contest, but came last in the qualifying round. After successfully joining the following year, poor placements followed until 2002, resulting in several relegations. This changed with the introduction of semi-finals to the contest in 2004, after which Romania reached the final 14 times, failing to qualify from the semi-finals in {{escyr|2018}}, {{escyr|2019}}, {{escyr|2021}}, and {{escyr|2023}}, the latter finishing with no points.
Contest history
File:Paula Seling & Ovi ESC 2010.jpg and Ovi (pictured) placed third with their 2010 entry "Playing with Fire".|alt=A man and a woman sitting at a table and smiling at the camera.]]
{{lang|ro|Televiziunea Română|i=unset}} (TVR) is a full member of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) since 1 January 1993, thus eligible to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest since then. It has participated in the contest representing Romania since its {{escyr|1994||39th edition}} in 1994. Before becoming a member of the EBU, TVR had broadcast the contest several times during the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s.{{Cite book |last=Roxburgh |first=Gordon |title=Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest |date=2012 |publisher=Telos Publishing |isbn=978-1-84583-065-6 |series=Volume One: The 1950s and 1960s |location=Prestatyn |pages=369–381}}{{Cite book |last=Roxburgh |first=Gordon |title=Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest |date=2014 |publisher=Telos Publishing |isbn=978-1-84583-093-9 |series=Volume Two: The 1970s |location=Prestatyn |pages=352–365}}{{Cite book |last=Roxburgh |first=Gordon |title=Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest |date=2016 |publisher=Telos Publishing |isbn=978-1-84583-118-9 |series=Volume Three: The 1980s |location=Prestatyn |pages=86–103}}{{Cite book |last=Roxburgh |first=Gordon |title=Songs For Europe - The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=Telos Publishing |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-84583-163-9 |series=Volume Four: The 1990s |location=UK |pages=65–76}}
TVR unsuccessfully attempted to debut in the {{escyr|1993||1993 contest}}, selecting "Nu pleca" by Dida Drăgan for the qualifying round {{lang|sl|Kvalifikacija za Millstreet}} ({{langx|en|Preselection for Millstreet|i=yes}}); Drăgan came in last place.{{Cite news |last=Mincan, Mihai |date=18 May 2013 |title=Prima participare a României la Eurovision: "capcana culturală" Dida Drăgan |language=ro |trans-title=Romania's first participation at Eurovision: the "cultural trap" Dida Drăgan |work=Adevărul |url=http://adevarul.ro/entertainment/muzica/prima-participare-romaniei-eurovision-capcana-culturala-dida-dragan-1_51978f6c053c7dd83fac038a/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140702232050/http://adevarul.ro/entertainment/muzica/prima-participare-romaniei-eurovision-capcana-culturala-dida-dragan-1_51978f6c053c7dd83fac038a/index.html |archive-date=2 July 2014}} A non-qualification was also achieved in {{escyr|1996}} when there was a qualifying round for all countries excluding hosts Norway.{{Cite news |title=Rumänien: Monica Anghel und Marcel Pavel |language=de |trans-title=Romania: Monica Anghel and Marcel Pavel |publisher=ARD |url=https://www.eurovision.de/teilnehmer/Rumaenien-Monica-Anghel-und-Marcel-Pavel,monicaanghel101.html |url-status=live |access-date=10 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210165129/https://www.eurovision.de/teilnehmer/Rumaenien-Monica-Anghel-und-Marcel-Pavel,monicaanghel101.html |archive-date=10 February 2018}}{{Cite news |title=Facts and Figures |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/facts-and-figures |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314233707/https://eurovision.tv/about/facts-and-figures |archive-date=14 March 2021}} The Eurovision site does not count either year in Romania's list of appearances.{{Cite news |title=Romania – Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU) |url=https://eurovision.tv/country/romania |url-status=live |access-date=15 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513230046/https://eurovision.tv/country/romania |archive-date=13 May 2017}} The country's first official participation occurred in {{escyr|1994}} with "Dincolo de nori" by Dan Bittman placing 21st in the contest's final. The following years saw similar low placements and non-participations in {{escyr|1995}}, {{escyr|1997}}, {{escyr|1999}}, and {{escyr|2001}}.
Romania's first top ten result was achieved in {{escyr|2002}}, when "Tell Me Why" by Monica Anghel and Marcel Pavel finished ninth. The country placed within the top 20 every year from {{escyr|2004}} to {{escyr|2015}}, claiming third place in {{escyr|2005}} with "Let Me Try" by Luminița Anghel and Sistem. {{As of|2023|post=,}} this remains Romania's best result in the contest, alongside "Playing with Fire" by Paula Seling and Ovi in {{escyr|2010}}, which also finished third. Since 2010, the country's only other top ten placement was in {{escyr|2017}}, when "Yodel It!" by Ilinca and Alex Florea reached seventh place. {{escyr|2019}} was TVR's first year to significantly invest in a performance; the costs for the use of graphics and special effects during the show for "On a Sunday" by Ester Peony amounted to 100,000 euros.{{Cite news |date=3 May 2019 |title=Romania: Significant Investments Made in Special Staging Effects |publisher=Eurovoix |url=https://eurovoix.com/2019/05/03/romania-significant-investments-made-in-special-staging-effects/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504192959/https://eurovoix.com/2019/05/03/romania-significant-investments-made-in-special-staging-effects/ |archive-date=4 May 2019}}{{Cite news |date=3 May 2019 |title=Bugetul pentru show-urile României la Eurovision este de 100.000 de euro |language=ro |trans-title=The budget for Romania's shows at Eurovision amounts to 100,000 euro |publisher=Romania24 |url=https://romania24.ro/bugetul-pentru-show-urile-romaniei-la-eurovision-este-de-100-000-de-euro-29152.html |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504194703/https://romania24.ro/bugetul-pentru-show-urile-romaniei-la-eurovision-este-de-100-000-de-euro-29152.html |archive-date=4 May 2019}} Romania had previously introduced the first-ever use of overlays at Eurovision in {{escyr|2014}}.{{Cite news |date=22 May 2015 |title=60 years of Eurovision in 8 tech-aways |publisher=Progressive Digital Media Technology News |id={{ProQuest|1682870447}}}} {{subscription required}}
Romania has participated in the contest 23 times, having qualified for the final 14 times since the introduction of the semi-finals in 2004, failing to qualify in {{escyr|2018}}, {{escyr|2019}}, {{escyr|2021}}, and {{escyr|2023}}. In 2016, the EBU suspended TVR from all its member services due to the repeated non-payment of debts and the threat of insolvency. This in turn disqualified their 2016 entry, "Moment of Silence" by Ovidiu Anton, from participating in the contest.{{Cite web |date=22 April 2016 |title=TVR (Romania) no longer entitled to take part in Eurovision 2016 |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=tvr_romania_no_longer_entitled_to_take_part_in_eurovision_2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422103747/http://www.eurovision.tv/page/news?id=tvr_romania_no_longer_entitled_to_take_part_in_eurovision_2016 |archive-date=22 April 2016 |access-date=22 April 2016 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}{{Cite news |date=22 April 2016 |title=Romania, descalificata de la Eurovision din cauza datoriilor TVR. Ce alte urmari ar putea avea decizia EBU |language=ro |trans-title=Romania, disqualified from Eurovision because of TVR's debts. See what consequences EBU's decision could have |publisher=Pro TV |url=https://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/actualitate/romania-a-fost-descalificata-de-la-eurovision-2016-din-cauza-doatoriei-fata-de-ebu.html |url-status=live |access-date=15 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516030358/http://stirileprotv.ro/stiri/actualitate/romania-a-fost-descalificata-de-la-eurovision-2016-din-cauza-doatoriei-fata-de-ebu.html |archive-date=16 May 2017}}{{Cite web |last=Albinsson |first=Mathilde |date=22 April 2016 |title=Efter uteslutningen av Rumänien i Eurovision – nu rasar fansen |trans-title=After the Romanian disqualification – the fans are raging |url=http://www.svt.se/melodifestivalen/om-esc/efter-uteslutningen-av-rumanien-i-eurovision-song-contest-2016-nu-rasar-fansen |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424065009/https://www.svt.se/melodifestivalen/om-esc/efter-uteslutningen-av-rumanien-i-eurovision-song-contest-2016-nu-rasar-fansen |archive-date=24 April 2016 |access-date=17 May 2016 |publisher=Sveriges Television |language=sv}}{{Cite news |last=Arvunescu, Victor |date=15 May 2016 |title=Ovidiu Anton, despre rezultatul Eurovision 2016: "Dacă nu eşti controversat, nu exişti în showbiz" |language=ro |trans-title=Ovidiu Anton, about Eurovision 2016: "If you don't have controversy, you don't exist" |work=Adevărul |url=https://adevarul.ro/entertainment/muzica/ovidiu-anton-despre-rezultatul-eurovision-2016-daca-nu-controversat-nu-existi-showbiz-1_57389ecc5ab6550cb8f6b386/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=13 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170903033142/http://adevarul.ro/entertainment/muzica/ovidiu-anton-despre-rezultatul-eurovision-2016-daca-nu-controversat-nu-existi-showbiz-1_57389ecc5ab6550cb8f6b386/index.html |archive-date=3 September 2017}} Although TVR had selected "Alcohol You" by Roxen to be performed in {{escyr|2020}},{{Cite news |last=Luukela, Sami |date=1 March 2020 |title=Roxen to sing "Alcohol You" in Rotterdam! |publisher=ESCXtra |url=https://escxtra.com/2020/03/01/roxen-to-sing-alcohol-you-in-rotterdam/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301215800/https://escxtra.com/2020/03/01/roxen-to-sing-alcohol-you-in-rotterdam/ |archive-date=1 March 2020}} the contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite news |date=18 March 2020 |title=Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam is cancelled |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2020-in-rotterdam-is-cancelled |url-status=live |access-date=18 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200408073040/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2020-in-rotterdam-is-cancelled |archive-date=8 April 2020}} Roxen was internally selected for 2021 nonetheless, performing "Amnesia".{{Cite news |date=31 March 2020 |title=TVR a decis: Roxen va reprezenta Romania la Eurovision Song Contest 2021 |language=ro |publisher=Romanian Television |url=http://eurovision.tvr.ro/2020/tvr-a-decis-roxen-va-reprezenta-romania-la-eurovision-song-contest-2021_26787.html |url-status=live |access-date=31 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415141921/http://eurovision.tvr.ro/2020/tvr-a-decis-roxen-va-reprezenta-romania-la-eurovision-song-contest-2021_26787.html |archive-date=15 April 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Smith, David |date=4 March 2021 |title=Romania: Roxen releases "Amnesia" music video…confirms it's her entry for Eurovision 2021 |publisher=Wiwibloggs |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/03/04/romania-roxen-releases-amnesia-music-video-confirms-its-her-entry-for-eurovision-2021/262864/ |url-status=live |access-date=5 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210304163818/https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/03/04/romania-roxen-releases-amnesia-music-video-confirms-its-her-entry-for-eurovision-2021/262864/ |archive-date=4 March 2021}} After failing to qualify for the final in four out of its latest five participations, Romania opted not to take part in the {{escyr|2024|3=2024 contest}}.{{Cite web |title=CA al SRTv nu a aprobat participarea la Eurovision 2024 |trans-title=The Board of Directors of SRTV did not approve the participation in Eurovision 2024 |url=http://www.tvr.ro/ca-al-srtv-nu-a-aprobat-participarea-la-eurovision-2024_44394.html |access-date=2024-01-25 |website=tvr.ro |publisher=TVR |language=ro}} The country did not return to the {{escyr|2025}} contest either.{{cite web |title=Eurovision 2025: 38 broadcasters participating in Basel |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2025-38-broadcasters |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |access-date=12 December 2024 |language=en |date=12 December 2024}}
Selection process and accolades
Since 1993, TVR organises {{lang|ro|Selecția Națională}},{{efn|name=contest|Pronounced {{IPA|ro|seˈlektsi.a natsi.oˈnalə|}}, meaning "The National Selection". The contest is sometimes referred to by local media and TVR as {{lang|ro|Eurovision România}}.{{Cite news |last=Ștefan, Carmen |date=4 March 2016 |title=Ei sunt cei șase finaliști la Eurovision România 2016 – Totul despre semifinală |language=ro |trans-title=They are the six finalists for the Romanian national selection – All about the semi-final |work=Click! |url=https://www.click.ro/vedete/romanesti/semifinala-eurovision-romania-2016-ce-se-intampla-pas-cu-pas |url-status=live |access-date=13 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410064455/http://www.click.ro/vedete/romanesti/semifinala-eurovision-romania-2016-ce-se-intampla-pas-cu-pas |archive-date=10 April 2016}}{{Cite news |date=1 March 2020 |title=Finala Eurovision România 2020 – prima parte |language=ro |trans-title=Eurovision România 2020 Final – the first part |publisher=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sOQ6HRoAapg |url-status=live |access-date=2 March 2020 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/sOQ6HRoAapg |archive-date=13 December 2021}}{{cbignore}}}} a song contest which has been taking place every year except for 2021, to select its entry for Eurovision. The winner of the first edition was chosen by 1100 households in the country. Since then, several voting procedures have been used, often combining televoting with the votes of a jury panel.{{Cite news |last=Lupu, Gabriela |date=9 March 2015 |title=Eurovision 2015. Prima selecție națională fără scandal |language=ro |trans-title=Eurovision 2015. The first national selection without scandal |work=România Liberă |url=http://www.romanialibera.ro/cultura/cultura-urbana/eurovision-2015--prima-selectie-nationala-fara-scandal-370398 |url-status=live |access-date=25 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225175520/http://www.romanialibera.ro/cultura/cultura-urbana/eurovision-2015--prima-selectie-nationala-fara-scandal-370398 |archive-date=25 December 2015}}{{Cite web |date=15 November 2017 |title=Eurovision 2018: Regulament privind Selecția Națională |trans-title=Eurovision 2018: Rules regarding the National Selection |url=http://eurovision.tvr.ro/2018/regulament-si-anexe/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115232935/http://eurovision.tvr.ro/2018/regulament-si-anexe/ |archive-date=15 November 2017 |access-date=16 November 2017 |publisher=TVR |language=ro}}{{Cite news |last=Marica, Irina |title=Eurovision Romania national selection: 24 songs in the semifinals |publisher=Romania-Insider |url=https://www.romania-insider.com/eurovision-romania-2019-semifinalists/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222173047/https://www.romania-insider.com/eurovision-romania-2019-semifinalists/ |archive-date=22 December 2018}} The selection of the winner either occurred during one show,{{Cite web |title=Eurovision 2015 Regulation |url=http://eurovision.tvr.ro/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/regulament_eurovision_2015_EN.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212185130/http://eurovision.tvr.ro/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/regulament_eurovision_2015_EN.pdf |archive-date=12 February 2015 |access-date=30 January 2015 |publisher=TVR}} or through a varying amount of semi-finals.{{Cite web |last=Honciuc, Bogdan |date=12 February 2017 |title=Selectia Nationala 2017: Jury picks 15 semi-finalists for Romania |url=http://wiwibloggs.com/2017/02/12/selectia-nationala-2017-15-semifinalists/173557/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218153127/http://wiwibloggs.com/2017/02/12/selectia-nationala-2017-15-semifinalists/173557/ |archive-date=18 February 2017 |access-date=2 March 2017 |publisher=Wiwibloggs}} For the first time, a part of Romania's entry was determined internally in 2020. Roxen was selected by TVR out of exclusive partner Global Records's roster, and was appointed five songs for a jury and the public to choose from.{{Cite news |date=31 January 2020 |title=Romania to combine internal selection and public vote for 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/new-selection-process-for-romania-eurovision-2020 |url-status=live |access-date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200301230231/https://eurovision.tv/story/new-selection-process-for-romania-eurovision-2020 |archive-date=1 March 2020}}{{Cite news |date=31 January 2020 |title=TVR și Global Records, parteneri pentru Eurovision Song Contest 2020 |language=ro |trans-title=TVR and Global Records, partners for the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=Romanian Television |url=http://www.tvr.ro/tvr-i-global-records-parteneri-pentru-eurovision-song-contest-2020_26414.html#view |url-status=live |access-date=31 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201083945/http://www.tvr.ro/tvr-i-global-records-parteneri-pentru-eurovision-song-contest-2020_26414.html#view |archive-date=1 February 2020}}{{Cite news |last=Gallagher, Robyn |date=1 February 2020 |title=Romania: TVR confirms partnership with Global Records for internal selection of 2020 artist |publisher=Wiwibloggs |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2020/02/01/romania-tvr-confirms-partnership-with-global-records-for-internal-selection-of-2020-artist/248846/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200201083928/https://wiwibloggs.com/2020/02/01/romania-tvr-confirms-partnership-with-global-records-for-internal-selection-of-2020-artist/248846/ |archive-date=1 February 2020}}{{Cite news |date=11 February 2020 |title=Roxen will represent Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |url=https://eurovision.tv/video/roxen-will-represent-romania-at-the-eurovision-song-contest-2020 |url-status=live |access-date=11 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213161519/https://eurovision.tv/video/roxen-will-represent-romania-at-the-eurovision-song-contest-2020 |archive-date=13 February 2020}} The broadcaster and the label also collaborated the following year for the internal selection of Roxen and her entry.{{Cite news |date=1 February 2020 |title=Eurovision România 2021 #ealtceva |language=Romanian |publisher=Romanian Television |url=http://www.tvr.ro/eurovision-romania-2021--ealtceva_30773.html#view |url-status=live |access-date=1 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201083330/http://www.tvr.ro/eurovision-romania-2021--ealtceva_30773.html#view |archive-date=1 February 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Smith, David |date=1 February 2021 |title=Romania: Roxen's Eurovision 2021 song will be selected by an internal jury |publisher=Wiwibloggs |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/02/01/romania-roxens-eurovision-2021-song-will-be-selected-by-an-internal-jury/261198/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201134531/https://wiwibloggs.com/2021/02/01/romania-roxens-eurovision-2021-song-will-be-selected-by-an-internal-jury/261198/ |archive-date=1 February 2021}}
In {{escyr|2008}}, "Pe-o margine de lume" by Nico and Vlad won Romania's first and only Marcel Bezençon Award, in the Composer Award category,{{Cite news |last=Floras, Stella |date=27 May 2008 |title=The 2008 Bezençon Awards winners |publisher=ESC Today |url=http://esctoday.com/12019/the_2008_bezenon_awards_winners/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017043742/http://esctoday.com/12019/the_2008_bezenon_awards_winners/ |archive-date=17 October 2017}} and Sanda received the infamous Barbara Dex Award in {{escyr|2004}}.{{Cite news |date=12 May 2018 |title=Barbara Dex Award – Die Gewinner seit 1997 |language=de |trans-title=Barbara Dex Award – The winners since 1997 |publisher=ARD |url=https://www.eurovision.de/news/Barbara-Dex-Award-Die-Gewinner-seit-1997,barbaradexaward101.html |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524192046/https://www.eurovision.de/news/Barbara-Dex-Award-Die-Gewinner-seit-1997,barbaradexaward101.html |archive-date=24 May 2019}} A number of Romania's Eurovision entries have experienced commercial success over the years. While "Let Me Try" reached number nine on the Romanian Top 100,{{Cite news |title=Ediția 34, săptămâna 29.08 – 04.09, 2005 |language=ro |publisher=Romanian Top 100 |url=http://www.rt100.ro |url-status=dead |access-date=11 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050901135056/http://www.rt100.ro/ |archive-date=1 September 2005}} {{escyr|2006}}'s "Tornerò" by Mihai Trăistariu peaked within the top ten in Finland and Greece.{{Cite news |title=Mihai: Tornero |language=fi |publisher=Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland |url=https://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/virallinen-lista/artistit/Mihai/Tornero |url-status=live |access-date=5 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190504230918/https://www.ifpi.fi/tilastot/virallinen-lista/artistit/mihai/tornero |archive-date=4 May 2019}}{{Cite news |title=Top 50 Singles – 27/8 – 2/9/2006 |publisher=IFPI Greece |url=http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm |url-status=dead |access-date=8 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060901181832/http://www.ifpi.gr/chart03.htm |archive-date=1 September 2006}} "The Balkan Girls" by Elena topped the Romanian chart in {{escyr|2009}}, and similar success was attained by "Zaleilah" by Mandinga in {{escyr|2012}}, obtaining number two in the country's Airplay 100 ranking and a Gold certification for digital downloads exceeding 10,000 copies in Romania.{{Cite news |date=13 May 2012 |title=Airplay 100 – 13 mai 2012 |language=ro |work=Media Forest |publisher=Kiss FM |url=https://www.kissfm.ro/emisiuni/54/airplay100 |url-status=live |access-date=1 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142101/https://www.kissfm.ro/emisiuni/54/airplay100 |archive-date=12 June 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Ghiță, Oana |date=13 July 2012 |title=Mandinga a primit Discul de Aur pentru 10.000 de descărcări digitale ale hitului "Zaleilah" |language=ro |trans-title=Manding were awarded a Gold certification for the digital downloads of their hit "Zaleilah" amounting to 10,000 copies |publisher=Mediafax |url=http://www.mediafax.ro/life-inedit/mandinga-a-primit-discul-de-aur-pentru-10-000-de-descarcari-digitale-ale-hitului-zaleilah-9859452 |url-status=live |access-date=1 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708020034/http://www.mediafax.ro/life-inedit/mandinga-a-primit-discul-de-aur-pentru-10-000-de-descarcari-digitale-ale-hitului-zaleilah-9859452 |archive-date=8 July 2018}} "Llámame" by Wrs also peaked atop the charts in Romania in 2022.{{Cite web |date=23 August 2022 |title=Top 10 din 100 cele mai difuzate piese pentru saptamana 34 |trans-title=Top 10 out of the 100 most-broadcast songs for the week 34 |url=https://upfr.ro/top-10-week-34/ |access-date=2 September 2022 |publisher=Uniunea Producătorilor de Fonograme din România |language=Romanian}}
Participation overview
| class="wikitable" |
| + Table key |
| style="text-align:center; background-color:#FFD700;" | 1
| First place |
| style="text-align:center; background-color:#CCC;" | 2
| Second place |
| style="text-align:center; background-color:#C96;" | 3
| Third place |
| style="text-align:center; background-color:#FE8080;" | ◁
| Last place |
| style="text-align:center; background-color:#A4EAA9;" | X
| Entry selected but did not compete |
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" |
| + Participation history{{Cite web |title=Romania |url=https://eurovision.tv/country/romania |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926225409/https://eurovision.tv/country/romania |archive-date=26 September 2023 |access-date=28 December 2023 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}} |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Artist ! scope="col" | Song ! scope="col" | Language ! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | Final ! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | Points ! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | Semi ! scope="col" data-sort-type="number" | Points |
|---|
| style="background:#A4EAA9;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; | {{Escyr|1993}} | {{Sortname|Dida|Drăgan}} | "{{lang|ro|Nu pleca|i=unset}}" | Romanian | colspan="2" {{N/A|Failed to qualify}}{{efn|A qualifying round was held for new countries looking to make their debut at the 1993 contest. Romania failed to progress from this round; entries which failed to progress have subsequently been discounted by the EBU and do not feature as part of the countries' list of appearances.}} X | style="text-align:center; background-color:#FE8080;" | 7 ◁ | style="text-align:center; background-color:#FE8080;" | 38 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|1994}}
| {{Sortname|Dan|Bittman}} | "{{lang|ro|Dincolo de nori|i=unset}}" | Romanian | style="text-align:center;" | 21 | style="text-align:center;" | 14 | colspan="2" {{N/A|No semi-finals}} |
| style="background:#A4EAA9;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; | {{Escyr|1996}} | {{Sortname|Monica|Anghel}} and Sincron | "{{lang|ro|Rugă pentru pacea lumii|i=unset}}" | Romanian | colspan="2" {{N/A|Failed to qualify}}{{efn|In order to reduce the number of participating countries at the 1996 event a qualifying round was held among all countries except the hosts. Romania failed to progress from this round; entries which failed to progress have subsequently been discounted by the EBU and do not feature as part of the countries' list of appearances.}} X | style="text-align:center; background-color:#FE8080;" | 29 ◁ | style="text-align:center; background-color:#FE8080;" | 11 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|1998}}
| {{Sortname|Mălina|Olinescu}} | "{{lang|ro|Eu cred|i=unset}}" | Romanian | style="text-align:center;" | 22 | style="text-align:center;" | 6 | rowspan="4" colspan="2" {{N/A| No semi-finals}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2000}}
| Taxi | "{{Sortname|The|Moon|link=The Moon (song)}}" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 17 | style="text-align:center;" | 25 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2002}}
| Monica Anghel and Marcel Pavel | "Tell Me Why" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 9 | style="text-align:center;" | 71 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2003}}
| Nicola | English | style="text-align:center;" | 10 | style="text-align:center;" | 73 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2004}}
| Sanda | "I Admit" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 18 | style="text-align:center;" | 18 | colspan="2" data-sort-value="99999" {{N/A|Top 11 in 2003 contest}}{{efn|name=note2|According to the then-Eurovision rules, the top ten non-Big Four countries from the previous year along with the Big Four automatically qualified for the final without having to compete in semi-finals. For example, if two Big Four countries were placed inside the top ten, the 11th and 12th spots would be advanced to next year's final, along with all countries ranked in the top ten.{{Cite news |title=Rules of the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |url=http://www.eurovision.tv/searchfiles_english/574.htm |access-date=5 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210010517/http://www.eurovision.tv/searchfiles_english/574.htm |archive-date=10 February 2006}}}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center; | {{Escyr|2005}}
| {{Sortname|Luminița|Anghel}} and Sistem | "Let Me Try" | English | style="text-align:center; background-color:#C96;" | 3 | style="text-align:center; background-color:#C96;" | 158 | style="text-align:center; background-color:#FFD700;" | 1 | style="text-align:center; background-color:#FFD700;" | 235 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2006}}
| {{Sortname|Mihai|Trăistariu}} | "{{lang|it|Tornerò|i=unset}}" | English, Italian | style="text-align:center;" | 4 | style="text-align:center;" | 172 | colspan="2" {{N/A|Top 11 in 2005 final}}{{efn|name=note2}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2007}}
| English, Italian, Spanish, Russian, French, Romanian | style="text-align:center;" | 13 | style="text-align:center;" | 84 | colspan="2" data-sort-value="99999" {{N/A|Top 10 in 2006 final}}{{efn|name=note2}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2008}}
| "{{lang|ro|Pe-o margine de lume|i=unset}}" | Romanian, Italian | style="text-align:center;" | 20 | style="text-align:center;" | 45 | style="text-align:center;" | 7 | style="text-align:center;" | 94 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2009}}
| Elena | "{{Sortname|The|Balkan Girls}}" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 19 | style="text-align:center;" | 40 | style="text-align:center;" | 9 | style="text-align:center;" | 67 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center; | {{Escyr|2010}}
| {{Sortname|Paula|Seling}} and Ovi | English | style="text-align:center; background-color:#C96;" | 3 | style="text-align:center; background-color:#C96;" | 162 | style="text-align:center;" | 4 | style="text-align:center;" | 104 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2011}}
| Hotel FM | "Change" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 17 | style="text-align:center;" | 77 | style="text-align:center;" | 4 | style="text-align:center;" | 111 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2012}}
| Mandinga | "Zaleilah" | Spanish, English | style="text-align:center;" | 12 | style="text-align:center;" | 71 | style="text-align:center; background-color:#C96;" | 3 | style="text-align:center; background-color:#C96;" | 120 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2013}}
| Cezar | "It's My Life" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 13 | style="text-align:center;" | 65 | style="text-align:center;" | 5 | style="text-align:center;" | 83 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2014}}
| Paula Seling and Ovi | "Miracle" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 12 | style="text-align:center;" | 72 | style="text-align:center; background-color:#CCC;" | 2 | style="text-align:center; background-color:#CCC;" | 125 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2015}}
| Voltaj | "{{lang|ro|De la capăt|i=unset}}" | Romanian, English | style="text-align:center;" | 15 | style="text-align:center;" | 35 | style="text-align:center;" | 5 | style="text-align:center;" | 89 |
| style="background:#A4EAA9;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; | {{Escyr|2016}} | {{Sortname|Ovidiu|Anton}} | English | colspan="4" {{N/A| Disqualified X}} |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2017}}
| Ilinca {{feat.}} Alex Florea | "Yodel It!" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 7 | style="text-align:center;" | 282 | style="text-align:center;" | 6 | style="text-align:center;" | 174 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2018}}
| {{Sortname|The|Humans|link=The Humans (Romanian band)}} | "Goodbye" | English | rowspan="2" colspan="2" {{N/A| Failed to qualify}} | style="text-align:center;" | 11 | style="text-align:center;" | 107 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2019}}
| {{Sortname|Ester|Peony}} | "On a Sunday" | English | style="text-align:center;" | 13 | style="text-align:center;" | 71 |
| style="background:#A4EAA9;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; | {{Escyr|2020}} | Roxen | "Alcohol You" | English | colspan="4" {{N/A|Contest cancelled}}{{Efn|The 2020 contest was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.}} X |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2021}}
| Roxen | "Amnesia" | English | colspan="2" {{N/A| Failed to qualify}} | style="text-align:center;" | 12 | style="text-align:center;" | 85 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2022}}
| Wrs | "{{lang|es|Llámame|i=unset}}" | English, Spanish | style="text-align:center;" | 18 | style="text-align:center;" | 65 | style="text-align:center;" | 9 | style="text-align:center;" | 118 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" | {{Escyr|2023}}
| Romanian, English | colspan="2" {{N/A|Failed to qualify}} | style="text-align:center;" | 15 | style="text-align:center;" | 0 |
Related involvement
=Heads of delegation=
Each participating broadcaster in the Eurovision Song Contest assigns a head of delegation as the EBU's contact person and the leader of their delegation at the event. The delegation, whose size can greatly vary, includes a head of press, the performers, songwriters, composers, and backing vocalists, among others.{{Cite news |title=Heads of Delegation |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |url=https://eurovision.tv/about/organisers/heads-of-delegation/ |url-status=live |access-date=27 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190526062756/https://eurovision.tv/about/organisers/heads-of-delegation/ |archive-date=26 May 2019}}
=Stage directors=
The participating broadcaster usually appoints a stage director responsible for directing the live performance of the song at the contest, its camerawork for the television broadcast, and the visuals and props used on stage.{{Cite news |last=Van Eersel, Dennis |title=Stage directing at the Eurovision Song Contest |publisher=ESCDaily |url=https://www.escdaily.com/stage-directing-eurovision-song-contest/ |url-status=live |access-date=22 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122095456/https://www.escdaily.com/stage-directing-eurovision-song-contest/ |archive-date=22 January 2022}}
=Jury members=
Each participating broadcaster assembles a five-member jury panel consisting of music industry professionals for the semi-finals and final of the Eurovision Song Contest, ranking all entries except their own. The juries' votes constitute 50% of the overall result alongside televoting.{{Cite news |date=30 April 2019 |title=Exclusive: These are the judges who will vote in Eurovision 2019 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/exclusive-eurovision-2019-juries |url-status=live |access-date=24 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503011126/https://eurovision.tv/story/exclusive-eurovision-2019-juries |archive-date=3 May 2019}}
=Commentators and spokespersons=
For the show's broadcast on TVR, various commentators and dual commentators have been hired throughout the years, with Leonard Miron notably having done the job on seven occasions. At the contest, after all points are calculated, the presenters of the show call upon each voting broadcaster to invite their respective spokesperson to announce the results of their vote.
=Conductors=
In contests where an orchestra was provided, a conductor was required to lead the musicians during each country's performance. Broadcasters were able to provide their own conductors, or could call upon the services of the conductor appointed by the host broadcaster.{{Cite web |title=Rules of the 43rd Eurovision Song Contest, 1998 |url=http://www.myledbury.co.uk/eurovision/pdf/esc1998.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131041040/http://www.myledbury.co.uk/eurovision/pdf/esc1998.pdf |archive-date=31 January 2019 |access-date=15 March 2021 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union (EBU)}} For 1993's {{lang|sl|Kvalifikacija za Millstreet}} pre-selection round, George Natsis conducted the Romanian entry.{{Cite AV media |title=Kvalifikacija za Millstreet |date=3 April 1993 |place=Ljubljana, Slovenia}} In 1994 and 1998, Irish host conductor Noel Kelehan and Romanian conductor Adrian Romcescu{{snd}}also the composer of "Eu cred"{{snd}}were hired, respectively.{{Cite book |last=Roxburgh |first=Gordon |title=Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest |date=2020 |publisher=Telos Publishing |isbn=978-1-84583-163-9 |volume=Four: The 1990s |location=Prestatyn |page=175}}{{Cite book |last=Roxburgh |first=Gordon |title=Songs for Europe: The United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest |date=2020 |publisher=Telos Publishing |isbn=978-1-84583-163-9 |volume=Four: The 1990s |location=Prestatyn |page=336}}
Photo gallery
File:Todomondo Eurovision 2007.jpg|alt=Six men dressed in variously colored clothes performing on a stage.|Todomondo in Helsinki ({{Escyr|2007}})
File:Flickr - proteusbcn - Semifinal 1 EUROVISION 2008 (129).jpg|alt=A man dressing a black suit and jeans and a woman sporting a black dress performing on a stage.|Nico and Vlad in Belgrade ({{Escyr|2008}})
File:Elena Gheorghe in Moscow (2009).jpg|alt=A blond-haired woman sitting at a table wrapped in an oversized Romanian flag.|Elena in Moscow ({{Escyr|2009}})
File:Paula Seling 02.JPG|alt=A man and a woman dressed in black performing on a stage.|Paula Seling and Ovi in Oslo ({{Escyr|2010}})
File:Mandinga First Rehearsal.jpg|alt=A woman performing on a stage in front of white hearts alongside five men.|Mandinga in Baku ({{Escyr|2012}})
File:ESC2013 - Romania 07.jpg|alt=A man dressed in a black dressed performing on a stage in front of a red background and behind X-shaped pyrotechnics.|Cezar in Malmö ({{Escyr|2013}})
File:ESC2014 - Romania 15.jpg|alt=A man and a woman performing on a stage in front of a blue background; a circular piano is seen on the man's left.|Paula Seling and Ovi in Copenhagen ({{Escyr|2014}})
File:20150515 ESC 2015 Voltaj 8117.jpg|alt=Five men performing on a stage, with four of them playing instruments.|Voltaj in Vienna ({{Escyr|2015}})
File:Eurovision Song Contest 2017, Semi Final 2 Rehearsals. Photo 210.jpg|alt=A man dressed in black and a woman sporting a red dress performing on a stage in front of colorful cartoons.|Ilinca and Alex Florea in Kyiv ({{Escyr|2017}})
File:ESC2018 - Romania 01.jpg|alt=Two women—dressed in purple and white dresses, respectively—performing on a stage alongside a guitarist; black mannequins are seen in the background.|The Humans in Lisbon ({{Escyr|2018}})
File:ESC 2021 Rotterdam 1st Semi Jury Show Romania3.jpg|Roxen in Rotterdam ({{Escyr|2021}})
File:Eurovision 2022 - Semi-final 2 - Romania - WRS (01).jpg|WRS in Turin ({{Escyr|2022}})
File:Eurovision 2023 - Jury Semi-final 2 - Romania - Theodor Andrei (02).jpg|Theodor Andrei in Liverpool ({{Escyr|2023}})
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{Eurovision Song Contest}}
{{featured list}}