Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008

Background

Main article: Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest

Prior to the 2008 contest, TeleRadio-Moldova (TRM) had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest representing Moldova three times since its first entry . Its best placing in the contest was sixth, achieved in 2005 with the song "Boonika bate doba" performed by Zdob și Zdub. Other than its debut entry, to this point, its only other top ten placing at the contest was achieved where "Fight" performed by Natalia Barbu placed tenth.

As part of its duties as participating broadcaster, TRM organises the selection of its entry in the Eurovision Song Contest and broadcasts the event in the country. The broadcaster confirmed its intentions to participate at the 2008 contest on 5 November 2007 despite rumours of a withdrawal due to financial difficulties. TRM had selected their entry via an internal selection in 2007. However, the broadcaster opted to select its entry in 2008 via a national selection show.

Before Eurovision

{{lang|ro|O melodie pentru Europa 2008}}

O melodie pentru Europa 2008 was the national final format developed by TRM in order to select its entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2008. The event took place at the National Palace in Chișinău, hosted by Rusalina Rusu and Sergiu Raelanu, and included a final to be held on 9 February 2008. The show was broadcast on Moldova 1, TV Moldova Internațional, and Radio Moldova as well as online via TRM's official website trm.md.

Competing entries

Artists and composers had the opportunity to submit their entries between 5 November 2007 to 11 December 2007. Artists were required to be of Moldovan nationality and could submit more than one song, while an international act was able to compete only if they were either part of a duo or group with at least a member who was of Moldovan nationality or were part of the backing performers with a maximum of two international members. Songwriters could hold any nationality. At the conclusion of the submission deadline, 27 valid entries received by the broadcaster and an advisory online vote was held via trm.md from 12 December 2007. A jury consisting of music professionals as well as representatives of TRM and OGAE Moldova selected 12 finalists out of the 27 received entries, which were announced on 14 December 2007.

Final

The final took place on 9 February 2008. Twelve songs competed and the winner was selected based on the combination of a public televote, the votes of an expert jury and the votes of a committee consisting of TRM representatives. The expert jury included Ghenadie Ciobanu (President of the Union of Composers of Moldova), Anatol Chiriac (composer), Titus Zhukov (Head of the Republican Puppet Theater "Licurici"), Natalia Brasnuev (President of OGAE Moldova), Sergey Gavrilice (editor of VIP Magazin), Vasile Năstase (editor of Glasul Naţiunii), Diana Stratulat (producer) and Victoria Buketaru (director of Fresh FM), while the committee included George Musta (conductor of the TRM National Symphony Orchestra), Ion Kerpek (music producer), Vadim Styngachu (TRM representative of television) and Boris Foksa (member of the TRM coordinator unit). In addition to the performances of the competing entries, Natalia Gordienko, who represented , and Natalia Barbu, who represented Moldova in 2007, performed as guests.

At the conclusion of the voting, Geta Burlacu and Olia Tira were tied at 30 points each. The tie was resolved with each member of the expert jury and committee casting one vote for one of the two songs, and "A Century of Love" performed by Geta Burlacu was selected as the winner with 7 votes to 5.

Preparation

On 20 March, Geta Burlacu released the final version of "A Century of Love" which featured an improved arrangement and the use of additional instruments. The official music video for the song premiered on 15 April.

Promotion

Geta Burlacu made several appearances across Europe to specifically promote "A Century of Love" as the Moldovan Eurovision entry. On 23 February, Geta Burlacu performed the Moldovan entry as a guest during the . On 4 and 5 April, Burlacu took part in promotional activities in Romania which included television appearances.

At Eurovision

It was announced in September 2007 that the competition's format would be expanded to two semi-finals in 2008. According to the rules, all nations with the exceptions of the host country and the "Big Four" (France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom) are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals in order to compete for the final; the top nine songs from each semi-final as determined by televoting progress to the final, and a tenth was determined by back-up juries. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split up the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot. On 28 January 2008, a special allocation draw was held which placed each country into one of the two semi-finals. Moldova was placed into the first semi-final, to be held on 20 May 2008. The running order for the semi-finals was decided through another draw on 17 March 2008 and Moldova was set to perform in position 4, following the entry from and before the entry from .

The two semi-finals and the final were televised in Moldova on Moldova 1 and TV Moldova Internațional. All broadcasts featured commentary by Lucia Danu and Vitalie Rotaru. TRM appointed Vitalie Rotaru as its spokesperson to announced the Moldovan votes during the final.

Semi-final

At the end of the show, Moldova was not announced among the top 10 entries in the first semi-final and therefore failed to qualify to compete in the final. This marked the first time that Moldova failed to qualify to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest from a semi-final since its first entry in 2005. It was later revealed that Moldova placed twelfth in the semi-final, receiving a total of 36 points.

Voting

Below is a breakdown of points awarded to Moldova and awarded by Moldova in the first semi-final and grand final of the contest. The nation awarded its 12 points to Romania in the semi-final and the final of the contest.

Points awarded to Moldova

Points awarded by Moldova

References

References

1. "Moldova Country Profile". [[European Broadcasting Union.
2. Kuipers, Michael. (21 June 2007). "Moldova to make participation decision in October". Esctoday.com.
3. Klier, Marcus. (5 November 2007). "Moldova to take part in 2008 Eurovision Song Contest". Esctoday.com.
4. "MOLDOVAN NATIONAL FINAL 2008". Eurovision Song Contest National Finals Page.
5. "EUROVISION SONG CONTEST 2008".
6. Klier, Marcus. (9 February 2008). "Tonight: Moldova decides for Eurovision 2008".
7. (5 November 2008). "Înregistrare ESC 2008".
8. Kalimeris, Aris. (26 November 2007). "Moldova: TRM call for songs". Esctoday.com.
9. Floras, Stella. (12 December 2007). "Moldova: Listen to the 27 submitted songs". Esctoday.com.
10. Viniker, Barry. (14 December 2007). "Exclusive: 12 songs for Moldova national final". Esctoday.com.
11. "Press Release".
12. (9 February 2008). "Geta Burlacu to Belgrade representing Moldova".
13. "Moldova 2008".
14. Floras, Stella. (9 February 2008). "Live: Moldova selects for Eurovision 2008".
15. Floras, Stella. (10 February 2008). "Moldova sends Geta Burlacu to Eurovision". Esctoday.com.
16. Floras, Stella. (20 March 2008). "Moldova: New version of Geta's song online".
17. Kalimeris, Aris. (17 April 2008). "Moldova: "A century of love" video clip ready".
18. (21 February 2008). "Super Saturday: Ukraine picks for Ani Lorak".
19. (2007-07-31). "Eurovision: 2 semi finals confirmed!". ESCToday.com.
20. (28 January 2008). "Semi-Final Allocation Draw: the outcome!".
21. Sietse Bakker. (2008-03-17). "Belgrade 2008: The running order!". Eurovision.tv.
22. Floras, Stella. (3 May 2008). "Eurovision 2008: Rehearsal schedule".
23. (11 May 2008). "Moldova: Ethno-Jazz on a sofa".
24. (15 May 2008). "From Chisinau to Brussels!".
25. "Moldova".
26. "First Semi-Final of Belgrade 2008". European Broadcasting Union.
27. "Results of the First Semi-Final of Belgrade 2008". European Broadcasting Union.
28. "Results of the Grand Final of Belgrade 2008". European Broadcasting Union.