A total of 61 entries were handed in to the Moldovan public television TRM by 57 artists in order to compete at the forthcoming Moldovan Eurovision national selection. Some news was published today on the official website of the television regarding the selection process.

According to data issued by the office of Eurovision Moldova this year new names are set to participate, but there are also well-known artists such as Cristina Scarlat, Boris Covali, Tatiana Heghea or band Parallel 47. According to the regulation, the selection of candidates will take place in three stages:1) internal listening of the participating bidding entries, 2)live auditions on 1 and 2 February, 3) a national final on 15 March, preceded by two semi-finals (11 and 13 March).

During the live auditions the special jury will select a total of 24 acts which will compete in the semi-finals (12 acts will compete in each semi-final). From each semifinal eight competitors will make it to the final, 7 acts will be selected via a public vote /jury deliberation whilst the 8th will be rescued by the public via televoting.

This year, 36 countries are to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest and Moldova participates for the 10th consecutive time.  According to the draw, the Moldovan representative will take the Eurovision stage in the second half of the first semi-final.

Stay tuned to esctoday.com for more news on the Eurovision Song Contest and national finals.