The submission deadline for songs to compete at the Romanian national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest closed on Sunday 8 February, with broadcaster TVR receiving close to 100. A specially selected panel of music-industry professionals will now chose 12 song to compete at the selection show, to be held on 8 March and broadcast from the city of Craiova. A statement announcing the names of the 12 finalists is expected on Wednesday.

Among this year’s submissions vying to represent Romania are many composers and artists from other parts of Europe, such as Sweden, Norway, Germany, and the UK. Submissions have even been received from as far away as Australia. A large number of submissions also came from composers and artists who are well-known within Romania; Voltage, Ovidiu Lipan Ţăndărică and Ozana Barabancea, as well as artists who have previously represented the country on the Eurovision stage; Nicola (who finished in 10^th place at the Eurovision Song Contest 2003), and Luminita Anghel (whose song with the band Sistem at the Eurovision Song Contest 2005 finished in 3^rd place).

Lana Stanciu, head of Romania’s Eurovision delegation, said: I’d love our entry this year to mean something in music history…I hope to change the way Europe looks at Romanian music. Music is more than art, it is a message. I believe in the fundamental value of music and its purpose. Let’s all speak Romanian in 2015.

Romania will compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 on 19 May.

Stayed tuned for more news about Romania and the Eurovision Song Contest