Romania debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994 and has become known for its powerful vocals, diverse musical styles, and dramatic performances. The country’s best results came in 2005 with Luminița Anghel & Sistem’s Let Me Try and in 2010 with Paula Seling & Ovi’s Playing with Fire—both finishing third. Known for a mix of pop, rock, and ballads, Romania’s entries often feature English lyrics to appeal to a wider audience.
The national selection, Selecția Națională, has been instrumental in presenting a variety of artists and genres, emphasizing both emerging talents and established performers. Romania was also notable for a long streak of qualifying for the finals between 2004 and 2017.
Recent entries have been more experimental, such as Yodel It! by Ilinca and Alex Florea in 2017, which combined yodeling with rap and pop, finishing seventh. However, Romania has faced challenges in recent years, struggling to qualify for the finals.
Despite these setbacks, Romania’s Eurovision strategy continues to focus on strong vocals, theatrical staging, and a blend of modern and traditional elements, keeping it a respected and unpredictable participant.
