Ovidiu Anton will represent Romania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, on May 12, in Stockholm, with the “Moment of Silence” song, winner of the national final. The final took place on Sunday evening in Baia Mare. Ovidiu Anton was selected exclusively based on the votes of the public. In the semi-final, Ovidiu Anton had been selected by the jury, qualifying for the final from top position with 54 points. In the last stage of national selection, Ovidiu Anton competed against Dream Walkers’ “Let it shine,” Florena’s “Behind the Shadows,” MIHAI’s “Paradisio,” Vanotek feat. The Code & Georgian with “I’m Coming Home,” and Doru Todorut feat. Irina Baiant with “One Voice.”
Doru Todorut feat. Irina Baiant finished sixth, MIHAI (Mihai Traistariu) finished fifth in the final, and Dream Walkers finished fourth. Florena was third, with “Behind the Shadows,” while Vanotek feat. The Code & Georgian were second with “I’m Coming Home.”
The trophy, which depicts Isis, the goddess of beauty, was offered by Baia Mare Mayor Catalin Chereches.
The members of the jury were composer Horia Moculescu, musical director Alexandra Cepraga and singers Randi, Zoli Toth and Cezar Oatu.
Ovidiu Anton wrote and composed “Moment of Silence.” According to him, he did so last autumn “when people were in the street,” referring to the large street protests that followed the Colectiv nightclub fire that killed 63. He added that he did not expect to win because he lost the national final on four different occasions in previous year and subsequently he was prepared to lose this time around too.
The artist believes that he received 6,585 votes from the public because his song touched people’s hearts. “My interpretation was probably at the level of their expectations,” Ovidiu Anton added.
“My song is not a commemorative song, it’s one for those who are here today, for those who can do something. It’s a whole series that we, not others, should direct. I am glad I managed to win in a dignified manner, without resorting to sensationalism, because this is how I am and I don’t want to be any other way,” the singer said at the press conference that followed the competition.
The Eurovision 2016 Song Contest will take place in Stockholm, Sweden, on May 10-14. Forty-three countries have signed up for the competition, 3 more compared to the previous edition.
