Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008
Romania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 in Belgrade, Serbia. They selected their entry, "Pe-o margine de lume", by Romanian singers Nico and Vlad through the national selection competition Selecția Națională 2008 in February 2008. Controversy surrounded the event, as the organising broadcaster, Romanian Television (TVR), was accused of conspiracy, and the song reviewed for plagiarism. Prior to the 2008 contest, Romania had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest ten times since its first entry in 1994. Its highest placing in the contest had been third place, which the nation achieved in 2005. In 2007, Romania finished in 13th place.
Among the entries submitted to Selecția Națională 2008 were also two unselected ones by now high-profile singer Inna (pictured in 2013) known as Alessandra at the time.
Holograf (lead singer Dan Bittman pictured in 2009) were hired as the interval act for the first semi-final.
Alina Sorescu (pictured in 2006) co-hosted the second semi-final alongside Iulian Vrabete.
Amidst widespread controversy, "Pe-o margine de lume" was accused of plagiarising "La magia del corazón" by David Bustamante (pictured in 2015).
Romania in the Eurovision Song Contest
Romania has participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 23 times since its debut in 1994, and has placed in the top ten six times. Its best results were achieved by Luminița Anghel and Sistem in 2005, and by Paula Seling and Ovi in 2010, who both finished in third place. Selecția Națională, a song contest that has been taking place every year in Romania except for 2021, has been used to select the country's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Paula Seling and Ovi (pictured) placed third with their 2010 entry "Playing with Fire".
Todomondo in Helsinki (2007)
Nico and Vlad in Belgrade (2008)
Elena in Moscow (2009)