Cluj-Napoca to host revamped Selecţia Naţională with final on February 11th?

Rumours have been circulating Romanian media outlets in regards to next year’s Romanian Eurovision national selection process. According to reports, TVR is looking to host Selecţia Naţională in Romania’s second most populous city, Cluj-Napoca. In addition, it is reported that the selection will take place between January 19th and February 11th, 2018.

Reports are in line with previous TVR Eurovision statement

In fact, these changes are in line with a statement TVR’s general director Irina Radu made a few weeks ago:

“Eurovision is one of the premium events TVR is involved with, which is why we want to start preparations early for Romania’s participation in the 2018 edition of the competition. We will have more time to organise the national selection. We will have more time to prepare Romania’s representatives for their show on the Eurovision stage. And, we will have more time to attract additional sponsors and partners for the project from Bucharest and across the country.“

Indeed, if these reports turn out to be true, Romania will be holding Selecţia Naţională much earlier than they have done in recent years. Therefore, this will allow TVR the extra time to prepare their Eurovision stage performance as Radu states above.

Ilinca’s hometown

Furthermore, Cluj-Napoca is the hometown of this year’s Romanian representative Ilinca. The official video for Yodel It! was filmed in the city, which you can watch below. The duo, including Alex Florea, went on to finish in 7th place in Kyiv. As a result, the duo scored Romania’s fourth best result in the history of the contest. It seems Eurovision interest in Romania is back on the increase following a difficult 2016.

Would you support the decision for TVR to host Selecţia Naţională in Cluj-Napoca? Furthermore, do you think it would be a wise decision to select their entry earlier in the Eurovision season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below and via our social media pages @ESCXTRA!