Viva Moldova: Satoshi wins Selecția Națională 2026

Tonight's show took place at Arena Chișinău and was hosted by Daniela Crudu and Ion Jalbă, alongside Alisa Tanas and Bogdan Nigai in the green room. Voting to determine the winner was split evenly into 3 sections: an international jury, a Moldovan jury, and public voting.

After all the performances took place, it was clear one act stood apart from the rest. Once all the votes were counted and revealed, it was official: Satoshi secured the win with "Viva, Moldova".

"Viva, Moldova" was written by Vlad Sabajuc (Satoshi) himself.

The show opened with numerous acts performing their notable Moldovan Eurovision entries:

• Sunstroke Project: Hey Mamma (2017)
• Sunstroke Project: Run Away (2010)
• Natalia Barbu: Fight (2007)
• DoReDos: My Lucky Day (2018)
• Cristina Scarlat: Wild Soul (2010)
• Natalia Gordienko: Sugar (2021)
• Aliona Moon: O mie (2013)
• Nelly Ciobanu: Hora din Moldova (2009)

Tonight's show would have been nothing without the interval acts! There were many, most notably including former Eurovision acts and their songs such as:

• Paula Seling: Playing with Fire (Romania 2010 with Ovi)
• Efendi: Mata Hari (Azerbaijan 2021)
• Jamala: 1944 (Ukraine 2016)
• Zdob și Zdub: Bunica bate doba (Moldova 2005)
• Zdob și Zdub: Trenulețul (Moldova 2022 with Advahov Brothers)

Satoshi will wave Moldova's flag in Vienna on 12 May during Semi 1, and looks to bring Moldova back to the final after their absence from the contest last year.

Satoshi

Satoshi (birth name Vlad Sabajuc) is from Cahul, Moldova and was born on 13 September 1998. Music began as a passion for Satoshi in seventh grade when he started composing music and learning the drums. Satoshi uses music to mix energetic beats with deep and meaningful lyrics to provide an experience that can appeal to all with his music.

In 2019, Sabajuc would make his Satoshi project official where he would go on to start releasing his own music. With that, in 2022 he would sign with record label Versus Artist, part of BR Media Group.

Some artists he's inspired by are Linkin Park, Eminem, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Zdob și Zdub. A wide range of music, but it shows how he wants people to unite to his music for any reason. His music can be seen as versatile with songs ranging from depressive/cruel, self-recognition to hyperdynamic, motivational and "change the world" inner-force driven type of music.

Selecția Națională

Selecția Națională was Moldova's national selection process to determine their Eurovision 2026 representative.

Two rounds were held:

16 December 2025 - Audition Round: 34 acts performed in front of a jury. 16 acts advanced after 100% jury vote.

17 January 2025 - Final: 16 acts performed their songs. Voting to determine the winner split via international jury, Moldovan jury, and public voting, all consisting of 1/3 of the vote. The winner will represent Moldova at Eurovision this May in Vienna.

Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest

Moldova has taken part in the Eurovision Song Contest 19 times since its debut in 2005, missing only the 2025 contest.

The country achieved its best result in 2017, when Sunstroke Project finished 3rd with the hit "Hey Mamma".

Out of the 19 times we've seen Moldova in Eurovision, they've managed to qualify for 13 Grand Finals.