Moldova kicks off Eurovision 2026 with Satoshi on stage
The representative of the Republic of Moldova at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, Satoshi, will perform in the first semi-final on the evening of May 12. This year's contest is being held in Vienna, Austria. Our artist will open the event with the song "Viva, Moldova!", which blends modern rhythms with influences from local folklore.
Fifteen countries are competing tonight for a chance to qualify, but only 10 of them will advance to the final on Saturday, May 16.
According to international bookmakers, Satoshi has a strong chance of qualifying for the Eurovision final, and Moldova's performance is one of the most popular among the public ahead of the semi-final.
In an interview with "Dimineata cu Radio Moldova," Vlad Sabajuc, also known as Satoshi, expressed that the entire team is ready for the semi-final on May 12. He noted that they not only have a mission but also plan to set the tone for the evening's competition.
Satoshi stated, "Everyone is, in principle, rested and prepared. There is a sense of pressure to start, but the attention we will receive in this anniversary year of Eurovision helps us gain greater visibility."
In the same interview, he described the backstage atmosphere at Eurovision in Vienna: "In the area where the artists are staying, it’s quite calm. Each representative has their own booth, and when you step outside, you can exchange a few words with someone from another country."
"My wonderful Moldovan friends! Shine and conquer Europe’s heart!"
Prime Minister Munteanu: "Let's stand united and support the Republic of Moldova!"
"Tonight, the entire Republic of Moldova is singing alongside Satoshi. A talented young artist is representing our country on the Eurovision stage, reaching millions of viewers worldwide. 'Viva, Moldova!' is not just a phrase; it embodies a mindset and encourages us to believe in ourselves. We are cheering for you, Vlad! To all Moldovans at home and in the diaspora – let’s unite and support the Republic of Moldova tonight," urged Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu in a Facebook post.
List of semi-final contestants
The first semi-final is scheduled for May 12 and will feature representatives from 15 countries in the following order: Republic of Moldova, Sweden, Belgium, Slovenia, Azerbaijan, Croatia, Cyprus, Norway, Ireland, Estonia, Poland, Armenia, Malta, Iceland, and Portugal.
The second semi-final will take place on May 14, with representatives from Austria, Greece, Albania, Denmark, Georgia, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Finland, Australia, Latvia, Israel, Lithuania, San Marino, the Netherlands, and Montenegro competing.
A total of 10 countries from each semi-final will secure their places in the final, which will be held on Saturday, May 16.
These 20 countries will be joined by representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and Austria, who have qualified directly for the final.
Eurovision Live on Moldova 1 TV: How to vote for your favourites
The semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will take place on May 12, starting at 10:00 PM. You can watch it live on Moldova 1 and on the website moldova1.md.
Voting for the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 will open immediately after the live performances of the 15 participating countries.
In both the semi-finals and the final, the results will be determined by a 50% public vote and a 50% national jury vote.
The public will have several voting options, depending on their country: they can vote through the official Eurovision Song Contest app, online via the www.esc.vote platform, by SMS, or by phone call using numbers provided by national television stations during the live broadcasts.
For the 2026 edition, organizers have introduced a limit on the number of votes: each viewer can cast a maximum of 10 votes for each payment method, down from 20 in previous years. This measure aims to prevent an excessive concentration of votes for a single competitor.
Fans may support multiple competitors, but they cannot vote for their own country.
Members of the diaspora can support the representative of the Republic of Moldova by voting in the country where they currently reside, provided that Moldova is one of the participants in the semi-final on May 12.
Once the voting process concludes, the 10 countries that qualify for the Eurovision 2026 final will be announced live.
Additionally, public television channel Moldova 1 will broadcast the semi-final on May 14 and the final on May 16 live.
