GOING TO BAKU TO WIN "FOR ME IT IS MORE IMPORTANT TO WIN AS MANY HEARTS AS POSSIBLE"

-Only a few days remain before the start of the 57th "Euro-vision" contest. What are your expectations?

- My feelings and my opinion about Baku began to take shape three years ago when I visited the Azerbaijani capital for the first time. Baku is a very beautiful, modern city. Friends told me that the city was developing all the time. People say that much has changed over the years. My expectations are linked with the fact that during our stay in Baku, apart from "Eurovision", we will get the chance to learn about Azerbaijan's cultural heritage and just enjoy ourselves in this beautiful country.

- What can you say about the song you will be singing in Baku?

- The song "Lautar" was not written for "Eurovision", and so it is in Moldovan. When a song is written for "Eurovision" it comes under certain frameworks and patterns and at times looks a bit prefabricated. We believed that if it was translated into English the international audience would like it more. Our team worked on it a long time. There are Moldovan themes in the song; I would even say Balkan themes with a European melody. My Azerbaijani friends both in Moldova and in Azerbaijan like our songs. To some extent Moldovan and Azerbaijani semi-tonal movements overlap. That's why we like each other's music.

- Who do you think will win this year's competition?

- Out of purely egoistic considerations I wouldn't like to name anyone specifically. Of course, I have my favourites. After the competition I will tell you if my choice was right or not. Although I am going to Baku to win for me it is more important to win as many hearts of the people as possible. It doesn't matter where a performer finishes. The main thing is to win over the audience.

- How strong is the political factor with regard to the "Eurovision" results? Let's say, Moldova votes for Romania, Denmark for Sweden, Cyprus for Greece…

- Of course, there is a certain geopolitical influence on the competition because the participants are not split up into regions, say the Danube. They represent specific countries and there is a geopolitical factor. But I believe it is music that will decide the audience's choice.

- Moldova and Azerbaijan have things in common in terms of history. From this point of view, it would be basically easier for you to perform in Baku rather than, say, Spain or Norway…

 Yes, you're right. More than that, the fact that Baku is holding the contest gives me mental backing because I have been here twice before. My main expectations from "Eurovision" come from the competition in Baku. My two previous visits were linked with performing in a club in Baku. I must say I was very happy with these concerts. Generally speaking, I would like to come to Azerbaijan not for an international song contest, but for a big holiday. I think that is what will happen.