Following an edition highly disputed both by journalists and by the artists that took part in the contest, Mamaia Festival again attempts to get the attention of those interested in Romanian light music. Although dusty, stifled in corsets inherited since long before ’89, the national festival will try to prove, even though it has failed to do it for more than 30 years, that it is launching young talents. Pre-selections for the section “Performance” took place last week, at the restaurant “The Golden Apple” in Bucharest. The jury, made up of Cornel Fugaru, Angela Similea, Crina Mardare and Adrian Despot, was surprised by the small number of those striving to attain stardom. In a press conference organised in Constanta, the representatives of Constanta County Council stated that no less than one billion lei were earmarked for the festival so as not to give up to “this national symbol, a pride of Constanta inhabitants.”
One of the most controversial sections in the previous edition, “Discography,” was removed this year, as most of the record houses, in order to be able to take part in the contest, stated sales worthy of the “Guinness Book.” This year, the same “characters” as the last year are expected to enter the contest for the three sections (“Performance,” “Creation” and “Hits”). Andre, Valahia, Voltaj, Paula Seling, Taxi, Catalina Toma, 3rei Sud Est, laureates in the latest edition, most certainly will attend the festival that is to take place between August 24-27. The “hits” section wants to be a collection of the most popular singles in this category of music, on private or state-owned radio stations (Radio Romania Actualitati, Contact, ProFM, Total, Europa FM, Radio Delta and Radio Romantic.) The singles will be selected from the tops of these radio stations, and the final contest will take place on three sections – pop, rock and dance. Pre-selection of singles for the “Creation” section will take place on August 2, and the jury is to be made up of well-known musicians.