Exclusive Interview With Pasha Parfeni
As one of the most celebrated musical events in the world, the Eurovision Song Contest has been a platform for artists to showcase their talents and cultural identities to a global audience. For many artists, the choice of language for their Eurovision entry is a crucial decision that goes beyond simply creating a catchy tune. Moldova’s Eurovision entrant, Pasha Parfeni, believes that singing in your native language is a way of preserving your cultural heritage and expressing your identity. In this interview, we speak to Pasha Parfeni about his passion for his native language, Moldovan, and how he believes it sets his music apart in the highly competitive Eurovision arena.
How important do you think music is to bring people together?
Music, in my opinion, has the power to do true miracles. We use songs to cheer ourselves up, meditate, discharge tension, get to know each other, and talk about music with our friends. In our time,
the situation in the neighbouring country has demonstrated how people were able to unite at the most difficult time for Ukraine, and just to keep think alive and well, people sing songs like Stefania by Kalush Orchestra.
How important is the language songs are sung in? How do you feel people engage when you sing in your native language?
I believe it is critical to comprehend and experience what you are singing about. When you use your native language in a song, it appears to me that you are more sincere with the listener. Even though he can’t understand the words, he gets my message, my emotion. Let us not reject the existence of modern opportunities, such as translator If the listener is curious about understanding what the song is about, he will consult a translation. I saw and heard how the audience reacted during the Eurovision promotional tour in six different cities and countries. I got shivers when everyone sang Soarele, soarele, soarele și luna in unison. Generally speaking, I believe it is important to me and our entire nation to remind everyone in Europe that Moldova has a voice and that voice sounds in Romanian.
Is singing in your native language important to you? How important is it to sing in English when considering your Eurovision entry?
I had no doubts about singing my song in Romanian because it tells my personal story, which was influenced by Moldovan folklore and fairy tales. My lovely wife wrote the song’s text, and she did an excellent job; it is now sung by all the people in Moldova, and we may even say Europe. I couldn’t imagine releasing my song Soarele si Luna in English just yet because it won’t tell the same story as the original. Is it necessary to sing in English during the competition? This question has no definitive answer. This is helpful for understanding because practically everyone today speaks English. However, in recent years, songs in the native language have placed in top positions in the Eurovision final. Eurovision is about celebrating diversity of cultures united by one language: music.
How do you manage to convey your own culture / belief when singing in English?
I’m a singer from Moldovan and I’ m naturally a cultural ambassador. No matter what language I sing in, I visually convey my country’s culture on stage through outfits, dances, and traditional instruments. Furthermore, in every interview I give, I talk about Moldova. I am always happy when foreigners begin a conversation and demonstrate that they are familiar with our country’s culture or history. It makes me happy.
As our interview with Pasha Parfeni comes to a close, it’s clear that his commitment to singing in Moldovan goes beyond just a personal preference for his native language. By showcasing the rich culture and unique musical traditions of Moldova, Pasha’s music has brought a new level of diversity and authenticity to the Eurovision stage. As the world continues to become more connected, it’s important to remember the value of preserving and celebrating our cultural differences. Pasha Parfeni’s passion for singing in his native language is a powerful reminder of the beauty and importance of cultural diversity, both in music and beyond. You can watch Pasha Parfeni perform tonight at the first Eurovision Semi-Finals – check out the official Eurovision website to found out how you can watch live! You can also find tour dates and more music from Parfeni at his website pashaparfeni.com, or check out his Instagram!
If you’re lucky enough to be in Liverpool for Eurovision, why not check out our itinerary for a full week of fun for a unforgettable experiences.
