An intermediary stage was included for the first time in the national Eurovision song contest, where the competitors will sing their songs live, Moldova 1 director Angel Sarbu told a news conference on Tuesday, quoted by Info-Prim Neo. Moldova’s representative at Eurovision in 2009 Geta Burlacu, who is a member of the jury, said all the participants have equal chances. There are very interesting songs performed by unknown singers, but there are also songs similar to those that were victorious at Eurovision, sung by well-known singers, she stated. Composer Liviu Stirbu said the most talented will go through to the final. The originality of the songs will be one of the main criteria. “Inspiration and a little of perspiration are needed in the creation process,” the composer said. Among those who passed the first selection stage, where the jury analyzed the songs recorded by the contestants, are Natalia Barbu, Pasha Parfenii, Karizma, the bands Zdob si Zdub, Milenium, and the graduates of the star factory Gloria, Dyma, and Elena Kondoraki. Within the first stage, the organizers Teleradio-Moldova and Orange selected 60 of the about 100 singers who applied to take part in the contest. The second stage will take place on January 29. There will be chosen 25 contenders.