Who is Satoshi? Get to Know Moldova’s Eurovision 2026 entry

The Eurovision Song Contest is heading towards its 70th edition, which will take place in Vienna (Austria) on May 12, 14, and 16 at the Wiener Stadthalle.

Little by little, the participating countries are immersed in preparations to refine the details of their entries with which they will compete to win the coveted glass microphone.

The Eurovision season has produced several notable names, and among them is Moldova, which, in its return to the European contest, has opted for one of the most unique proposals in its current scene. The Moldovan broadcaster TRM selected its representative through its national final Selecția Națională 2026, where Satoshi with “Viva, Moldova!” managed to win decisively, securing the ticket to Vienna.

How has he reached Eurovision? What experience does he have in the music industry? How is he preparing his entry for Vienna 2026?

On this occasion, we review the musical career of Satoshi, the context of his candidacy, and his song. The Moldovan representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 aims to qualify for the Grand Final with “Viva, Moldova!”, an entry with which he hopes to stand out on stage, in what will be Moldova’s 21st participation in the European contest.

This is Satoshi, origins between the city and the countryside

Satoshi, stage name of Vlad Sabajuc, was born on 13 September 1998 in Cahul, in the south of Moldova. Raised in a family of doctors alongside his older brother, he grew up in a stable environment, although distant from music. However, his frequent stays in the rural surroundings of his maternal family deeply influenced his personal development, shaping his sensitivity and his way of interpreting the world.

His interest in music emerged at the age of 13, when he began composing and learning drums in a self-taught way. He later moved to Chișinău to study at the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts, where he began to define his artistic profile. In parallel, he worked in radio, television and dubbing, expanding his experience in the communicative field.

In 2019 he created the Satoshi project, inspired by a Japanese concept related to lucidity and clear thinking. Initially focused on technical rap, his style evolved towards a fusion of trap and pop, incorporating more melodic and atmospheric sounds. His lyrics, increasingly profound, address themes such as fears, emotions or internal conflicts, consolidating a mature and personal artistic identity.

His discography includes four albums: Rush (2022), +373 (2024), Sport (2024) and Minim Efort (2025), as well as numerous singles. Each reflects his musical evolution and his ability to balance different genres with a distinctive voice. His collaboration with Carla’s Dreams in 2022 provided a key boost, expanding his popularity in Romania.

Since 2024 he has performed at major festivals such as Untold or Neversea, and has taken his music to international stages such as London. In live performances, he stands out for combining energy and intimacy, creating a close connection with the audience.

In 2026 he reached a milestone by winning the Moldovan national final with “Viva, Moldova!”, thus earning the right to represent Moldova at Eurovision 2026.

This is “Viva, Moldova!”, the proposal by Satoshi to represent Moldova at Eurovision 2026

Satoshi represents Moldova in its return to the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 with the song “Viva, Moldova!”. It is a composition by Vlad Sabajuc himself, with the collaboration of Cătălin Temciuc and Andrei Vulpe in the production and mastering.

“Viva, Moldova!” is a festive celebration of Moldova’s identity and culture, blending languages, references, and styles to convey an idea of diversity and national pride. Through phrases in Romanian, Spanish, Italian, French, and English, it reflects how the country is connected to the world, especially Europe, while still preserving its roots.

The song highlights values such as family, hospitality, and attachment to the land, along with cultural elements such as traditional music (doina, hora) and representative figures, expressing nostalgia and longing for home.

Lyrics

Moldova at Eurovision: A Quick History

Moldova debuted in 2005 with Zdob și Zdub and «Boonika Bate Toba», achieving 6th place. The following year it dropped to 20th place, but returned to the Top 10 in 2007 with Natalia Barbu. Since then, it has alternated between modest results and standout appearances, accumulating five Top 10 finishes in total. Its best result came in 2017, when SunStroke Project reached 3rd place with «Hey Mamma».

In 2025, Moldova announced its withdrawal from the contest due to the low quality of the songs preselected for Basel, an unusual decision that reflected internal dissatisfaction with the level of the national selection process and the lack of a competitive entry.