Paula Seling

For those who don't know, I was born in Romania and lived there until 2003 when I moved to Canada. I don't often talk about things I miss about "the old country", because they're relatively few and far between; but one thing I do miss quite often is (some) Romanian music. Unsurprisingly, Romanian music doesn't have the widest reach outside of the country, so it's very rare that a Romanian artist makes its way to this side of the Atlantic and becomes popular outside of the Romanian community.

In this context, having a Romanian artist perform in Ottawa is a welcome event. But when that artist is someone whose music you love and whom you admire, it's quite a treat! Tonight I had the good fortune of seeing, hearing and meeting Paula Seling!



Paula has been one of the most well-known and much-admired Romanian singers for quite a few years now, owing to both her amazing voice and her charming and entrancing stage presence. Every one of her performances I've witnessed (either in person or on screen) have been captivating and touched my heart in some way. Getting to meet her here, however, in the city I now call home, and over 7000km from Romania, was another story altogether.



One perk of being somewhat far removed from Romanian artists and yet in a part of the world they're likely to tour in is that these people, who usually sell out concert halls throughout Romania, get to perform at small venues, to enthusiastic though limited crowds of compatriots. One might find it ironic but, while I've never met a single band/singer I followed in Romania, I've met two of my favourite artists in the time that I've been in Canada, all because of this quirk of geography. I'm overjoyed and grateful that I could add Paula's autograph to my collection, and snap the photos above.

Thank you, Paula, for an amazing show!