The documentary Maria Tanase – Urban Soundtrack for a Diva by Maria Balabas and produced by Radio Romania Cultural radio station was recently nominated at the 11th edition of Prix Europa, Europe’s largest festival for Television, Radio and the Online Media.

The documentary celebrates the personality of Romanian famous singer Maria Tanase, whose 100th birthday was celebrated last year.

Prix Europa awards the best European Television, Radio and Online productions and this year will take place between October 18 and October 25 in Berlin.

Maria Tanase was born on September 25, 1913 and was a famous singer of Romanian traditional music. She was nicknamed Romania’s Edith Piaf and Queen of Romanian folk music.

In 1955, she received the State Prize and in 1957 she was honored with several medals and the title of Honoured Artist of the Republic for her contribution to the art. She died in 1963 of cancer and was buried at the Bellu cemetery in Bucharest.

Maria Balabas is a Romanian journalist and has been working for Radio România Cultural since 2007.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com