“I locked myself in the studio and wrote a piece of head, without breathing.” The reaction of an artist who represented us at Eurovision when he learned how many women were killed by partners in Romania

Known for participating in Eurovision 8 years ago, where he ranked 7th, the artist Ilinca Băncilă recently launched the song “Femme Fatal”, inspired by the alarming increase in the number of women who died from domestic violence. “I wrote the song on the day I learned that the number of femics in 2025 reached 29. I locked myself in the studio and wrote it head-to-tail, without breathing, for the first time in my life,” says the artist in the interview for the public.

In Romania, 40 women were killed only this year. They died from domestic violence, in places that should have been safe: in their own house, in front of the children, in front of the neighbors or after they had already demanded the help of the state. Some had the order of protection in their pocket. For them, the document was only a worthless paper.

Recently, the Ministry of Justice has announced that it will launch a public consultation for the introduction of female in the Criminal Code. Until the legislative changes, domestic violence, however, remains a sad constant in Romania for millions of women.

Cluj artist andLinca (27 years old) chose to respond through music to this problem of women. Known for his strong voice, for the Yodelling with which he won the public at Eurovision in 2017 (where he obtained the 7th place, the best result of Romania in the last ten years), she has recently launched the song “Fatal femme”inspired by the alarming growth of cases of violence against women in Romania and by recent protests that demand protection, justice and change.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xl4J5W9RSW0

“I feel somewhat reborn. I feel that” fatal femme “represents a new beginning for me, with vulnerability and sincerity in my music, two things I have longed for for some time,” says the artist.

The song was born in a moment of revolt.

“I wrote fatal femme on the day I learned that the number of females in 2025 reached 29. I locked myself in the studio and wrote a head-to-tail piece, without breathing, for the first time in my life. I knew exactly what I mean: it was fatal to give birth to a woman, it is not a metaphor. Artistic reasons, but because the number of cases increased to 30. ”, Ilinca says.

For the artist, this manifest piece is not only an artistic statement, but an attempt to give voice to a collective reality. “I wanted the song to be more than a personal story or emotion, to be a collective voice, a cry of warning. It is my way of transforming anger and powerlessness, but also an invitation to dialogue and change.”

“I think the voice of artists can produce change”

Fear, she says, is a permanent presence in the lives of women in Romania. “From seemingly small things, such as walking alone on the street or climbing in a taxi, to more serious situations, there is always that feeling that you have to be careful, to protect yourself, to have a spare plan. Unfortunately, in Romania many women live with this daily tension.”

Therefore, he believes that artists play an essential role. “I think the voice of artists can produce change, perhaps not always immediately and directly, but certainly by the way it manages to reach the consciousness of people. Music has the power to arouse emotions, to open discussions and to create solidarity. I want my song to bring visibility to the problem of female To encourage at least one woman not to accept abuse, for me it means that she has achieved her goal, ”she says.

Ilinca does not care about assuming the label as a feminist artist: “For me feminism means equal rights and a life lived without fear. After all, being feminist does not mean to exclude someone, but to ask for respect and safety for all women.”

“Women die even with the order of restriction in their pocket”

Given the debate announced by the Ministry of Justice, to increase the punishment for female, among others, Ilinca says:

“” He shocked me and angered me that women die even with the order of restriction in their pocket. It is revolting that a woman puts her confidence in a document issued by the authorities and yet she gets to be killed. She shows how fragile the protective mechanisms in our country are. It is the proof that we need a deep change, not only in the paper, but in the way.

Including a social message in her parts does not stop at this piece. After collaborating with Gadjo Dilo for the album “Balkan Mama”, the artist prepares his first solo album.

“My solo album will be a personal journey, with many facets. The fatal femme song is indeed a social manifesto, but on the album I will not remain in this area. I will explore topics such as love, vulnerability, joy, but also my cultural roots. Part of who I am, but I will leave room for universal emotions in which each listener can be found. ”

In the end, Ilinca also tells us that for her artistic freedom means to tell the truth, even when it hurts. “For me it means to be able to tell true stories, even when they are uncomfortable. Artistic freedom is the space where I can combine my cultural roots with the present, where I can experience sounds, emotions and messages without feeling constrained by commercial or social rules.”

Also, She also adds that the message for her female audience is to make her voice heard: “Not to be silenced. Even if the society sometimes tries to impose limits, they have the right to dream, create and live freely. Their power is real and no one is allowed to take them.”