Cununa literally translates to "the crown" or "the wreath". In Romanian wedding traditions, the cunună refers to the wedding crowns or wreaths used in the religious ceremony, symbolizing the couple's union and the blessings bestowed upon them.
In the song, the lyrics "Soarele și Luna / Ne-or ține cununa" (The Sun and the Moon / Will hold our wedding crown) beautifully evoke a celestial blessing on the marriage. It's a poetic and culturally significant word that captures the essence of a traditional Romanian wedding, making it both unique and memorable.
This song by Moldovan artist Pasha Parfeni is a wild, fairytale wedding story set in the middle of nature. The singer tells us he's found his bride in the forest, addressing the river Dniester directly: "Nistrule cu apă lină / M-am pierdut și ea-i de vină" (Dniester with calm water / I'm lost and she's to blame). He completely throws himself into winning her over, singing traditional songs (doine), dancing with her, and spoiling her in every way.
The chorus is where things get truly epic. He declares that "Soarele și Luna / Ne-or ține cununa" (The Sun and the Moon / Will hold our crown). In traditional Orthodox weddings, a crown (cununa) is held over the couple's heads. Here, the Sun and Moon themselves are the ones holding the crowns, acting as cosmic witnesses to their marriage. He promises her a "Nuntă sub un cer cu stele" (wedding under a sky with stars) and gives her a ring with a rare stone. It's a powerful, mythical celebration of a love blessed by nature and the cosmos.
Pasha Parfeni, born Pavel Parfeni on 30 May 1986 in Orhei, Moldova, is a celebrated musician, singer, and songwriter known for his passionate pop music. Growing up in a musical family—his mother a piano teacher and his father a singer and guitarist—Pasha developed his talents from a young age, studying piano and vocals at prestigious institutions in Moldova.
He gained international recognition representing Moldova twice at the Eurovision Song Contest, first in 2012 with the hit "Lăutar," finishing 11th, and again in 2023 with "Soarele și luna," securing 18th place. Formerly the lead singer of the popular Moldovan band SunStroke Project, Parfeni has also made his mark as a solo artist, participating in various music festivals and winning top prizes.
Known for his emotive voice and engaging songwriting, Pasha continues to influence the Moldovan music scene with a career spanning over two decades. His collaboration with other artists and consistent festival presence highlight his dedication to his craft and love for music.