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.
Moldovan singer Pasha Parfeni brings an electric folk romance right into the heart of nature with this track. The singer starts by confessing his love straight to the dense forest and the gentle river, chanting Codrule cu frunză deasă / Cred că mi-am găsit mireasă ("Thick-leafed forest, I think I found my bride") and Nistrule cu apă lină ("Nistru river with calm water"). Mentioning the Nistru roots the whole story in Moldova's real geography. Winning this bride over took real effort: he serenaded her with traditional soul-songs (doine) until she kissed him, danced with her, and spoiled her rotten before sliding a rare gem on her finger on the seventh night (în a șaptea seară / Un inel cu piatră rară).
The real magic comes in the massive, hypnotic chorus: Soarele și Luna / Ne-or ține cununa ("The Sun and the Moon will hold our wedding crown"). In Moldovan traditional weddings, the godparents or best men hold ornate crowns (cununa) over the couple's heads during the ceremony. Here, Parfeni replaces ordinary wedding guests with cosmic forces under an open starry night (Nuntă sub un cer cu stele). It is grand, a little wild, and impossible not to sing along to.
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.