Andrei Bolocan
Andrei Bolocan is a comedian, journalist, and media personality known for his online satire and social commentary. After studying at "Mircea Eliade" High School in Chișinău and attending several universities without completing a degree, he began his career at Jurnal TV as a reporter and host, moderating programs like "Deșteptarea", "Salt and Pepper", and "Ministry of Truth". His direct, open, and sarcastic style earned viewer appreciation. In 2013, he emigrated to Canada with his family while continuing his media projects online.
In 2016, he launched "Lumina" on YouTube, a political satire show that quickly gained popularity among Moldovans both domestically and in the diaspora. Through original characters and humor, the show analyzes systemic issues like corruption, government inefficiency, and lack of accountability.
"Lumina" combines monologues, commentary on public figures, and political analysis, establishing itself as a critical voice against Moldova's political establishment. The show has garnered hundreds of thousands of YouTube views and sparked online debates, including reactions from featured political figures.
Bolocan maintains active Facebook and Instagram presence, sharing satirical sketches, political commentary, and reflections on diaspora life. He is married to journalist Nata Albot, with whom he has four children. In 2017, they launched "Internetu' Grăiește" on YouTube, analyzing current events in Moldova and the diaspora. Both shows later aired on TV8.
In 2024, he launched "Peste picior" with Cătălin Lungu, a show providing humorous analysis of current events. He performs stand-up comedy worldwide, particularly for the Moldovan diaspora, and has appeared on Romania's iUmor show.
While formerly friendly with Natalia Morari, he distanced himself following controversies surrounding her relationship with Veaceslav Platon, criticizing her ethics and integrity.
Bolocan maintains pro-European views, supports Maia Sandu and PAS, advocates for Moldova's European integration, condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and criticizes politicians involved in or suspected of corruption.
Key Facts
| Social Media Accounts | ||||||
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| Platform | User Name | User Handle | Followers | Following | Likes | Views |
 | Andrei Bolocan | @andreibolocan | 5,500 | 1,120,282 | ||
| Emisiunea Lumina | @emisiunealumina | 52,400 | 14,142,700 | ||
| Internetu' Grăiește | @InternetuGrăiește | 32,000 | 7,662,611 | ||
 | Andrei Bolocan | @andrei.bolocan.69 | 1,203 | 8 | 5,259 | |
 | Andrei Bolocan | @fatamamei | 38,700 | 416 | ||
 | Lumina | emisiunea.lumina | 189,000 | 9 | ||
| Andrei Bolocan (Produc Lumina) | andrei.bolocan | 31,000 | 1,400 | ||
| Data Publicly Available | ownership data is easily available from other sources, e. g. public registries etc. |
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| Language | Romanian, Russian |
| Founding Year | 2013 Andrei Bolocan's social media presence began with his personal Facebook page in 2007. He gained popularity after joining Jurnal TV in 2010, and three years later, he launched both his YouTube channel and a Patreon account—the first of its kind in Moldova. In 2015, he created a dedicated YouTube channel for his show "Lumina", and in 2017, he and his wife Nata Albot launched "Internetu' Grăiește", a live show on YouTube. Both projects were later broadcast on TV8. In 2021, he started the Lumina podcast, which released only two episodes. His brief venture into TikTok in 2023 lasted just a few months. |
Ownership
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Facts
| Topics Covered / Focus Areas | Andrei Bolocan uses humour and satirical commentary to analyse Moldova's socio-political landscape. He explores generational differences, regional cultural tensions, and global influences. His content addresses migration issues, examining both emigrants' adaptation and national identity preservation. Through humour and satire, he examines everyday life and cultural aspects. His show "Lumina" features dialogues with public figures, offering insights into their experiences and personal journeys. |
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| Views / Values / Political Stances | Supports the European integration of the Republic of Moldova and Maia Sandu's policies. Advocates for social equity and feminism. Criticises the large-scale invasion of Ukraine, as well as Putin and the Russian leadership. Holds a stance against the PSRM (Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova), the Șor Party, Vladimir Plahotniuc, Igor Dodon, Veaceslav Platon, and Ion Ceban. Believes that closer ties with the European Union are necessary for Moldova's sustainable development, prosperity, and democracy. |
| Mode of Delivery | Long interview-format videos, vlogs, and podcasts on YouTube. Short, satirical videos using simple, occasionally vulgar language on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Stories and reels on Facebook and Instagram. Texts and photos on Facebook and Instagram. |
| Reputation | Andrei Bolocan is known for his direct, sarcastic, and occasionally vulgar style, as well as his satirical take on the country’s social and political context. At times, he is perceived as unserious. As the host and producer of the show Lumina, Bolocan garners both praise for his frankness and sarcastic style and criticism, particularly from political figures targeted by his satire. His shows, including Ministerul Adevărului and Internetu' Grăiește, are notable for their incisive analysis of social dysfunctions, gaining popularity among young people interested in social change, though also receiving backlash from certain institutions and public figures. Andrei Bolocan has entered into various conflicts with politicians and public figures, including the mayor of Chișinău, Ion Ceban, following Bolocan’s critical comments on his activities and those of his wife. He has also clashed with Elena Pahomova, who accused him of harassment, as well as with actor and influencer Emilian Crețu. Despite this, Bolocan is not seen by the public as scandalous but rather as an outspoken figure who raises pertinent questions. In journalistic circles, he is regarded as a professional who comes well-prepared to events where he is invited. He also has a reputation as a family man with feminist views, dedicated to fighting for justice. |
| Target Audience | He does not target a specific audience; his content appeals to most age groups and genders but is particularly popular among pro-European audiences. While most content is in Romanian, some materials are also available in Russian. |
| Part of Network or Campaign | He has hosted several shows on Jurnal TV, including "Sare și piper" ("Salt and Pepper"), "Ministerul adevărului" ("Ministry of Truth"), "Deșteptarea" ("The Awakening"), and "Peste picior" ("Over the Leg"). On TV8, he presented "Emisiunea Lumina" ("The Light Show") and "Internetu' Grăiește" ("The Internet Speaks"). He has participated in various social campaigns, including "Arătați-l Viu" ("Show Him Alive"), launched by Promo-LEX Association in support of Adrian Glijin, a young man illegally detained by unconstitutional authorities in Tiraspol. He also supported the "Fără gingăşie" ("Without Gentleness") campaign initiated by FreeMoldova activists to combat stereotypes about women. |
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| Cross-Posting & Friends | In the ”Lumina” Show, Andrei Bolocan conducted numerous interviews with Moldovan politicians, especially during election periods, posing incisive questions. He promotes his wife, journalist Nata Albot, on his pages and shares similar narratives with vlogger Cătălin Lungu, with whom he co-hosts the show ”Peste picior” on Jurnal TV. |
| Endorsements & Recognitions | In 2017, VIP Magazin magazine included Andrei Bolocan in the "Top 55 most popular and influential Moldovans of the internet". |
| Business Model | Missing data |
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