From Bollywood to the Vatican, Iulia Vantur's Christmas carol comes home

After more than a decade of building a musical and acting career in India, Iulia Vântur has come full circle in the most heartfelt way possible. The artist has released her first song in her native Romanian language, marking a deeply personal milestone in her journey.

Titled “Colinde, Corinde”, the Christmas carol was performed for the first time at the Vatican, in front of Pope Leo XIV and a global gathering of spiritual leaders and audiences, during the celebration of 60 years of Nostra Aetate at the Paul VI Hall.

A Moment That Blended Faith Music And Identity

Performing at the Vatican is a rare honour for any artist, but for Iulia, the moment carried layers of meaning. Singing a Romanian carol on such a historic stage allowed her to present her cultural identity in its purest form. The setting elevated the song beyond performance into an expression of belonging and faith. It was not just a debut of a new track, but the unveiling of a long held emotional truth shaped by distance, devotion, and memory.

Why A Carol Felt Meant To Be

“This song is a dream come true, a wish that has been rising slowly like a Christmas cake. Over the years, I received many ideas and proposals to sing in Romanian, but I am truly happy that my first song in Romanian is a Christmas carol. It was meant to be this way. My blessed journeys often begin with a carol, born out of longing for my country, our traditions, my home, and a deep desire to reconnect with my roots and to return more often. I visit my parents and my loved ones as much as I can, but it never feels enough,” shares Iulia Vântur.

Her words reveal why this release feels inevitable rather than planned. Carols have always been her emotional anchor, linking her present to her past and her professional success to her personal identity.

A Childhood Tradition That Never Faded

“I have wanted to release a Romanian carol for years. I love carols because they connect me to my childhood, to home, to Romania, to my parents. Every year without fail, I sing Christmas carols to my parents, even if I am thousands of kilometres away. We connect on video call, and that has become our special Christmas tradition. My mother cries every year from emotion, sometimes my father too, and in those moments I feel like a child again. It is my favourite part of Christmas.

My musical journey in India also began because of a Romanian carol. Fourteen years ago, I sang a Romanian carol that touched hearts, even though it was in a foreign language. That melody was later recreated in India as the song Teri Meri, and it opened the door to my first Hindi track. I owe so much to carols, and my love for music truly started with them.

When I was invited to sing at the Vatican in the presence of the Pope, I chose to sing my favourite carol and perform ‘Colinde, Corinde’ for the first time because it holds such a special place in my heart. It felt like the truest way to represent my Romanian essence,” she adds.

A Song That Found Its People Naturally

The creation of “Colinde, Corinde” unfolded organically, guided by instinct rather than strategy. A shared sense of longing connected Iulia with the song’s creators, and the emotional pull of the melody sealed its fate. Written by Rimenescu, Eugenia Nicolae and Cezar Cazanoi Caval, and produced by C and P Viral Nation Romania, the carol felt complete from its very first note. It was decided early on that the song would be offered as a Christmas gift rather than a commercial statement.

A Video Rooted In Family And Memory

The music video for “Colinde, Corinde” was filmed in London and Romania, reflecting Iulia Vântur’s life between two worlds. Featuring her parents, it turns the song into an intimate family memory rather than a polished performance piece. The project came together organically after a Romanian friend connected her with the composers, and the emotional pull of the melody felt instant.

Shot partly in London during her film schedule and partly in Romania, the video captures distance, longing, and the pull of home. As Iulia puts it, “This carol is not just a song. It is an emotion.” Released during Christmas, it invites viewers to pause, reconnect, and cherish the warmth of family.