Albania: Eugent Bushpepa with the song Mall wins Festivali i Kenges 2017 and will fly to Lisbon.
The Grand Final of 56th edition of Festivali i Kenges took place in Pallati i Kongreseve in the Albanian capital city of Tirana this evening, kicking off the process of national finals for Eurovision 2018 .
Eugent Bushpepa was the winner of the night and will be the artist to represent the country in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest next May in Lisbon. Eugent was declared as the big winner with his song Mall . The result was determined exclusively by a special jury consisting of music professionals.
After two rounds of semi finals with 22 artists participating initially , a total of 14 finalists competed in tonight’s Festivali i Kenges Grand Final, the music event through which Albania determines its Eurovision representative each year. The grand final was presented by Adi Kastra who had hosted previously the two semi finals too.
The 14 finalists that competed in tonight’s final were :
- Artemisa Mithi – E dua botën
- Bojken Lako – Sytë e shpirtit
- Denisa Gjezo – Zemër ku je
- Elton Deda – Fjalët
- Eugent Bushpepa – Mall
- Grupi Na & Festina Mezini – Tjetër jetë
- Inis Neziri – Piedestal
- Manjola Nallbani – I njëjti qiell
- Mariza Ikonomi – Unë
- Orgesa Zaimi – Ngrije zërin
- Redon Makashi – Egziston
- Rezarta Smaja & Luiz Ejlli – Ra një yll
- Tiri – Orë e ndalur
- Voltan Prodani – E pamundur
Eugent Bushpepa is one of the most famous rock artists in Albania’s music scene. He was born and raised in a small city in northern Albania. After school he moved to Italy where he lived some years. In 2006 he returned back to his home country and started being part of one of the country’s famous TV shows, the TOP SHOW, where he performed covers of well known songs. Apart from these covers he has released a dozen of singles that have met great success in the country and has written hits for other Albanian rock singers too.
Eugent won the jury vote and will be the 15th Albanian representative in Lisbon next May. Albania participated first time in the contest in 2004 and has reached the Grand Final seven times . Its best placing was in 2012 with Rona Nishliu and her entry Suus that achieved a 5th place in the final. Watch below Eugent’s tonight winning performance:
