Albania: Festivali i Këngës 58 candidates go public

The Albanian national broadcaster, RTSH, revealed the twenty candidates of Festivali i Këngës 58, the national selection through which the country will determine its Eurovision 2020 act and entry.

RTSH is under full steam preparing the next edition of Festivali i Këngës 58 which will take place next December in Tirana. 20 acts will take the stage and battle for the to represent Albania at Eurovision 2020. The Albanian broadcaster has unveiled the names of this year’s candidates:

Albërie Hadërgjonaj
Aldo Bardhi
Arilena Ara
Bojken Lako
Devis Xherahu
Eli Fara & Stresi
Elvana Gjata
Era Rusi
Gena
Genc Tukiqi
Kanita Suma
Kamela Islamaj
Kastro Zizo
Olta Boka
Renis Gjoka
Robert Berisha
Sara Bajraktari
Tiri Gjoci
Valon Shehu
Wendi Mancaku

As we can notice among the 20 hopefuls we see Olta Boka, the Albanian representative at Eurovision 2008.

The Eurovision Story So far

In 2004 Albania debuted in the contest with Anjeza Shahini with the entry “The Image of You”, which came 7th . The country hasn’t scored a victory yet in its 15 participations up to date. Its best result was achieved in 2012 with Rona Nishliu and her 5th placing in Baku with her song “Suus”.

In 2019 Jonida Maliqi won the Festivali i Kenges 2018 and became the 16th Albanian representative in Eurovision. Her song Ktheju Tokes ended in the 17th place of the Grand final.