Albania: RTSH opens the submission period for the 59th edition of Festivali i Kenges

The Albanian national broadcaster, RTSH, has opened the submission period for the 59th Festivali i Kenges, the show via which the nation traditionally determines each year its Eurovision act and entry. 

RTSH has opened the submission window for the next edition of Festivali i Kenges 59 , inviting artists and composers  to send in their entries by October 2. Submissions can be send to RTSH via email  at the address: festival@rtsh.al  or be delivered to RTSH’s office in Tirana.

However, RTSH has not yet either confirmed its 2020 Eurovision participation or if it will follow the same selection format like in the previous years.

The Albanian broadcaster though, hasn’t cleared out what will happen with last year’s winner Arilena Ara who was the country’s hopeful for this year’s cancelled Eurovision Song Contest. Thus it remains a question whether Festival i Kenges will select a new hopeful for next year or Arilena will be internally selected.

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.

This year Arilena Ara was set to perform her song Fall From Sky on the Eurovision stage in Rotterdam, but saw her journey ending due to the coronavirus outbreak as the contest was cancelled .