Albania: These are the competing songs of the 58th Festivali i Këngës
The Albanian national broadcaster, RTSH, released today the competing entries of the 58th editionof Festivali i Këngës, the festival through which the 17th Albanian Eurovision representative will be determined.
Almost each year Albania is the first country to select its entry and song that will represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest. The competing acts will perform in two semi final rounds on the 19th and 20th December with the grand final to take place on December 22.
Listen below to the competing songs:
- Albërie Hadërgjonaj – Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua
- Aldo Bardhi – Melodi
- Arilena Ara – Shaj
- Bojken Lako – Malaseen
- Devis Xherahu – Bisedoj me serenatën
- Eli Fara & Stresi – Bohemë
- Elvana Gjata – Me tana
- Era Rusi – Eja merre
- Gena – Shqiponja e lirë
- Genc Tukiçi & Nadia Tukiçi – Ju flet Tirana
- Kamela Islamaj – Më ngjyros
- Kanita Suma – Ankth
- Kastro Zizo – Asaj
- Olta Boka – Shkrime në mur
- Renis Gjoka – Loja
- Robert Berisha – Ajo nuk është unë
- Sara Bajraktari – Ajër
- Tiri Gjoci – Me gotën bosh
- Valon Shehu – Kutia e Pandorës
- Wendi Mancaku – Ende
Among this year’s 20 contestants we see past Eurovision participants either as singers or composers and several names of the Albanian pop music scene. Olta Boka represented Albania back in 2008 wit the song Zemrën e lamë peng finishing 17th, while the composer of the competing entry Kutia e Pandorës είναι is Eugent Bushpepa who represented the country with song Mall at Eurovision 2018. where he came 11th.
Arilena Ara with her song Nëntori entered the charts in several countries while Elvana Gjata , who is making a comeback to the festival after 16 years, is one of the most famous pop stars in Albania’s music scene with more than 645 million views in total on youtube. Eli Fara is listed in the singers of Albanian tradition music while Bojken Lako is making his 9th participation in the contest.
During the competition Eurostars such has Eleni Foureira and Mahmood will perform as guest alongside with Giusy Ferreri. The show will be presented to us by Alketa Vejsiu.
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.
