Albania: Arilena Ara with Shaj to represent the country in Rotterdam

The first song for Eurovision 2020 is a fact! The Festivali i Këngës 58 was completed shortly after the overthrow of the prognosis, as Arilena was the big winner with the song “Shaj”. So Arilena becomes the sixth consecutive country representative of the upcoming Eurovision song contest to be announced.

For another year, Albanian Public Television (RTSH) chose to participate in Eurovision through FiK. Live from the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana hosted by Alketa Vejsiu, the 12 artists who made it to the final did their best to claim the five-member jury’s vote and win the festival and the  ticket to Rotterdam in May as well.

The contestants

In order of appearance the 12 current runners-up were:

1. Valon Shehu – “Kutia e Pandorës” (Pandora’s box)

2. Sara Bajraktari – “Ajër” (Air)

3. Robert Berisha – “Ajo nuk është unë” (This is not me)

4. Tiri Gjoci – “Me gotën bosh” (With an empty glass)

5. Bojken Lako – “Malaseen” (Without seeing me)

6. Arilena Ara – “Shaj” (Sweet as the curse)

7. Gena – “Shqiponja e lirë” (Free eagle)

8. Kamela Islamaj – “Më ngjyros” (Draw me)

9. Alberie Hadergjonaj – “Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua” (Where can I find someone to live)

10. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana” (With all)

11. Olta Boka – “Shkrime në mur” (Slogans on the wall)

12. Era Rusi – “Eja Merre” (Come and get it)

This evening, Eleni Foureira, who just before leaving for the USA, shone a spot on the FiK58 stage with all her big hits! But what we would like to dwell on is in the words of Eleni Foureira shortly after her interpretation is over. The popular singer commented on the refugee and the fact that Greece is the only country that has received so many immigrants on its territory and treated them, with the audience in the room applauding. ! Before the results came also Guisy Ferreri, the Italian superstar who has made success in and out of her country.

The results at Festivali i Këngës 58 were determined exclusively by the jury vote in which apart from two domestic music professionals, Greek Dimitris Kontopoulos, Swedish Christer Bjorkman and Icelander Felix Bergsson were involved.

In third place was Sara Bajraktari and in second place Elvana Gjata!

Albania at the Eurovision Contest

In 2020 we will have Albania’s 17th entry in the contest, which debuted in 2004, with Anjeza Shahini and “The Image Of You”, which reached seventh place! RTSH showed interest in the Eurovision song contest in 2003. However, three more countries made their debut that year and Albania was not eligible to participate. In the following years it managed to qualify seven times in the final and many more in the semifinals.

The best it won was 2012 with Rona Nishliu and “Suus”. The last two years it has managed to qualify for the final and obviously wants to continue her series.

In Tel Aviv Albania was represented by Jonida Maliqi with “Ktheju Land”, after winning the FiK 57 first! She managed to score 90 points and finish 17th in the final!

Listen to Albanian participation for Eurovision 2020 below: