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Albania: Listen live to the two favourites of Fik 2021!

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Live snippets from the rehearsals of the two favorites of Festivali i Këngës 2021 have been available since yesterday and earlier today.

   Yesterday, on December 13th, a snippet from the rehearsal of Alban Ramosaj was posted, one of the candidates for the representation of Albania with the song “Theje”.

Later today, a snippet from the rehearsal of Ronela Hajati was uploaded today performing her entry “Sekret” which you can watch below:


   The 60th Festivali i Këngës is going to take place on 27, 28 and 29 December 2021 while the presentation will be undertaken by Ardit Gjebrea, Jonida Maliqi, Xhemi Shehu, Klevi Kadilli and Isli Islami. 

  Last year, Albania was represented by Anxhela Peristeri and the song “Karma”, which qualified last as it finished 10th in the 2nd Semifinal, while in the final it ended up in 21st place with 57 points.

https://youtu.be/OxniMKVXjqM

In case one of the two aforementioned candidates wins the upcoming Albanian national selection, is it possible for Albania to achieve a better placing at Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy? Let us know in the comments.

Stay tuned on Eurovisionfun.com for the latest news regarding Albania, and the rest of the 40 nations of Eurovision 2022. 

 

Albania: The language of the “Karma” is yet to be decided

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After her victory at Albania’s national final, Festivali i Këngës, Anxhela Peristeri gave her first short interview to the reporter of the public broadcaster RTSH.

Among others she mentioned how happy and emotional feels and that representing Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest was one of her dreams.

As far as the final form of her entry is concerned, Anxhela Peristeri commented that they haven’t made their minds up regarding the language yet (whether it is going to be in English or in Albanian) since her team was focused on the Festivali i Këngës. Moreover, she left open the possibility that there might be some changes at the lyrics.

Below you can watch the video of her firsts statements after her victory

https://youtu.be/6HcTwZ48Jhc

Albania: With “Fall From The Sky” Arilena Ara at Eurovision 2020

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Arilena Ara revealed the title of her song, as it did after the revamp, in which she will represent Albania at Eurovision 2020. Shaj is now in English and is called “Fall From The Sky”. We will listen to it next week as we told you in our related article.

Immediately after her win at FiK 58, Arilena Ara left for the US to revamp the song for Eurovision. According to what she had said the song became more pop and its lyrics are now in English.

View this post on Instagram

“Fall From The Sky” @eurovision

A post shared by Arilena Ara (@arilenaaraa) on

The final version is highly radio without losing the identity the song originally had. But until we see the video clip and listen to the final version of Albanian involvement, let’s remember Arilena’s appearance on FiK 58.

Albania: After the Heads of Delegation meeting on March 9th,the revamp of Shaj

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According to various Albanian media reports, the final version of Shaj, revealed by Arilena, will be made public with the video clip after the Head of Delegation meeting next Monday, March 9th.

The video clip is in the process of being filmed, which means there is no time left for it to be released next week. Albania’s head of delegation will normally submit his country’s song for Eurovision 2020 at this meeting in Rotterdam on Monday, May 9, but we will hear it a few days later.

The final version is highly radio without losing the identity the song originally had. Finally, it was emphasized that Shaj’s revamp will be mainly in English, just like the original version Arilena had taken before FiK58.

Below you can see photos of Arilena from the video clip shooting:

But until we see the video clip and listen to the final version of Albanian entry, let’s recall Arilena’s appearance on FiK 58:

Elvana Gjata: “The two points I received will not stop me giving love”

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Two days have passed since Arilena’s victory in FiK58, as the two Albanian judges rated Elvana very low and denied her victory. The popular singer who failed to win, though she was the big favorite via her Instagram profile, made a statement that while wishing Arilena good luck, she does not hesitate to show her bitterness and annoyance at the Albanian judges’ ratings.

“I refuse to speak at such moments but this time I have to do it…

Arilena … you’re not alone in anything, I really wish you good luck. I want to thank my fans and my new European fans for supporting me since the release of “MeTana”. I saw the polls, I saw you sing and dance to my song every day, I saw you in the arena with your hands up. I heard you all scream under my name all over Pristina, and I heard it last night in Tirana like never before.

My heart is full of joy! I worked hard and will work until my last breath. The job never destroyed me, with or without command. Thank you very much to the European judges who voted for me the most. Not even Mikaela’s 2 points can stop giving me love.

Accept life with everything

Enjoy life with everything”

Elvana’s announcement came hours after Alketa Vesjiu, the festival’s presenter, made a statement, which also shifted her arrows to Mikaela’s rating and the 2 points she gave to Me Tana. We remind you that Arilena won by only 3 points difference, so the 2 that she received from Mikaela was essentially what deprived her of her victory.

Albania: Breaking News: the presenter of FiK58 strongly blames the jury panel for results

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Through her Instagram profile, Alketa Vejsiu, presenter of Festivali i Kenges 58, regrets that Elvana was not the winner of the festival, but also that the public opinion was not heard.

“I would like to express Arilena my congratulations on her victory! I hope her to do the best she can at Eurovision for Albania. But I can’t but thank Elvana Gjaten! Within 2 weeks she had more views (on YouTube) than everyone else, 3 and a half million! I can’t deny that her song was the celebration of this Festival! That Elvana was the news of this release, the voice and energy of the youth who danced together in the hall, bringing Albania, Kosovo and the Diaspora together! The matches announce the winners but not the losers. because successes never die.

After this Festival that I have done with my soul, I can say that I am poor and will never be on any jury, for any reason!
I believe in meritocracy and I deeply regret that I could not give voice to the public on this Festival’s platform! Excuse me if I disappointed you! I understand and respect your sensitivity! But keep your categories please! I was not on the jury and I did not choose the jury!

Elvana thank you! You came to this festival because you believed in my vision! You do not need the competition to confirm who you are, because you are who you are! And you have to feel victorious today, because all three members of the Eurovision International Jury gave you 18 points. These 2 points of Albania …. I’m speechless!”

See Alketa Vejsiu’s post here (it’s in Albanian),

Alketa Vejsiu, considered one of the most important television figures in Albania, normally empties the two women from Albania, who were members of the committee and essentially gave Arilena the low rating they gave Elvana.

Neither more or less, the festival’s winner is Elvana, and she apologizes to the audience for failing to make her voice heard.

Apparently, as she puts it, her arrows are directed at the Albanian public television, which chose this voting system and put the two specific ladies on the jury.

Recall that Arilena scored 67 points, with Elvana scoring just three points lower. See our related article for detailed results.

Below see Elvana’s appearance in the final:

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

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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:

 

Albania: The 12 Finalists of the Festivali i Këngës 58

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After the two FiK58 semifinals were completed, the festival’s five-member jury selected the 12 participants to compete in Sunday’s 22/12 final. The winner of the final night of Festivali i Këngës 58 will be honored to represent Albania at Eurovision 2020 in May in Rotterdam.

The 12 finalists of the Song Festival 58

(You can watch the finalists’ live appearances by clicking on the song title)

  1. Albërie Hadërgjonaj – “Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua” (Where can I find someone to love)
  2. Arilena Ara –  “Shaj” (Sweet as curse)
  3. Bojken Lako – “Malaseen” (Without seeing me
  4. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana” (With all)
  5. Era Rusi – “Eja Merre” (Come and Get it)
  6. Gena – “Shqiponja e lirë” (Free Eagle)
  7. Kamela Islamaj – “Më ngjyros” (Draw me)
  8. Olta Boka – “Shkrime në mur” (Slogans on the wall)
  9. Robert Berisha –  “Ajo nuk është unë” (This is not me)
  10. Sara Bajraktari – “Ajër” (Air)
  11. Tiri Gjoci – “Me gotën bosh” (With an empty glass)
  12. Valon Shehu – “Kutia e Pandorës” (Pandora’s box)

We remind you that the results at Festivali i Këngës 58 are exclusively determined by the jury vote in which apart from two domestic music professionals, are involved: Dimitris Kontopoulos for who we have long been informed that he will be among its members, Christer Bjorkman (producer of Melodifestivalen and Head of the Swedish Delegation) and Felix Bergsson (Head of the Icelandic Mission).

As you may already know in the final of Festivali i Këngës 58 will be featured as a guest unique Eleni Foureia, who through Instagram has shown her preferences for the festival winner and is none other than Elvana Gjata!

See you on Sunday, 22/12 from the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana and presenter Alketa Vejsiu to learn the first Eurovision 2020 song!

Albania: In a few minutes, the first FiK 58 semifinal

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In a few minutes, the first semifinal of Albania’s music festival Festivali i Këngës 58 takes place, with its winner representing the country at the Eurovision song contest. Alketa Vejsiu will be the host of the evening, which will be broadcasted live from the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana.

A total of 20 contestants are competing for the victory and the Albanian representation in Rotterdam. There are ten candidates in each semifinal. Listen to today’s participants below:

  1. Nadia and Genc Tukiçi – Ju flet Tirana
  2. Sara Bajraktari – Ajër
  3. Devis Xherahu – Bisedoj me serenatën
  4. Kanita Suma – Ankth
  5. Kamela Islamaj – Më ngjyros
  6. Bojken Lako – Malaseen
  7. Elvana Gjata – Me tana
  8. Aldo Bardhi – Melodi
  9. Renis Gjoka – Loja
  10. Albërie Hadërgjonaj – Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua

The jury panel of the Festivali i Këngës 58, made up of music professionals, will be the one to decide who will qualify for the grand finale on December 22. As you may remember –you were only briefed by EurovisionFun- the panel, this year, consists of international music experts.

Tonight’s guest will be this year’s Italian representative Mahmood, who performed “Soldi” and took second place in the final!

The first semi-final of Festivali i Këngës 58 will start at 20:30 CET time and you can watch it HERE.

Albania: The running order of the Festivali i Këngës 58 Semi-finals

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On December 22, we will find out the first Eurovision 2020 entry, after the final of the Festivali i Këngës 58. But earlier this year, 20 FiK candidates will compete in the two semifinals for the 10 tickets leading to the final. Albanian Public Broadcaster (RTSH) earlier revealed the distribution of the songs in the semifinals, as well as the order in which they will appear.

First Semi-final (December 19th):

  1. Nadia & Genc Tukiçi – “Ju flet Tirana” 
  2. Sara Bajraktari – “Ajër” 
  3. Devis Xherahu – “Bisedoj me serenatën” 
  4. Kanita – “Ankth” 
  5. Kamela Islamaj – “Më ngjyros” 
  6. Bojken Lako – “Malaseen” 
  7. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana” 
  8. Aldo Bardhi – “Melodi”
  9. Renisi Gjoka – “Loja” 
  10. Albërie Hadërgjonaj “Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua”

Second Semi-final ?(December 20th):

  1. Kastro Zizo (né Kleviz Bega) – “Asaj” 
  2. Tiri Gjoci – “Me gotën bosh” 
  3. Olta Boka – “Botë për Dy ”
  4. Era Rusi – “Eja Merre”
  5. Wendi Mancaku – “Ende” 
  6. Robert Berisha – “Ajo nuk është unë” 
  7. Gena – “Shqiponja e lirë” 
  8. Eli Fara & Stresi – “Bohem” 
  9. Arilena Ara “Shaj” 
  10. Valon Shehu – “Kutia e Pandorës” 

The innovation in FiK regulations compared to previous years, is that this year the results will also be determined by an international committee, which has already invited important personalities to staff it. Among those invited by RTSH to the international committee, as we revealed in our previous article, Greek author Dimitris Kontopoulos. FiK 58 is presented by Alketa Vejsiu.