22 participants have been revealed for Albania’s national selection Festivali i Këngës. In the days 20th – 22nd of December, the country will pick its 2019 Eurovision Song Contest representative.
Eugent Bushpepa finished 11th in this year’s Eurovision final. That was Albania’s best result since Rona Nishliu came 5th in 2012. Who will follow in Eugent’s footsteps? A few intense days, just before many celebrate Christmas, will decide that.
54 songs were submitted to broadcaster RTSH. Those have been cut down to 22 who will compete in two semi-finals on the 20th and 21st of December 2018. On the 22nd of December, the lucky finalists will battle it out with the winner getting to represent Albania at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest held in Tel Aviv, Israel.
57th Festivali i Këngës participants
- Aurel Thellimi – Të Dua Ty
- Bojken Lako – Jete Jeten
- Bruno Pollogati – Nuk Ka Stop
- Dilan Reka – Karma
- Eliza Hoxha – Pengu
- Elona Islamaj – Në Këtë Botë Kalimtarë
- Elton Deda – Qetësisht
- Eranda Libohova – 100 Pyetje
- Gjergj Leka – Besoj
- Alar Band – Dashuria Nuk Mjafton
- Jonida Maliqi – Ktheju Tokës
- Kelly – A Më Ndjën
- Klint Collaku – Me Jete
- Klodiana Vata – Mbremje E Pafund
- Kujtim Prodani – Babela
- Lidia Lufi – Rrëfehem
- Lorela Sejdini – Vetmi
- Marko Strazimiri & Imbro – Lejla
- Mirud – Nënë
- Orgesa Zaimi – Hije
- Soni Malaj – Do Vij
- Vikena Kamenica – Natën E Mirë
Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest
Back in 2004, Anjeza Shahini secured Albania a 7th place in their Eurovision debut. Today, her song The Image Of You, still stand as the second best the country did at Eurovision. Rona Nishliu came 5th in 2012 (best Albanian result), and last year Eugent Bushpepa and his Mall came in as 11th, and snatched the third best.
In their 15 participants, the country has made it to the final 8 times. When Eugent did so this year, the country had failed the two previous years.
In the video below, remind yourself of the strong voice from Eugent Bushpepa. This performance of Mall is from Eurovision In Concert 2018 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands:
