The twenty-two participating songs for Festivali i Këngës 56 have been revealed to the public today.
Albanian broadcaster RTSH has uploaded all twenty-two songs that will participate in Festivali i Këngës 56 to their official YouTube channel. In total over 70 singers applied to take part in the show which has been used to select Albania’s participant in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2003.
The participants are as follows:
- Artemisa Mithi – E dua botën
- Bojken Lako – Sytë e shpirtit
- David & Genc Tukiqi – Të pandarë
- Denisa Gjezo – Zemër ku je
- Elton Deda – Fjalët
- Ergi Bregu-Latifllari – Bum bum
- Eugent Bushpepa – Mall
- Evans Rama – Gjurmët
- Grupi AkullthyesIit – Divorc
- Grupi Na & Festina Mezini – Tjetër jetë
- Grupi Lynx – Vonë
- Inest Neziri – Piedestal
- Lorela – Pritëm edhe pak
- Manjola Nallbani – I njëjti qiell
- Mariza Ikonomi – Unë
- Orgesa Zaimi – Ngrije zërin
- Redon Makashi – Egziston
- Rezarta Samja & Luis Ejlli – Ra një yll
- Stefi & Endri Prifti – Mesazh
- Tiri – Orë e ndalur
- Voltan Prodani – E pamundur
- Xhesika Polo – Përjetë
Listen to the entries here.
The twenty-two finalists were selected by a five-person jury formed of; Markelian Kapidani, Luan Zhegu, Ben Andoni, Sokol Marsi and Edmond Rapi. This year’s Festivali i Kenges will be of a high quality according to the five jury members, with some of the more well-known singers bringing “elaborate” songs to the competition.
The two semi-finals of Festivali i Këngës 56 will take place on 21st and 22nd of December and the Grand Final will take place on 23rd December.
Source: RTSH
Albania made their debut at the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2004, the same year the televised semi final was originally introduced to the competition. Albania succeeded in their first showing with Anjeza Shahini’s “The Image of You”, sailing through the semi final in 4th place and eventually landing in a respectable 7th place at the grand final. Albania have competed in the Eurovision Song Contest every single year since their debut, making 2018 their 15th appearance. Since the success in their original attempt, they have reach the grand final a further six times. They bettered their 2004 score in 2012 with Rona Nishliu’s song “Suus” who finished the contest in fifth place with 146 Points, their first time reaching the top 5 and their best placing to date.
Correction: Albania participated at Eurovision since 2004.