RTSH has today confirmed that Albania will be participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.
Albania is the latest country to join the list of nations confirmed as participating in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. The confirmation follows North Macedonia, who confirmed their participation yesterday.
RTSH will select their entry for Eurovision 2021 through Festivali i Këngës 59. Kleart Duraj, the Head of Delegation for Albania, confirmed the news to ESC Plus:
“Festivali i Këngës will be the national final, supposing that the festival can take place keeping in mind whatever pandemic restrictions are in place at that time.”
This means that Arilena Ara, who was selected to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 with “Fall From the Sky”, would have to participate in Festivali i Këngës 59 with a new song if she would like to represent Albania at Eurovision 2021.
Song submissions for Festivali i Këngës 59 are currently underway. Songwriters and performers must either deliver their submissions to Radio Tirana by October 2, or email them directly to the broadcaster at festival@rtsh.al. You can find the full requirements for songs here.
The Eurovision Song Contest 2021
The 2021 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, on the 18th, 20th and 22nd of May, following the cancellation of the 2020 contest due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
To date the following artists have been confirmed as competing in the contest:
- Australia – Montaigne
- Austria – Vincent Bueno
- Azerbaijan – Samira Efendi
- Belgium – Hooverphonic
- Bulgaria – Victoria
- Czech Republic – Benny Cristo
- Georgia – Tornika Kipiani
- Greece – Stefania
- Israel – Eden Alene
- Latvia – Samanta Tina
- Malta – Destiny Chukunyere
- Netherlands – Jeangu Macrooy
- Romania – Roxen
- San Marino – Senhit
- Slovenia – Ana Soklic
- Spain – Blas Cantó
- Switzerland – Gjon’s Tears
- Ukraine – Go_A
While the following nations have confirmed their participation:
- Albania
- Armenia
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Lithuania
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Serbia
- Sweden
Image Source: Eurovision.tv – Thomas Hanses / Source: Eurovision Albania
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. 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.
