RTSH has revealed the candidates that will compete at the upcoming edition of Festivali i Këngës. The Albanian broadcaster, which won’t select Arilena Ara internally, will select their 2021 Eurovision entry from their traditional song contest.
From all the submissions received, a professional jury panel made up of Alma Bektashi, Jonida Maliqi (Albania 2019), Agim Doçi, Klodian Qafoku and Eugent Bushpepa (Albania 2018) shortlisted the 26 songs that will take part at the 59th edition of Festivali i Këngës:
- Devis Xherahu – Peng
- Orgesa Zaimi – Valixhja e kujtimeve
- Festina Mejzini – Kush je ti dashuri
- Franc Koruni – E morën botën
- Inis Neziri – Pendesë
- Sardi Strugaj – Kam me t’ba me kajt
- Gjergj Kaçinari – Më jep jetë
- Durim Morina (Mirudi) – Nëse vdes
- Evi Reçi – Tjerr
- Rosela Gjylbegu – Vashëzo
- Klevis Bega (Kastro Ziso) – Vallja e jetës
- Klinti Çollaku – Do t’ja dal
- Anxhela PeristeriKarma
- Wendi Mancaku – Si ajo
- Fatos Shabani – Ty
- Florent Abrashi – Vajzë
- Enxhi Nasufi – Njësoj
- Kamela Islamaj – Ajo vajza
- Era Rusi – Zjarri im
- Erikson Lloshi – Jo
- Xhesika Polo – Më mbron
- Manjola Nallbani – Ora e jetës
- Giliola Haveriku – E lirë
- Viktor Tahiraj – Nënë
- Agim Poshka – Vendi im
- Stefan Marena – Meteor
The dates of Festivali i Këngës haven’t been revealed yet, but they will be subjected to the COVID-19 pandemic in Albania.
Arilena Ara won the 58th edition of the Albanian music festival with the song “Shaj”, which she revamped for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. She was going to perform the English version of the track, called “Fall From The Sky”.