Arilena Ara has just won Festivali i Këngës 2019 and will represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. She will perform ‘Shaj’ on the big stage in Rotterdam. The fan favourite Elvana Gjata has reached second place, while the young singer Sara Bajraktari has come third.
The 2020 Albanian entry is composed by Darko Dimitrov, author of the 2019 Macedonian entry ‘Proud’, Lazar Cvetkovski and written by Lindon Berisha.
A total of 20 acts competed in live shows of FiK 58 that has taken place for the last few days. However, only 12 entries reached the final of the music contest:
- Albërie Hadërgjonaj – “Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua”
- Arilena Ara – “Shaj”
- Bojken Lako – “Malaseen”
- Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”
- Era Rusi – “Eja merre”
- Gena – “Shqiponja e lirë”
- Kamela Islamaj – “Më ngjyros”
- Olta Boka –“Botë për dy”
- Robert Berisha – “Ajo nuk është unë”
- Sara Bajraktari – “Ajër”
- Tiri Gjoci – “Me gotën bosh”
- Valon Shehu – “Kutia e Pandorës”
The winner was selected by a 5-person jury panel made up of two Albanian professionals and three international members, Swedish producer Christer Björkman, Greek composer and songwriter Dimitris Kontopoulos and the Icelandic Head of Delegation Felix Bergsson.
Today’s show saw Eleni Foureira perform for 15 minutes on the stage at Tirana’s Palace of Congresses. She brought the “Fuego” to the Albanian public and other hits. Eleni was born in Albania and represented Cyprus at Eurovision 2018 giving the island its best result until the date.
Now, we have to wait a few months to know if the song will be revamped and kept in the Albanian language. Further information will be revealed in due course.
What do you think about the Albanian winner? Let us know!
Great winner 😀