Today the traditional Festivali i Kënges will kick off with 25 participants competing for the big prize. Once again, the Albanian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest will be selected from this show. This time, however, the performances will be broadcast pre-recorded.
25 participants selected by an expert panel will compete at this year’s edition of Festivali i Kënges, but only some of them will reach the final, which will take place on Thursday:
- Agim Poshka – “Vendi im”
- Anxhela Peristeri – “Karma”
- Devis Xherahu- “Peng”
- Enxhi Nasufi- “Njësoj”
- Era Rusi – “Zjarri im”
- Erik Lloshi – “Jo”
- Evi Reçi – “Tjerr”
- Fatos Shabani – “Ty”
- Festina Mejzini – “Kush je ti dashuri”
- Florent Abrashi – “Vajzë”
- Franc Koruni – “E morën botën”
- Gigliola Haveriku – “E lirë”
- Gjergj Kaçinari – “Më jep jetë”
- Inis Neziri – “Pendesë”
- Kamela Islamaj – “Kujtimet s’kanë formë”
- Kastro Zizo – “Vallja e jetës”
- Klint Çollaku – “Do t’ia dal”
- Mirud – “Nëse vdes”
- Orgesa Zaimi – “Valixhja e kujtimeve”
- Rosela Gjylbegu – “Vashëzo”
- Sardi Strugaj – “Ka me t’ba me kajt”
- Stefan Marena – “Meteor”
- Viktor Tahiraj – “Nënë”
- Wendi Mancaku – “Vesi i shpirti tim”
- Xhesika Polo – “Më mbron”
This year, as in 2020, the outcome will be decided by the jury panel, but, unlike last year, the contest will be broadcast open air due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The place for the competition will be the Sheshi Italia in Tirana instead of Pallati i Kongreseve.
At the first semi-final, the participants will perform their entries in their original versions. Tomorrow, at the second semi-final, we will see them performing their songs in acoustic. Sadly, we won’t be able to enjoy the live orchestra at the 59th edition of Festivali i Kënges.
You can watch the First Semi-Final of Festivali i Kënges 2020, which will be hosted by actress Jonida Vokshi and Albanian host Blendi Salaj, at 21.00 CET on RTSH.