Festivali i Këngës 58
Festivali i Këngës 58 was the 58th edition of the annual Albanian music competition Festivali i Këngës. The competition was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) and took place on 19, 20 and 22 December 2019 at the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana, Albania.
| Festivali i Këngës 58 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dates | |
| Semi-final 1 | 19 December 2019 |
| Semi-final 2 | 20 December 2019 |
| Final | 22 December 2019 |
| Host | |
| Venue | Pallati i Kongreseve, Tirana |
| Presenter(s) | Alketa Vejsiu |
| Host broadcaster | RTSH |
| Opening act |
|
| Interval act |
|
| Participants | |
| Number of entries | 20 |
| Vote | |
| Winning song | "Shaj" by Arilena Ara |
After the grand final, Arilena Ara and her song "Shaj" emerged as winner of the contest. She was then scheduled to represent the country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, before its cancellation due to the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China and its spread to other countries around Europe.
Format
The 58th edition of Festivali i Këngës was organised by the national broadcaster of Albania, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), for determining their representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. The former consisted of two semi-finals on 19 and 20 December, and the grand final on 22 December 2019, and was held at the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana.[1] The three live shows were hosted by Albanian television presenter Alketa Vejsiu.[1]
Interval acts
Radio Televizioni Shqiptar released the first details regarding the special guests prior to the first semi-final on 19 December 2019.[2][3][4] The opening act of the first semi-final featured Albanian singer Jonida Maliqi performing "Ktheju tokës".[5] The interval act in the first semi-final featured Italian singer Mahmood, performing "Barrio" and "Soldi".[6] The interval act in the second semi-final included Agim Krajka and Lindita Theodhori with the song "Kafe Flora".[7] During the final, Italian singer Giusy Ferreri and Albanian Greek singer Eleni Foureira performed.
Contestants
In October 2019, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) published a provisory list of 20 artists shortlisted to compete in the two semi-finals of the contest, with the songs being revealed on 9 December 2019.[8][9] Previously, the broadcaster had opened a submission period for artists and composers between May and September to participate in the competition.[10]
| Artist(s) | Song | Composer(s) | Lyricist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albërie Hadërgjonaj | "Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua" | Adrian Hila | Timo Flloko |
| Aldo Bardhi | "Melodi" | Antoni Polimeni, Richy Sebastian | Aldo Bardhi |
| Arilena Ara | "Shaj" | Darko Dimitrov, Lazar Cvetkovski | Lindon Berisha |
| Bojken Lako | "Malaseen" | Bojken Lako | |
| Devis Xherahu | "Bisedoj me serenatën" | Devis Xherahu | Jorgo Papingji |
| Eli Fara and Stresi | "Bohem" | Eli Fara | Rozana Radi |
| Elvana Gjata | "Me tana" | Elvana Gjata | |
| Era Rusi | "Eja merre" | Darko Dimitrov | Era Rusi |
| Gena | "Shqiponja e lirë" | Gena | Endrit Mumajesi |
| Genc Tukiçi and Nadia Tukiçi | "Ju flet Tirana" | Genc Tukiçi | Agim Xheka |
| Kamela Islamaj | "Më ngjyros" | Kamela Islamaj | Megi Hasani |
| Kanita Suma | "Ankth" | Boban Apostolov | Lindon Berisha |
| Kastro Zizo | "Asaj" | Gramoz Kozeli, Klevis Bega | |
| Olta Boka | "Botë për dy" | Florent Boshnjaku | Genc Salihu |
| Renis Gjoka | "Loja" | Renis Gjoka | Ilir Krasniqi |
| Robert Berisha | "Ajo nuk është unë" | Filloreta Raci | |
| Sara Bajraktari | "Ajër" | Adrian Hila | |
| Tiri Gjoci | "Me gotën bosh" | Everest Ndreca | Pandi Laço |
| Valon Shehu | "Kutia e Pandorës" | Eugent Bushpepa | Elvis Preni |
| Wendi Mancaku | "Ende" | Wendi Mancaku | Endrit Mumajesi |
Semi-finals
Semi-final 1
The first semi-final took place on 19 December 2019 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET).[11] Ten contestants participated in the first semi-final.[12] The highlighted contestants qualified for the final.[13]
| Draw | Artist(s) | Song |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Bojken Lako | "Malaseen" |
2 |
Kanita Suma | "Ankth" |
3 |
Devis Xherahu | "Bisedoj me serenatën" |
4 |
Aldo Bardhi | "Melodi" |
5 |
Kamela Islamaj | "Më ngjyros" |
6 |
Genc Tukiçi and Nadia Tukiçi | "Ju flet Tirana" |
7 |
Sara Bajraktari | "Ajër" |
8 |
Elvana Gjata | "Me tana" |
9 |
Renis Gjoka | "Loja" |
10 |
Albërie Hadërgjonaj | "Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua" |
Semi-final 2
The second semi-final took place on 20 December 2019 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET).[11] Ten contestants participated in the second semi-final. The highlighted contestants qualified for the final.[13]
| Draw | Artist(s) | Song |
|---|---|---|
1 |
Robert Berisha | "Ajo nuk është unë" |
2 |
Wendi Mancaku | "Ende" |
3 |
Kastro Zizo | "Asaj" |
4 |
Tiri Gjoci | "Me gotën bosh" |
5 |
Era Rusi | "Eja merre" |
6 |
Olta Boka | "Botë për dy" |
7 |
Valon Shehu | "Kutia e Pandorës" |
8 |
Arilena Ara | "Shaj" |
9 |
Eli Fara and Stresi | "Bohemë" |
10 |
Gena | "Shqiponja e lirë" |
Final
The grand final took place on 22 December 2019 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET).[11] The finalists were announced on 21 December 2019, and the winner was chosen by a jury consisting of two Albanian members and three international members with connections to the Eurovision Song Contest.[14][15] The jury was composed of Christer Björkman, Dimitris Kontopoulos, Felix Bergsson, Mikaela Minga and Rita Petro.[16][17] Arilena Ara emerged as the winner of the competition.[18][19]
| Draw | Artist | Song | C. Björkman | D. Kontopoulos | F. Bergsson | M. Minga | R. Petro | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |
Valon Shehu | "Kutia e Pandorës" | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 23 | 8 |
2 |
Sara Bajraktari | "Ajër" | 13 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 50 | 3 |
3 |
Robert Berisha | "Ajo nuk është unë" | 9 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 10 |
4 |
Tiri Gjoci | "Me gotën bosh" | 2 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 23 | 8 |
5 |
Bojken Lako | "Malaseen" | 3 | 8 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 45 | 4 |
6 |
Arilena Ara | "Shaj" | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 67 | 1 |
7 |
Gena | "Shqiponja e lirë" | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 10 |
8 |
Kamela Islamaj | "Më ngjyros" | 6 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 35 | 6 |
9 |
Albërie Hadërgjonaj | "Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua" | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 27 | 7 |
10 |
Elvana Gjata | "Me tana" | 18 | 18 | 18 | 2 | 8 | 64 | 2 |
11 |
Olta Boka | "Botë për dy" | 5 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 12 |
12 |
Era Rusi | "Eja merre" | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 43 | 5 |
See also
References
- "Nis countdown-i: Zbulohen datat kur do të mbahet Festivali i 58-të i Këngës në RTSH!" (in Albanian). RTSH. 28 October 2019. Archived from the original on 9 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- "Alketa Vejsiu, interviste ekskluzive për "Aperitiv Fest" në RTSH, zbulon të ftuarit specialë në 3 netët e Festivalit të 58-të". rtsh.al (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 6 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- "Alketa Vejsiu zbulon të ftuarit specialë të "Festivalit të Këngës"". blitz.al (in Albanian). 7 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- "Jo 3, por plot 15 minuta spektakël, Eleni Foureira premton t'i vërë flakën finales së Festivalit të Këngës!". festivali.rtsh.al (in Albanian). Festivali i Këngës. 15 December 2019. Retrieved 17 December 2019.
- "Albania: The first ten acts perform at Festivali i Këngës 58 but willl any of them be heading to Eurovision". eurovisionary.com. 19 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- "Festivali i Këngës 58: Songs to be released on 9 December, Mahmood confirmed as interval act". wiwibloggs.com. Wiwibloggs. 6 December 2019. Retrieved 7 December 2019.
- Michael Outerson (20 December 2019). "Albania: Second semi final of Festivali i Këngës 58 takes place and the finalists are still to be announced". eurovisionary.com. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- "Festivali i 58-të i Këngës në RTSH, juria përzgjedh 20 këngëtarët pjesëmarrës" (in Albanian). RTSH. 24 October 2019. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- Agam, Åri (8 December 2019). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 2019 song titles and composers revealed". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
- Granger, Anthony (28 May 2019). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 58 Submissions Open". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- "Netët e Festivalit". RTSH. Archived from the original on 24 April 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- "Përfundon nata e parë e Fest `58". festivali.rtsh.al (in Albanian). Festivali i Këngës. Retrieved 20 December 2019.
- "Albania: Semi-final allocations and running order confirmed for Festivali i Këngës 58". wiwibloggs.com. Wiwibloggs. 16 December 2019. Retrieved 16 December 2019.
- "Fest '58, dalin finalistët e natës së tretë". festivali.rtsh.al (in Albanian). Retrieved 21 December 2019.
- "Fest' 58, dalin pikët e plota të jurisë". festivali.rtsh.al (in Albanian). Retrieved 23 December 2019.
- ""Fest 58", 12 finalistët në garë për në finale e madhe të Festivalit të Këngës në RTSH, juria që do përzgjedhë më të mirin". rtsh.al (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 21 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- "Live-Blog Albanien heute 21 Uhr: Finale Festivali i Këngës 2019". esc-kompakt.de (in German). 22 December 2019. Retrieved 22 December 2019.
- "Arilena Ara me "Shaj" fiton Fest '58". rtsh.al (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 23 December 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
- "Festivali i 58-të i Këngës, Arilena Ara do të përfaqësojë Shqipërinë në Eurovizion". euronews.al (in Albanian). Euronews Albania. 23 December 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
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