Jonida Maliqi

Beating 21 other contestants, Jonida won the 57th Festivali i Këngës, which serves as Albania’s national selection for Eurovision. Their entry is the first song known for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

Late November, Armenia presented Srbuk as their participant for the contest in Tel Aviv. Friday, the Cypriot broadcaster announced Tamta as their representative. Tonight Albania picked theirs who are then the third act – but the first song – known for next year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Tonight’s Festivali i Këngës final were a little different to previous years. The music festival still ran over three days, but featured only one semi-final. On the first evening, all acts performed their entry with a big orchestra. On the second evening, the orchestra was gone and instead focus was on presenting a stage show similar to what we can expect in Tel Aviv. 14 songs continued to the final where an expert jury selected the song that will represent the country in May next year.

The participant

22 acts competing in this year’s Albanian selection:

Bojken Lako – Jeto Jetën Alar Band – Dashuria -nuk Mjafton Lidia Lufi – Rrëfehem Kujtim Prodani – Babela (Eliminated in the semi-final) Gjergj Leka – Besoj Dilan Reka – Karma Mirud – Nënë (Eliminated in the semi-final) Soni Malaj – Më E Fortë Jonida Maliqi – Ktheju Tokës Elton Deda – Qetësisht Elona Islamaj – Në Këtë Botë Kalimtare (Eliminated in the semi-final) Klodiana Vata – Mbrëmje E Pafund (Eliminated in the semi-final) Klint Çollaku – Me Jetë Artemisa Mithi & Febi Shkurti – Dua Ta Besoj Kelly – A Më Ndjen (Eliminated in the semi-final) Bruno Pollogati – Nuk Ka Stop (Eliminated in the semi-final) Marko Strazimiri & Imbro – Leyla Lorela Sejdini – Vetmi Eliza Hoxha – Pengu Eranda Libohova – 100 Pyetje Aurel Thëllimi – Të Dua Ty (Eliminated in the semi-final) Orgesa Zaimi – Hije



Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest

The small country in South-East Europe debuted at the contest in 2004. With the song The Image Of You, Anjeza Shahini came 7th. Today, that is still their second best result, only beaten by Rona Nishliu and her Suus in 2012 which finished 5th.

With 15 participations, Albania qualified for the final eight times. This year, in 2018, Eugent Bushpepa brought the country into the final after two years missing out. Eventually, he came in as 11th showing off his powerful voice with the song Mall.

In the video below, enjoy Engent perform his Eurovision entry live in Amsterdam for the 2018 Eurovision In Concert.