Eugent Bushpepa has stated that “Mall” will remain in Albanian for the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal.

In an interview with Eurovision Albania, Eugent Bushpepa has confirmed that “Mall” will remain in Albanian for the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Portugal. In the interview with Andri Xhahu, Eugent stated that he does not want to change the lyrics into English as the Albanian lyrics fit the melody of the song.

“Mall” will have to undergo a revamp due to it currently exceeding the 3 minute rule, by well over a minute. The last time that a song in Albanian represented Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest was in 2013, when Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko performed “Identitet” in Malmo, they failed to qualify for the final.

Albanian language songs at Eurovision:

2006 – Ljuiz Ejlli – Zjarr e ftohtë – 14th (SF) – 58 points

2007 – Frederik Ndoci – Hear My Plea – 17th (SF) – 49 points (Features Albanian lyrics)

2008 – Olta Boka – Zemrën e lamë peng – 17th (Final) – 55 points

2011 – Aurela Gace – Feel The Passion – 14th (SF) – 47 points

2012 – Rona Nishliu – Suus – 5th (Final) – 146 points

2013 – Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko – “Identitet” – 15th (SF) – 31 points

Eugent took the top prize after performing 13th in a field of 14 contestants who sang tonight at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, Albania. In second place is Redon Makashi with “Ekzistoj,” and in third place is Inis Neziri with “Piedestal.”

The winner was chosen by a panel of five judges from the Albanian music industry: Adrian Hila, Limoz Dizdari, Zana Çela, Ilirian Zhupa, and Markelian Kapedani.

Eugent, 33, is a rock singer-songwriter from Rrëshen, Albania. He first sang at Festivali i Këngës in 2008 in a duet with Rovena Dilo, where they placed 12th in a field of 20.

Source: Eurovision Albania

Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest Albania made their debut at the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2004, the same year the televised semi final was originally introduced to the competition. Albania succeeded in their first showing with Anjeza Shahini’s “The Image of You”, sailing through the semi final in 4th place and eventually landing in a respectable 7th place at the grand final. Albania have competed in the Eurovision Song Contest every single year since their debut, making 2018 their 15th appearance. Since the success in their original attempt, they have reach the grand final a further six times. They bettered their 2004 score in 2012 with Rona Nishliu’s song “Suus” who finished the contest in fifth place with 146 Points, their first time reaching the top 5 and their best placing to date.