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Festivali i Këngës, also referred to as simply FiK, is an annual music competition in Albania organised by the national broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). Broadcast every year since its inauguration in 1962, it has also determined the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest since 2004.
Elhaida Dani is an Albanian singer, songwriter, composer and actress. Born and raised in Shkodër, Dani performed in diverse singing competitions and started to play piano as a child. She rose to national recognition in the Albanian-speaking Balkans, after her victories at Star Academy Albania, Top Fest and Festivali i Këngës. In Italy, she is also prominent for being the winner of the first series of The Voice of Italy. Dani represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015 with the song "I'm Alive", after she won the 53rd edition of Festivali i Këngës. She participated in Kënga Magjike for the first time in 2017 with the song "E Ngrirë" whereas she finished second. She rose again great popularity in Italy as well as in France upon her international acting debut in the world renowned musical of Notre-Dame de Paris.
Andri Xhahu is an Albanian television and radio presenter, host and editor, who works for RTSH. Since 2012, he has served as the Albanian commentator and spokesperson for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden, with the song "Fairytale" performed by Eneda Tarifa. Its selected entry was chosen through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2015. To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 12 times since its first entry in 2004. Prior to the contest, the song was promoted by a music video and live performances in Israel, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Albania was drawn to compete in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 12 May 2016. Performing as number 17th, the nation was not announced among the top 10 entries of the second semi-final and therefore failed to qualify for the grand final, marking Albania's sixth non-qualification in the contest.
Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv, Ukraine, with the song "World" performed by Lindita Halimi. Its selected entry was chosen through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2016. To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 13 times since its first entry in 2004. Prior to the contest, the song was promoted by a music video and live performances in Israel, the Netherlands and Spain. Albania was drawn to compete in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 9 May 2017. Performing as number fourth, the nation was not announced among the top 10 entries of the first semi-final and therefore failed to qualify for the grand final, marking Albania's seventh non-qualification in the contest.
Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal, with the song "Mall" performed by Eugent Bushpepa. Its selected entry was chosen through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2017. To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest fourteen times since its first entry in 2004. Prior to the contest, the song was promoted by a music video and live performances in the Netherlands and Spain.
"Mall" is a song composed and written by Albanian singer and songwriter Eugent Bushpepa. It was released as a single on 6 April 2018 by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) and Universal Music. The song has been described as an Albanian language 1980s-inspired classical folk rock ballad. In its love-themed lyrics, it captures the feeling of longing and also reflects both the deep loneliness and the burning desire of a reunion.
Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel, with the song "Ktheju tokës" performed by Jonida Maliqi. Its selected entry was chosen through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2018. To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest fifteen times since its first entry in 2004. Prior to the contest, the song was promoted by a music video and live performances in the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.
"Ktheju tokës" is a song by Albanian singer Jonida Maliqi. It was released as a single on 8 March 2019 by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) and Universal. The song was composed and written by Eriona Rushiti, and produced by Enis Mullaj. It is musically an authentic and rhythmic Albanian-language folk-electronic ballad backed by traditional Albanian instruments. Lyrically, the song addresses the theme of migration, particularly to that of the Albanian people during the Kosovo War in the late 20th century.
Albania was scheduled to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with the song "Fall from the Sky" performed by Arilena Ara. Its selected entry was chosen through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2019. To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest sixteen times since its first entry in 2004. In March 2020, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced the contest's cancellation due to the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its rapid spread across Europe.
The Festivali i Këngës 2019 was the 58th edition of the annual Albanian music competition Festivali i Këngës. It was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) at the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana, Albania, and consisted of two semi-finals on 19 and 20 December, respectively, and the final on 22 December 2019. The three live shows were hosted by Alketa Vejsiu. The winner of the contest was Arilena Ara with the song "Shaj", after receiving 67 points with two points ahead over Elvana Gjata with the song "Me tana". Ara was then scheduled to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, before its cancellation related to the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
"Me tana" is a song by Albanian singer and songwriter Elvana Gjata released as a single on 10 December 2019 by East Music Matters (EMM). The song was written and composed by Gjata herself and produced by German-Greek producer UNIK. Musically, "Me tana" was described as an Albanian-language ethnic dance-pop song, which lyrically explores the theme of unconditional and hopeless love. Music critics and reviewers applauded the song upon its release, with praise concentrated on the song's composition, lyrics and Gjata's vocal delivery.
"Fall from the Sky" is a song by Albanian singer Arilena Ara independently released as a single on 9 March 2020. The song was composed by Darko Dimitrov and Lazar Cvetkovski, and written by Michael Blue, Robert Stevenson and Sam Schummer. Musically, it is a pop ballad with the instrumentation incorporating violins and a piano. The English-language song makes lyrically reference to Arilena's hopeless desire to overcome deep and perplexing emotions.
Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with the song "Karma" performed by Anxhela Peristeri. Its entry was selected through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2020. To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest sixteen times since its first entry in 2004. Prior to the contest, the song was promoted by a music video and various television and radio appearances in Albania, Greece, Kosovo and San Marino.
The Festivali i Këngës 2020 was the 59th edition of the annual Albanian music competition Festivali i Këngës. It was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in an open-air venue at the Sheshi Italia in Tirana, Albania, and consisted of two semi-finals on 21 and 22 December, respectively, and the final on 23 December 2020. The three live shows were hosted by Jonida Vokshi and Blendi Salaj. Due to the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the competition did not use the traditional symphonic orchestra and was not held as in the traditional location of the Pallati i Kongreseve but at the Sheshi Italia instead. Anxhela Peristeri with "Karma" emerged as the winner of the contest and represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Anxhela Peristeri is an Albanian singer, songwriter and model. She emerged as the winner of the 19th edition of Kënga Magjike in 2017. After winning the 59th edition of Festivali i Këngës in 2020, Peristeri was designated as the Albanian representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.
Festivali i Këngës 2021 was the 60th edition of the annual Albanian music competition Festivali i Këngës. It was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, Albania, and consisted of two semi-finals on 27 and 28 December, respectively, and the final on 29 December 2021. The three live shows were hosted by Ardit Gjebrea, Isli Islami, Jonida Maliqi, Kelvi Kadilli and Xhemi Shehu. Ronela Hajati with the song "Sekret" emerged as the winner of the contest and represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy.
"Theje" is a song by Albanian singer and songwriter Alban Ramosaj. The song was written and composed by Ramosaj himself and produced by Marko Polo. It was independently released as a single for digital download and streaming on 3 December 2021. The song is an Albanian-language ethnic ballad combining traditional Albanian instruments and sounds, with its lyrics focusing on the theme of unconditional love. Music critics and fans applauded the song, with praise concentrated on its ethnic nature and instrumentation, as well as Ramosaj's vocal delivery. An accompanying lyric video was premiered to the singer's official YouTube channel simultaneously with the single's release on 3 December.
Festivali i Këngës 2022 was the 61st edition of the annual Albanian music competition Festivali i Këngës. It was organised and broadcast by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) at the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, Albania. The Festival was held, for the first time in four shows, between 19 December to 22 December 2022, and was presented for the first time by Albanian presenter Arbana Osmani. Elsa Lila with the song "Evita" emerged as the winner of the festival by winning the jury's vote, while Albina & Familja Kelmendi won the televote with the song "Duje" and, thus, are set to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.
Albania is set to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, with "Duje" performed by Albina & Familja Kelmendi. Its entry was selected by a separate voting during the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës, which was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2022.
References
- ↑ "Alketa Vejsiu–Biografia". Tekste Shqip. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ↑ "Biography–Alketa Vejsiu". Alketa Vejsiu. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ↑ "Alketa Vejsiu". Startup Grind. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ↑ "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 19 September 2020.
- ↑ "Sanremo 2020, chi è Alketa Vejsiu, la popolare conduttrice albanese sul palco dell'Ariston durante la terza serata" (in Italian). Vanity Fair. 5 February 2020. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ↑ "Alketa Vejsiu a Sanremo 2021: la conduttrice albanese torna al Festival con un ruolo diverso" (in Italian). Opti Magazine. 9 September 2020. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.