Happy FiKmas everyone! The national final season is truly kicking off tonight with Albania’s Festivali i Kรซnges and that means it’s time for our last pick of the day. Yassia chose a song from the only country we could honour today, Albania!
Albania 2004: Anjeza Shahini – The Image Of You (7th place)
Anjeza Shahini from Albania is staring our last pick of the 21st century for now. Anjeza was just 17 years old, when sheโs got a very important mission โ to represent Albania in its debut year at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 in Turkey with a song โThe image of youโ.ย ย I my view, it was a very nice choice indeed, especially having in mind that Albania was at that time a country with no Eurovision experience at all. Anjeza Shahini performed in the final and even took the 7th place out of 24 participants.
โThe image of youโ is a very cute cheerful song with a catchy melody, which made the audience sing and dance together with Anjeza. Besides, it was a solid vocal performance. These were the key points of, as for me, a successful debut of Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest. In fact, it remains the second best result for Albania in the history of their participation in the Contest. So far, only Rona Nishliu managed to get the 5th place for Albania in 2012 with her unusual song and a very strong vocal performance. All in all, Albania has participated in the Eurovision 12 times since 2004. The countryยดs participants made it to the Grand final 7 times.
Coming back to Anjeza Shahini, itยดs important to point out that she has proceeded with her music career. Anjeza released her first album in 2008. She has been trying to represent Albania in the Eurovision song contest several times more, but she couldnโt win the National selection. Letยดs see if one day she is back to the Eurovision stage.
Good luck, Albania!
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