Ahead of tonight’s semi final, the international jurors for Festivali i Këngës 58 have been confirmed! There was much speculation, but RTSH have finally set the record straight – Dimitris Kontopoulos, Christer Björkman and Felix Bergsson will help determine Albania’s entry for Eurovision 2020!
Following a number of speculated juror line-ups, RTSH have finally confirmed the three international jurors who will be assisting two to-be-announced Albanian jurors to decide who will be representing Albania in Rotterdam. As ever, the winner of Festivali i Këngës will be determined by 100% jury vote.
Festivali i Këngës 58
This year will see twenty acts take part in Albania’s longest-running music festival. Whereafter the winner will be the selected representative for Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. Before the live reveal during the RTSH news, a jury headed by conductor Zani Ciko chose the competing artists. The running order for the two semi finals are as follows:
Semi Final 1 – 19th December
- Nadia & Genc Tukici – Ju flet Tirana
- Sara Bajaktari – Ajer
- Devis Xherahu – Bisedoj me Serenaten
- Kanita – Ankth
- Kamela Islamaj – Me Ngjyros
- Bojken Lako – Malaseen
- Elvana Gjata – Me Tana
- Aldo Bardhi – Melodi
- Renisi Gjoka – Loja
- Alberie Hadergjonaj – Ku ta gjej dike ta dua
Semi Final 2 – 20th December
- Kastro Zizo – Asaj
- Tiri Gjoci – Me goten bosh
- Olta Boka – Bote per dy
- Era Rusi – Eja merre
- Wendi Mancaku – Ende
- Robert Berisha – Ajo nuk eshte une
- Gena – Shqiponja e Lire
- Eli Fara dhe Stresi – Bohem
- Arilena Ara – Shaj
- Valon Sheku – Kutia e Pandores
Ahead of the final, be sure to check out our prediction for Festivali i Këngës 58 below:
Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest
Albania debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2004 and has participated every year since. Anjeza Shahini was the first to fly the country’s flag at the contest with her song ‘The Image of You‘. She finished in a very respectable 7th place with 106 points.
Over the years, Albania qualified for the final on 8 occasions. So far, their best result is Rona Nishliu’s 5th place achieved in Baku in 2012 with her iconic ballad ‘Suus‘. Last year, Albania found success with Eugent Bushpepa and his song ‘Mall‘. He ended the night on 11th place with 184 points, giving Albania their third best result at the contest.
In Tel Aviv, Jonida Maliqi brought Albania its second consecutive qualification with ‘Ktheju Tökes’. Jonida qualified from the second semi-final in 9th place, and finished 17th overall in the Grand Final with 90 points.
What do you think of the international jurors? Let us know in the comments and on social media @ESCXTRA. Be sure to stay updated by following @ESCXTRA on Twitter, @escxtra on Instagram and liking our Facebook page for the latest updates. Also be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel to see our reactions to the news in the run up to Rotterdam!
