After confirming last week that the final of Festivali i Këngës 60 would take place on 29th December, EurovisionAlbania have now announced the 20 acts that will take part in the historic Albanian festival next month. The number of participants is down four this year, with 24 acts taking part in the competition in 2020.
Eurovision 2019 participant Jonida Maliqi will reportedly host the show with Rona Nishliu – who holds the record for Albania’s best Eurovision result – appearing as a special guest. Many artists will return to the festival after participating in the past – including FiK 59 participants Mirud and Evi Reci.
Who’s taking part?
20 acts will take part in this year’s Festivali i Këngës, which will be held over three nights from 27th to 29th December. The artists that will be taking part are:
- Alban Ramosaj
- Denis Skura
- Eldis Arrnjeti
- Evi Reci
- Endri & Stefi
- Ester Zahiri
- Gjergj Kacinari
- Janex
- Kastro Zizo
- Kelly
- Kejsi Rustja
- Mirud
- Olimpia Smajlaj
- Rezarta Smaja
- Ronela Hajati
- Sajmir Çili
- Shega
- Urban Band
- Viola Xhemali
- Xhuliana Pjetra
Albania at Eurovision 2021
In 2020, Albania was due to be represented by Arilena Ara with her song ‘Fall From the Sky‘. She had controversially won Festivali i Kenges 58 with “Shaj” the previous December, which had been translated to English for the contest.
However, RTSH opted to run a fresh contest for FIK 59, which Arilena did not return for. FIK 59 was a festival like no other, taking place outdoors in Tirana’s Italia Square in late December due to the pandemic. 26 participants became 25 when Manjola Nallbani contracted COVID-19 shortly before the festival. The first two nights were pre-recorded, with the final night being broadcast live on December 23.
Despite the challenges, Anxhela Peristeri triumphed with her entry “Karma”. Following a subtle revamp, the song remained in Albanian in Rotterdam, where she qualified from the second semi-final in 10th. She ultimately placed 21st in the Grand Final with 57 points.
Are you looking forward to Festivali i Këngës returning? Who would you like to see represent Albania at Eurovision next year? Let us know! 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 follow us on Spotify and YouTube to see our reactions to the news in the run up to the 2022 national final season!
