FiKmas of 2021 finally happened! Tonight we could watch the final of Festivali i Këngës 60. It was revealed that Ronela Hajati won the competition and will represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin!
Ronela came first at the Festivali i Këngës 60 with the song ‘Sekret‘, which was fully written by the contest winner. According to the rules and tradition, she also becomes the Eurovision 2022 representative of Albania. Interestingly, Ronela changed the lyrics slightly to include English in the chorus, currently making the song a mix between English and Albanian. Artists were invited to perform Eurovision versions of their songs tonight for the first time in FiK history.
The top 3 (or rather, 4) was as follows:
- Ronela Hajati – “Sekret”
- Alban Ramosaj – “Theje”
- Eldis Arrnjet – “Refuzoj” AND Rezarta Smaja – “E jemja nuse”
Festivali i Këngës 60
This year one of the famous Albanian music contests take place as well. It is also known as the Albanian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest since 2004. Festivali i Këngës 60 consisted of Contestants Night, Nostalgia Night and Final Night.
Established acts (the Final Night)
- Alban Ramosaj – “Theje”
- Denis Skura – “Pse nuk flet, mama?”
- Endri & Stefi Prifti – “Triumfi i jetës”
- Evi Reçi – “Më duaj”
- Gjergj Kaçinari – “Në ëndërr mbete ti”
- Janex – “Deluzional”
- Kastro Zizo – “Kujë”
- Kelly – “Meteor”
- Mirud – “Për dreq”
- Rezarta Smaja – “E jemja nuse”
- Ronela Hajati – “Sekret” – winner!
- Sajmir Çili – “Nën maskë”
- Shega – “Një”
- Urban Band – “Padrejtësi”
Newcomer acts (qualified for the Final Night)
- Eldis Arrnjeti – “Refuzoj”
- Ester Zahiri – “Hiena”
- Olimpia Smajlaj – “Dua”
Xtra Decides
Our team had some internal rankings and most of our members picked Ronela Hajati as their winner of Festivali i Këngës 60. Turns out Xtra members decided right! Feel free to check our scoreboard and reviews below.
Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest
Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest for the first time in 2004. The country’s best result was reached in 2012, when Rona Nishliu placed 5th.
In 2021 Anxhela Peristeri won the Festivali i Këngës 59 with the song “Karma”. Albania qualified for the Grand Final and placed 21st with 57 points overall.
Are you happy with the winner this 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 Turin 2022!
