Festivali i Këngës 59
| Festivali i Këngës 2020 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dates | |
| Semi-final | 21 December 2020 22 December 2020 |
| Final | 23 December 2020 |
| Host | |
| Venue | Sheshi Italia, Tirana |
| Presenter(s) |
|
| Host broadcaster | Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |
| Participants | |
| Number of entries | 26 |
| Vote | |
| Winning song | "Karma" by Anxhela Peristeri |
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, and the final on 23 December 2020. The three live shows were hosted by Jonida Vokshi and Blendi Salaj.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the competition did not use the traditional symphonic orchestra and was not held as traditionally at the Pallati i Kongreseve but rather in an open-air location at the Sheshi Italia. Anxhela Peristeri with "Karma" emerged as the winner of the contest will therefore represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Format
The 59th edition of Festivali i Këngës was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in order to determine Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.[1][2] The former consisted of two semi-finals on 21 and 22 December, and the final on 23 December 2020.[3][4][5] The three shows were hosted by Albanian actress Jonida Vokshi and Albanian host Blendi Salaj.[6][7]
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic
For the first time, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the competition did not involved the usual symphonic orchestra and was not held as traditionally at the Pallati i Kongreseve but rather in an open-air location at the Sheshi Italia.[8][6] As a result of the aforementioned, the performances of the semi-final and final were pre-recorded prior to the scheduled dates.[9]
Contestants
Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) opened a submission period for artists and composers to participate in the competition between August and October 2020.[10] On 28 October, it published a provisory list of twenty-six artists and songs shortlisted by a jury panel, consisting of Agim Doçi, Alma Bektashi, Eugent Bushpepa, Jonida Maliqi and Klodian Qafoku, to compete in the semi-final of the contest.[11][12][13][14] On 16 November, the broadcaster ultimately released all of the competing songs on its official YouTube channel.[15][16][17]
| Artist(s) | Song | Composer(s) | Lyricist(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agim Poshka | "Vendi im" | Agim Poshka | |
| Anxhela Peristeri | "Karma" | Kledi Bahiti | Olti Curri |
| Devis Xherahu | "Peng" | Devis Xherahu | Pandi Laço |
| Enxhi Nasufi | "Njësoj" | Boocky DJ | Enxhi Nasufi |
| Era Rusi | "Zjarri im" | Enis Mullaj | Era Rusi, Eriona Rushiti |
| Erik Lloshi | "Jo" | Enis Mullaj | Endrit Mumajesi |
| Evi Reçi | "Tjerr" | Olsa Toqi | Florian Zyka |
| Fatos Shabani | "Ty" | Fatos Shabani | |
| Festina Mejzini | "Kush je ti dashuri" | Flamur Shehu | Jorgo Papingji |
| Florent Abrashi | "Vajzë" | Bledi Shishmani | |
| Franc Koruni | "E morën botën" | Franc Koruni | |
| Giliola Haveriku | "E lirë" | Endrit Shani | Atina Laço |
| Gjergj Kaçinari | "Më jep jetë" | Gjergj Kaçinari | Gjergj Kaçinari, Ilir Krasniqi |
| Inis Neziri | "Pendesë" | Inis Neziri | Elhaid Cufi |
| Kamela Islamaj | "Kujtimet s'kanë formë" | Kamela Islamaj | Megi Hasani |
| Kastro Zizo | "Vallja e jetës" | Kastro Zizo | |
| Klinti Çollaku | "Do t'ja dal" | Endrit Shani | Pandi Laço |
| Manjola Nallbani[a] | "Ora e jetës" | Eriona Rushiti | |
| Mirud | "Nëse vdes" | Durim Morina | |
| Orgesa Zaimi | "Valixhja e kujtimeve" | Gridi Kraja | Olti Curri |
| Rosela Gjylbegu | "Vashëzo" | Eriona Rushiti | Rosela Gjylbegu |
| Sardi Strugaj | "Kam me t'ba me kajt" | Edesa Malçi | Sardi Strugaj |
| Stefan Marena | "Meteor" | Gramoz Kozeli | Klotilda Harka |
| Viktor Tahiraj | "Nënë" | Artur Dhamo | Nexhip Seraj |
| Wendi Mancaku | "Vesi i shpirtit tim" | Wendi Mancaku | Rozana Radi |
| Xhesika Polo | "Më mbron" | Marko Polo | Aleksandër Seitaj, Xhesika Polo |
Semi-finals
Semi-final 1
The first semi-final took place on 21 December 2020 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET).[3][20] During the show, the competing participants performed the official studio version of their entries.[21] Prior to the second semi-final, the selected eighteen songs to advance to the final were announced.[22]
| Draw | Artist(s) | Song |
|---|---|---|
1
|
Enxhi Nasufi | "Njësoj" |
2
|
Franc Koruni | "E morën botën" |
3
|
Giliola Haveriku | "E lirë" |
4
|
Orgesa Zaimi | "Valixhja e kujtimeve" |
5
|
Erik Lloshi | "Jo" |
6
|
Viktor Tahiraj | "Nënë" |
7
|
Agim Poshka | "Vendi im" |
8
|
Kastro Zizo | "Vallja e jetës" |
9
|
Wendi Mancaku | "Vesi i shpirtit tim" |
10
|
Gjergj Kaçinari | "Më jep jetë" |
11
|
Era Rusi | "Zjarri im" |
12
|
Devis Xherahu | "Peng" |
13
|
Stefan Marena | "Meteor" |
14
|
Rosela Gjylbegu | "Vashëzo" |
15
|
Sardi Strugaj | "Kam me t'ba me kajt" |
16
|
Xhesika Polo | "Më mbron" |
17
|
Florent Abrashi | "Vajzë" |
18
|
Fatos Shabani | "Ty" |
19
|
Anxhela Peristeri | "Karma" |
20
|
Evi Reçi | "Tjerr" |
21
|
Inis Neziri | "Pendesë" |
22
|
Klinti Çollaku | "Do t'ja dal" |
23
|
Festina Mejzini | "Kush je ti dashuri" |
24
|
Kamela Islamaj | "Kujtimet s'kanë formë" |
25
|
Mirud | "Nëse vdes" |
Semi-final 2
The second semi-final took place on 22 December 2020 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET).[3][20] During the show, the competing participants performed an acoustic version of their entries.[21]
| Draw | Artist(s) | Song |
|---|---|---|
1
|
Florent Abrashi | "Vajzë" |
2
|
Stefan Marena | "Meteor" |
3
|
Wendi Mancaku | "Vesi i shpirtit tim" |
4
|
Viktor Tahiraj | "Nënë" |
5
|
Sardi Strugaj | "Kam me t'ba me kajt" |
6
|
Giliola Haveriku | "E lirë" |
7
|
Kastro Zizo | "Vallja e jetës" |
8
|
Agim Poshka | "Vendi im" |
9
|
Evi Reçi | "Tjerr" |
10
|
Mirud | "Nëse vdes" |
11
|
Festina Mejzini | "Kush je ti dashuri" |
12
|
Anxhela Peristeri | "Karma" |
13
|
Erik Lloshi | "Jo" |
14
|
Inis Neziri | "Pendesë" |
15
|
Franc Koruni | "E morën botën" |
16
|
Fatos Shabani | "Ty" |
17
|
Era Rusi | "Zjarri im" |
18
|
Klinti Çollaku | "Do t'ja dal" |
19
|
Devis Xherahu | "Peng" |
20
|
Xhesika Polo | "Më mbron" |
21
|
Gjergj Kaçinari | "Më jep jetë" |
22
|
Kamela Islamaj | "Kujtimet s'kanë formë" |
23
|
Enxhi Nasufi | "Njësoj" |
24
|
Rosela Gjylbegu | "Vashëzo" |
25
|
Orgesa Zaimi | "Valixhja e kujtimeve" |
Final
The final took place on 23 December 2020 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET).[3][20] The winner will be chosen by a seven-member jury consisting of Prec Zogaj, Rame Lahaj, Robert Radoja, Vasil Tole, Zana Shuteriqi and two others.[23] Prior to the end of the show, Anxhela Peristeri emerged as the winner of the competition and was simultaneously announced as the country's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.
On 24 December, RTSH revealed the full final results.[24][25]
| Draw | Artist | Song | R. Radoja | P. Zogaj | L. Zhegu | Z. Shuteriqi | R. Lahaj | V. Tole | E. Zhulali | J. Barbullushi | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1
|
Sardi Strugaj | "Kam me t'ba me kajt" | 5 | 35 | 25 | 50 | 50 | 35 | 2 | 40 | 242 | 2 |
2
|
Xhesika Polo | "Më mbron" | 7 | 40 | 4 | 9 | 35 | 5 | 40 | 25 | 165 | 7 |
3
|
Orgesa Zaimi | "Valixhja e kujtimeve" | 8 | 6 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 20 | 4 | 91 | 13 |
4
|
Wendi Mancaku | "Vesi i shpirti tim" | 4 | 30 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 30 | 35 | 125 | 9 |
5
|
Era Rusi | "Zjarri im" | 9 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 45 | 6 | 1 | 20 | 109 | 10 |
6
|
Gjergj Kaçinari | "Më jep jetë" | 20 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 6 | 25 | 8 | 6 | 74 | 16 |
7
|
Rosela Gjylbegu | "Vashëzo" | 15 | 45 | 30 | 7 | 30 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 140 | 8 |
8
|
Devis Xherahu | "Peng" | 10 | 7 | 1 | 35 | 9 | 20 | 25 | 1 | 108 | 11 |
9
|
Mirud | "Nëse vdes" | 1 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 40 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 67 | 17 |
10
|
Gigliola Haveriku | "E lirë" | 2 | 9 | 20 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 30 | 88 | 14 |
11
|
Viktor Tahiraj | "Nënë" | 40 | 8 | 45 | 15 | 1 | 15 | 35 | 8 | 167 | 6 |
12
|
Kamela Islamaj | "Kujtimet s'kanë formë" | 6 | 10 | 8 | 20 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 64 | 18 |
13
|
Florent Abrashi | "Vajzë" | 45 | 15 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 7 | 95 | 12 |
14
|
Inis Neziri | "Pendesë" | 35 | 4 | 10 | 45 | 25 | 45 | 15 | 3 | 182 | 4 |
15
|
Evi Reçi | "Tjerr" | 25 | 20 | 40 | 25 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 50 | 180 | 5 |
16
|
Anxhela Peristeri | "Karma" | 50 | 50 | 35 | 40 | 15 | 50 | 50 | 15 | 305 | 1 |
17
|
Festina Mejzini | "Kush je ti dashuri" | 30 | 25 | 50 | 5 | 7 | 40 | 45 | 45 | 237 | 3 |
18
|
Kastro Zizo | "Vallja e jetës" | 3 | 5 | 2 | 30 | 20 | 8 | 3 | 10 | 81 | 15 |
See also
Notes
- ^ Prior to the first semi-final, Manjola Nallbani announced that she has tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and she has not withdrawn from the competition.[18] However, during the scheduled rehearsals of the competition, she was ultimately forced to withdraw.[19]
References
- ^ Jiandani, Sanjay (Sergio) (17 September 2020). "Albania: RTSH confirms participation in Eurovision 2021". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ Adams, William Lee (17 September 2020). "Albania confirms Eurovision 2021 participation…and its hope to use Festivali i Këngës as the selection method". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d Hertlein, Benjamin (14 December 2020). "Albanien: 59. Festivali i Këngës am 21., 22. und 23. Dezember 2020" (in German). ESC kompakt. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
- ^ Jansen, Esma (1 July 2020). "Albania: RTSH confirms Festivali i Këngës 59… but will Arilena Ara be there?". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; 17 September 2020 suggested (help) - ^ Tejeci, Erdi (6 November 2020). "Festivali i Këngës 59: Albania sets December dates and confirms outdoor, open-air location". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- ^ a b Granger, Anthony (6 November 2020). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 59 To Be Held Between December 17 & 26". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- ^ "Zbulohen detaje nga Fest '59" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni 21 (RTV21). 6 November 2020. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- ^ "Drejtuesit e Festivalit të 59-të prezantojnë platformën e edicionit të ri" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 6 November 2020. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
- ^ Farren, Neil (16 December 2020). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 59 to Be Mostly Pre-Recorded". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ Christou, Costa (14 August 2020). "Albania: RTSH launches preparations for Festivali i Këngës 59". ESCXTRA. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
{{cite web}}:|archive-date=/|archive-url=timestamp mismatch; 17 September 2020 suggested (help) - ^ Granger, Anthony (28 October 2020). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 59 Participants Revealed". Eurovoix. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ Smith, David (28 October 2020). "Albania: 26 artists confirmed for Festivali i Këngës 59…including Orgesa Zaimi, Inis Neziri and Era Rusi". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ Jumawan, Tim (28 October 2020). "Participants for Festivali i Këngës 59 is confirmed". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Ja këngët e Fest '59" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 29 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ "Fest' 59, produksionet muzikore mund t'i dëgjoni në YouTube" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 16 November 2020. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
- ^ Smith, David (16 November 2020). "Listen: Albania's RTSH reveals all 26 competing songs of Festivali i Këngës 59". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ Jumawan, Tim (16 November 2020). "🇦🇱 Entries for Festivali i Këngës 59 are released". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
- ^ Tejeci, Erdi (1 December 2020). "Albania: FiK 59 contestant Manjola Nallbani tests positive for Covid-19". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- ^ Christou, Costa (16 December 2020). "First two nights of Festivali i Këngës 59 to be pre-recorded?". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
- ^ a b c Muldoon, Padraig (21 December 2020). "Festivali i Këngës 59: How to watch Albania's Eurovision 2021 selection online". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ a b Farren, Neil (16 December 2020). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 59 to Be Mostly Pre-Recorded". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
- ^ "The finalists for Festivali i Këngës have been announced". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 22 December 2020. Archived from the original on 22 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
- ^ Adams, William Lee (23 December 2020). "Who should win Festivali i Këngës 59? Inis Neziri tops our readers poll with Era Rusi in second". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
- ^ Hyska, Turjan. "Eurovision Albania". ESC Albania. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
- ^ https://eurovisionworld.com/esc/albania-2021-here-are-the-qualifiers-of-festivali-i-kenges-59. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
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