The Festivali i Këngës 58 was the 58th edition of the annual Albanian music competition Festivali i Këngës. It was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) at the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana, Albania, and consisted of two semi-finals on 19 and 20 December, respectively, and the final on 22 December 2019. The three live shows were hosted by Alketa Vejsiu. The winner of the contest was Arilena Ara with the song "Shaj", after receiving 67 points with two points ahead over Elvana Gjata with the song "Me tana". Ara was then scheduled to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, before its cancellation related to the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
| Festivali i Këngës 2019 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dates | |
| Semi-final 1 | 19 December 2019 |
| Semi-final 2 | 20 December 2019 |
| Final | 22 December 2019 |
| Host | |
| Venue | Pallati i Kongreseve, Tirana |
| Presenter(s) | Alketa Vejsiu |
| Host broadcaster | Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |
| Participants | |
| Number of entries | 20 |
| Vote | |
| Voting system | Jury selected the top three contestants and the Albanian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. |
| Winning song | "Shaj" by Arilena Ara |
Background and format
editThe 58th edition of Festivali i Këngës was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) for determining for determining Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. The former consisted of two semi-finals on 19 and 20 December, respectively, and the final on 22 December 2019, and was held at the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana.[1] The three live shows were hosted by Albanian television presenter Alketa Vejsiu.[1]
Interval acts
editOn 31 October 2020, RTSH released the first details of the interval acts.[2][3][4] The opening act of the first semi-final featured Albanian singer Jonida Maliqi performing "Ktheju tokës".[5] The interval act featured Italian singer Mahmood, who performed "Barrio" and "Soldi".[6] The second semi-final's interval act included Agim Krajka and Lindita Theodhori who performed "Kafe Flora".[7] During the grand final, Italian singer Giusy Ferreri and Albanian-born Greek singer Eleni Foureira performed mashups of several of their songs.[4]
Contestants
editPrior to the scheduled event, in October 2019, RTSH published a provisory list of 20 artists shortlisted to compete in the two semi-finals of Festivali i Këngës, with the songs being revealed on 9 December.[8][9] The broadcaster had previously opened a submission period for artists and composers to participate in the competition between May and September 2019.[10]
| Artist(s) | Song | Composer(s) | Lyricist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albërie Hadërgjonaj | "Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua" | Adrian Hila | Timo Flloko |
| Aldo Bardhi | "Melodi" | Antoni Polimeni, Richy Sebastian | Aldo Bardhi |
| Arilena Ara | "Shaj" | Darko Dimitrov, Lazar Cvetkovski | Lindon Berisha |
| Bojken Lako | "Malaseen" | Bojken Lako | |
| Devis Xherahu | "Bisedoj me serenatën" | Devis Xherahu | Jorgo Papingji |
| Eli Fara and Stresi | "Bohem" | Eli Fara | Rozana Radi |
| Elvana Gjata | "Me tana" | Elvana Gjata | |
| Era Rusi | "Eja merre" | Darko Dimitrov | Era Rusi |
| Gena | "Shqiponja e lirë" | Gena | Endrit Mumajesi |
| Genc Tukiçi and Nadia Tukiçi | "Ju flet Tirana" | Genc Tukiçi | Agim Xheka |
| Kamela Islamaj | "Më ngjyros" | Kamela Islamaj | Megi Hasani |
| Kanita Suma | "Ankth" | Boban Apostolov | Lindon Berisha |
| Kastro Zizo | "Asaj" | Gramoz Kozeli, Klevis Bega | |
| Olta Boka | "Botë për dy" | Florent Boshnjaku | Genc Salihu |
| Renis Gjoka | "Loja" | Renis Gjoka | Ilir Krasniqi |
| Robert Berisha | "Ajo nuk është unë" | Filloreta Raci | |
| Sara Bajraktari | "Ajër" | Adrian Hila | |
| Tiri Gjoci | "Me gotën bosh" | Everest Ndreca | Pandi Laço |
| Valon Shehu | "Kutia e Pandorës" | Eugent Bushpepa | Elvis Preni |
| Wendi Mancaku | "Ende" | Wendi Mancaku | Endrit Mumajesi |
Semi-finals
editSemi-final 1
editThe first semi-final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 19 December 2019 and was broadcast live at 21:00 (CET).[11][12] The qualifying songs were selected by a jury panel consisting of two national and three international members with connections to the Eurovision Song Contest.[13] 10 contestants participated in the first semi-final, while the highlighted contestants qualified for the grand final.[12][14][15] The first semi-final was opened by the country's Eurovision Song Contest 2019 representative Jonida Maliqi performing her song "Ktheju tokës".[16] The interval act included Mahmood performing his songs "Barrio" and "Soldi".[17]
| Draw | Artist(s) | Song |
|---|---|---|
1
|
Bojken Lako | "Malaseen" |
2
|
Kanita Suma | "Ankth" |
3
|
Devis Xherahu | "Bisedoj me serenatën" |
4
|
Aldo Bardhi | "Melodi" |
5
|
Kamela Islamaj | "Më ngjyros" |
6
|
Genc Tukiçi and Nadia Tukiçi | "Ju flet Tirana" |
7
|
Sara Bajraktari | "Ajër" |
8
|
Elvana Gjata | "Me tana" |
9
|
Renis Gjoka | "Loja" |
10
|
Albërie Hadërgjonaj | "Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua" |
Semi-final 2
editThe second semi-final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 20 December 2019 and was broadcast live at 21:00 (CET).[11][18] The qualifying songs were selected by a jury panel consisting of two national and three international members with connections to the Eurovision Song Contest.[13] 10 contestants participated in the second semi-final, while the highlighted contestants qualified for the grand final.[15][18] The interval act in the second semi-final featured Agim Krajka and Lindita Theodhori with the song "Kafe Flora".[19]
| Draw | Artist(s) | Song |
|---|---|---|
1
|
Robert Berisha | "Ajo nuk është unë" |
2
|
Wendi Mancaku | "Ende" |
3
|
Kastro Zizo | "Asaj" |
4
|
Tiri Gjoci | "Me gotën bosh" |
5
|
Era Rusi | "Eja merre" |
6
|
Olta Boka | "Botë për dy" |
7
|
Valon Shehu | "Kutia e Pandorës" |
8
|
Arilena Ara | "Shaj" |
9
|
Eli Fara and Stresi | "Bohemë" |
10
|
Gena | "Shqiponja e lirë" |
Final
editThe grand final of the competition took place on 22 December 2019 and was broadcast live at 21:00 (CET).[11][20] The contestants that qualified for the final were announced on 21 December 2019, and the winner was determined by a five-member jury consisting of two Albanian members and three international members with connections to the Eurovision Song Contest.[21][22][23] The five-member jury was made up of Christer Björkman (Sweden), Dimitris Kontopoulos (Greece), Felix Bergsson (Iceland), Mikaela Minga (Albania) and Rita Petro (Albania).[24][25] Each member of the jury voted by assigning scores from 1–10, 13 and 18 points to their preferred songs. Before the end of the show, Arilena Ara emerged as the winner with "Shaj" and was simultaneously announced as Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.[26][27][28]
| Draw | Artist | Song | C. Björkman | D. Kontopoulos | F. Bergsson | M. Minga | R. Petro | Total | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valon Shehu | "Kutia e Pandorës" | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 23 | 8 |
| 2 | Sara Bajraktari | "Ajër" | 13 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 50 | 3 |
| 3 | Robert Berisha | "Ajo nuk është unë" | 9 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 10 |
| 4 | Tiri Gjoci | "Me gotën bosh" | 2 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 23 | 8 |
| 5 | Bojken Lako | "Malaseen" | 3 | 8 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 45 | 4 |
| 6 | Arilena Ara | "Shaj" | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 67 | 1 |
| 7 | Gena | "Shqiponja e lirë" | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 10 |
| 8 | Kamela Islamaj | "Më ngjyros" | 6 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 35 | 6 |
| 9 | Albërie Hadërgjonaj | "Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua" | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 27 | 7 |
| 10 | Elvana Gjata | "Me tana" | 18 | 18 | 18 | 2 | 8 | 64 | 2 |
| 11 | Olta Boka | "Botë për dy" | 5 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 12 |
| 12 | Era Rusi | "Eja merre" | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 43 | 5 |
Controversy
editFollowing the results of the competition, mixed reactions followed, with multiple individuals criticising the results itself and attributing the singer's victory to arranged voting.[30] All three international jurors ranked runner-up Elvana Gjata first, whereas the two Albanian jurors placed her performance substantially lower.[31][32][33] Host Alketa Vejsiu expressed her dissatisfaction with the Albanian jury members' votes, stating "I believe in meritocracy and I am deeply sorry that in this platform I could not give voice to the public. I am sorry if I disappointed [the public and Elvana], I understand and respect your sensibility please spare me of accusations. I was not the jury and I did not choose the jury."[30] Jury member Mikaela Minga, who awarded "Me tana" two points, later stated that she down-voted the song due to its "gypsy influence", stating it wasn't "Albanian enough".[34]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Nis countdown-i: Zbulohen datat kur do të mbahet Festivali i 58-të i Këngës në RTSH!" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 28 October 2019. Archived from the original on 9 May 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2020.
- ^ "Alketa Vejsiu, interviste ekskluzive për 'Aperitiv Fest' në RTSH, zbulon të ftuarit specialë në 3 netët e Festivalit të 58-të" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 6 December 2019. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ "Alketa Vejsiu zbulon të ftuarit specialë të 'Festivalit të Këngës'" (in Albanian). Blitz. 7 December 2019. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Jo 3, por plot 15 minuta spektakël, Eleni Foureira premton t'i vërë flakën finales së Festivalit të Këngës!" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 15 December 2019. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ Outerson, Michael (19 December 2019). "Albania: The first ten acts perform at Festivali i Këngës 58 but willl any of them be heading to Eurovision". EuroVisionary. Archived from the original on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- ^ Gallagher, Robyn (6 December 2019). "Festivali i Këngës 58: Songs to be released on 9 December, Mahmood confirmed as interval act". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- ^ Outerson, Michael (20 December 2019). "Albania: Second semi final of Festivali i Këngës 58 takes place and the finalists are still to be announced". EuroVisionary. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- ^ a b "Festivali i 58-të i Këngës në RTSH, juria përzgjedh 20 këngëtarët pjesëmarrës" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 24 October 2019. Archived from the original on 10 December 2019. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ Lauren (8 December 2019). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 2019 song titles and composers revealed". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ Granger, Anthony (28 May 2019). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 58 Submissions Open". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 28 May 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
- ^ a b c "Netët e Festivalit" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). Archived from the original on 24 April 2020. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ a b c Agadellis, Stratos (19 December 2019). "Watch now: Festivali i Këngës 58 begins in Albania with first semi-final". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ a b "Fest' 58, dalin pikët e plota të jurisë" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 23 December 2019. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Përfundon nata e parë e Fest '58" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 20 December 2019. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ a b Gallagher, Robyn (16 December 2019). "Albania: Semi-final allocations and running order confirmed for Festivali i Këngës 58". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
- ^ Outerson, Michael (19 December 2019). "Albania: The first ten acts perform at Festivali i Këngës 58 but willl any of them be heading to Eurovision". EuroVisionary. Archived from the original on 16 May 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ Gallagher, Robyn (6 December 2019). "Festivali i Këngës 58: Songs to be released on 9 December, Mahmood confirmed as interval act". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ a b c Casellini, Stefano (20 December 2019). "Watch now: The second semi-final of Festivali i Këngës 58 in Albania". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ Outerson, Michael (20 December 2019). "Albania: Second semi final of Festivali i Këngës 58 takes place and the finalists are still to be announced". EuroVisionary. Archived from the original on 21 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ Agadellis, Stratos (22 December 2019). "Watch now: The Grand Final of Festivali i Këngës 58 in Albania". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ "Fest '58, dalin finalistët e natës së tretë" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 21 December 2019. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ Casellini, Stefano (21 December 2019). "Albania: The final line-up of Festivali i Këngës 58 is complete!". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ "Fest' 58, dalin pikët e plota të jurisë" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 23 December 2019. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ "'Fest 58', 12 finalistët në garë për në finale e madhe të Festivalit të Këngës në RTSH, juria që do përzgjedhë më të mirin" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 21 December 2019. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ Hertlein, Benjamin (22 December 2019). "Live-Blog Albanien: Finale Festivali i Këngës 2019" (in German). ESC Kompakt. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ "Arilena Ara me "Shaj" fiton Fest '58". Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 23 December 2019. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "It's Arilena Ara for Albania! - Eurovision Song Contest". European Broadcasting Union. 23 December 2019. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Festivali i 58-të i Këngës, Arilena Ara do të përfaqësojë Shqipërinë në Eurovizion" (in Albanian). Euronews Albania. 23 December 2019. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
- ^ "Netët e Festivalit". Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). Archived from the original on 24 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
- ^ a b Muldoon, Padraig (23 December 2019). "'I am speechless' – Festivali i Këngës 58 host Alketa Vejsiu speaks out amidst social media controversy". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 31 October 2020.
- ^ Noutsos, Angelos (24 December 2019). "🇦🇱 Festivali i Këngës 58 host Alketa Vejsiu issues a statement regarding the controversial jury results". ESCXTRA.com. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ^ "Full results of the 58th Festivali i Kenges revealed!". ESCBubble. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ^ Mazoyer, Vincent (23 December 2019). "🇦🇱 FiK 58 full results out : Shaj won with a three-point margin". ESCXTRA.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2022.
- ^ Christou, Costa (30 December 2019). "XTRA Debate: Rethinking the role of jurors going into the 2020 national final season". ESCXTRA.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 24 November 2022.