Albania’s search for their Eurovision 2017 representative begins this evening with the first semi-final of the country’s national selection, Festivali i Këngës 55.

Hosted this evening by duo Ledina Çelo and Kasem Hoxha live from the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, tonight sees the first semi-final of Festivali i Këngës (FiK) 55 in which half of the selection participants will compete for a place in Friday’s Grand Final.

How to watch

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Semi-final 1 of FiK 55 will air from 20:30 CET on the following channels:

• TVSH
• TVSH HD
• Live webcast via rtsh.al

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Tonight’s show

Tonight sees the first 12 acts performing their entries publicly for the very first time, singing for a place in Friday’s FiK Grand Final. Although the 24 FiK participants were revealed earlier this year, it currently remains unknown which acts will perform in each of the semi-finals.

The remaining 12 acts will perform in tomorrow’s second semi-final, where it will then be down to a mixed jury made up of professional and public members to decide which acts should move forward to the Grand Final on Friday 23 December.

In total, it is believed that 14 acts will perform in the Grand Final of FiK 55, with the winner going on to represent Albania at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. The 14 finalists are expected to be revealed following the conclusion of the 2 semi-finals.

FiK 55 participants

• Albulena Jashari – Fjalët ia lë zemrës
• Classic Boys – Dashuria për jetën
• Dilan Reka – Mos harro
• Edea Demaliaj – Besoj në ëndrra
• Elson Braha – Edhe një herë
• Erlind Zeraliu – Dhimbja e gëzimit
• Fabiola Agalliu & Agnesa Çavolli – Shkon e vjen
• Festina Mejzini – Atje lart
• Flaka Krelani – Osiris
• Franc Koruni – Macka
• Genc Salihu – Këtu
• Linda Halimi – Botë
• Linda Rukaj – Vija e lumit
• Lorela – Me ty
• LYNX – Sot
• Luka & Serxhio Hajdini – Koha plaket
• Neki Emra – Dashuri dhe urrejtje
• Orges Toçe – Shi diamantësh
• Rezarta Smaja – Pse prite gjatë
• Tiri – Më zgjo
• Xhejni Lito – Shkon e vjen
• Xhesika Polo – Eva jam unë
• XUXI – Metropol
• Yll Limani – Shiu