Tonight, the 56th Festivali i Kënges starts in Albania, truly marking the start of Eurovision’s national selection season.

The prestigious annual Albanian Festivali i Këngës has reached its 56th edition.

A line-up of both veteran musicians and upcoming artists will compete for the victory, and ultimately also the chance at representing their country at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, Portugal.

Broadcaster RTSH is all set to present a marvelous musical show!

How to watch

The 56th edition of Festivali i Këngës will be broadcast on RTSH from 20:45 CET onwards, held at the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana and hosted by Adi Kastra.

You may watch the show via the following:

• RTSH 1
• RTSH muzikë
• Live website via rtsh.al

The show can also be watched via the RTSH Tani app, available on both Android and iOS devices.

The show

Divided over two semi-finals, a total of 22 participants was selected to perform on stage. Tonight, the first 11 contestants will partake in semi-final 1. The top selected entries over the 2 semi-finals will proceed to the Grand Final on Saturday 23 December 2017.

The acts going through to the Grand Final will be chosen by a professional jury.

The participants

The 11 participants of semi-final 1 are:

1. Elton Deda – Fjalët
2. Mariza Ikonomi – Unë
3. Stefi & Endri Prifti – Mesazh
4. Evans Rama – Gjurmët
5. David & Genc Tukiqi – Të pandarë
6. Voltan Prodani – E pamundur
7. Eugent Bushpepa – Mall
8. Rezarta Smaja & Luis Ejlli – Ra një yll
9. Bojken Lako – Sytë e shpirtit
10. Manjola Nallbani – I njëjti qiell
11. Redon Makashi – Egziston

Listen to all Festivali i Këngës 56 participants and their entries here.

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For more information, visit the festival’s official website.

About Festivali i Këngës

The Festivali i Këngës was founded by broadcaster RTSH in 1962, making it one of the longest running music competitions in Europe.

Since 2003, the winner of the Festivali i Këngës also wins the right to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest. The 2003 edition was won by Anjeza Shahini, who subsequently reached a respectable 7th place for Albania’s debut at Eurovision 2004, earning 106 points with her entry The image of you.