RTSH, the Albanian broadcaster, has announced the finalists of the 49th edition of Festivali i Kenges.
Kejsi Tola and several big names of the Albanian music scene are taking part in this edition.

After Switzerland, Albania will be the second country to choose in December their representative for the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest.

An expert jury has selected 32 songs (established category) for 49th edition of Festivali i Këngës. Besides that, 6 songs from newcomers category will be added to the semi finals.

In each semi final 16 songs from the established singers and 3 songs from the newcomers category will be presented. Only 16 songs from the established singers and 2 songs from the newcomers category will qualify for the final.

Interesting names form the Albanian music scene are taking part in this edition of Festivali i Këngës 49 like Besa Kokëdhima, Kamela Islami, Alban Skenderaj & Miriam Cani etc. Amongst them, there are 2 former winners in this edition. Kejsi Tola, (winner of Festivali i Kënges 2008) Albanian representative at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest and Aurela Gaçe winner of Festivali i Këngës 1999 & 2001.

These are the 32 semi-finalists from the established category:
(Performer – songwriter – song title – lyricist – orchestration)

1 Adhurim Demiri – A. Demiri 24 Oret (A.Demiri- Orges Toce )
2 Alban Skenderaj & Miriam Cami – Ende ka shprese (Alban Skenderaj & Miriam Cami – Alban Skenderaj)
3 Besa Kokedhima – Rezart Likaj – E bukura dhe bisha (Dalina Buzi – Rezart Lika)
4 Blerina Shalari-Blerina Shalari -Lutjes apo dashurise (Blerina Shalari – Blerina Shalari)
5 Denis Hasa-Xhavit Ujkani -Mbi xhaketen time (Ismail Kadare – Sokol Marsi)
6 Dorian Nini- Jetmir Barbullushi -Mire se vini ne Shqiperi (Perikli Papingji – Jetmir Barbullushi)
7 Dorina Garuci- Sokol Marsi – Mirembrema engjelli im (Jorgo Papingji – Sokol Marsi)
8 Emi Bogdo- Suela Kalaja-Leter per ty (Suela Kalaja – Endri Sina)
9 Enkeleda Arifi – A.Hila- Nje dashuri (Pandi Laco- A.Hila )
10 Entela Zhula – Edmond Veizaj – Loje ne dashuri (Entela Zhula – Edmond Veizaj)
11 Ernis Cili & Onanta Spahiu – Ernis Cili – FAM (Ernis Cili – Ernis Cili)
12 Etmond Mancaku – Etmond Mancaku – Dashuri pas emrit (Etmond Mancaku – Etmond Mancaku)
13 Francesk Radi – Francesk Radi- Kemi dasem`o (Agim Doci – Francesk Radi )
14 Goldi Halili – Fatrin Keajka – Ne krahet e tua (Fatrin Krajka Fatrin Krajka)
15 Heldi Kraja-Heldi Kraja – E diela pa ty ( Heldi Kraja – Heldi Kraja)
16 Herci Matmuja- Gent Myftarai – Me cilin rri ti dashuri (Agron Tufa – G.Myftarai)
17 Kamela Islamaj – A.Male – Jetova per ty (Olti Curri – A.Male)
18 Kejsi Tola – Kristi Popa – Prane (Florian Zyka – Kristi Popa)
19 Klajdi Musabelliu – L.Jorganxhi- Vetem ti (Zh.Jorganxhi – L.Jorganxhi)
20 Kujtim Prodani – Kujtim Prodani – Ti Ishe Kryeveper (Arben Duka – Ilirjan Mihali)
21 Linda Halimi – Linda Halimi – Nuk e kam pritur (Linda Halimi – Faton Dylaku)
22 Marjeta Billo – K.Qafoku – Perjetesi (Dr.Flori – K.Qafoku)
23 Marsida Saraci- Valentin Veizi – Vetem s`jemi ne bote ( Arben Duka – V.Veizi)
24 Mateus Froku – K.Bahiti – Dimer ne shpirt (Dr.Flori – Sh.Saraci)
25 NRG Band -NRG Band – Mina-Mina ( NRG Band – NRG Band)
26 Orges Toce – Orges Toce- Mari (Orges Toce – Orges Toce )
27 Selami Kolonja – Selami Kolonja – Marmara (Selami Kolonja – Damir Imeri)
28 Sajmir Braho – E.Sina – Shtegetar i jetes time ( S.Braho – E.Sina)
29 Aurela Gace -Sh.Saraci – Te kam prane (Sokol Marsi Sh.Saraci)
30 Sonila Mara – Sonila Mara – Egoist (Sonila Mara – Drini Ishmaku)
31 Xhejsi Jorgaqi – G.Lako – Rastesi ( J.Papingji – G.Lako)
32 Humus – Humus – S`ka (Humus – Humus)

These are the 6 semi-finalists from the newcomers category:
(Performer – songwriter – song title – lyricist – orchestration)

1 Shpat Deda – Shpat Deda – Te kam Afer (Shpat Deda- Gent Salihi)
2 Albi Xhepa – Sam Jaupaj – Drite (Bojken Lako)
3 Maria Prifti – F. Ndoci – Pasuri e pasurive A.Doci Endri Sina
4 Ilir Kazaferi – Ilir Kazaferi – Nuk ke faj (Ilir Kazaferi – Besnik Gace)
5 Megi Laska – Fabian Asllani – Endrat ekzistojne (Megi Laska – Fabian Asllani)
6 Rudina Delia – Rudina Delia – Pa bote (Rudina Delia – Klodian Qafoku)

Jonida Maliqi, famous singer and songwriter together with Josif Gjinpali will host the three live shows of Festivali i Këngës. The semi-finals will be held on December 23rd and 24th and the grand final will be the 25th of December. An expert jury from different fields will decide the winner.

Listen below the winning songs of FiK 2000 – 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6m0h95R_u8

Stay tuned to Esctoday.com for more news from the Festivali i Këngës 49.