Albania truely kicks off the Eurovision 2019 season in style: the renowned Festivali i Këngës starts tonight!

Eurovision 2019 is taking shape across Europe and beyond, and tonight we’re turning to Albania for the start of the 57th edition of the Festivali i Këngës, the music competition that’s also the country’s selection for the Eurovision Song Contest.

The first official national selection of the Eurovision season, Festivali i Këngës is always a special event for the Albanian people and the Eurovision community alike. The first of three shows is set for tonight, as the 22 contestants take to the stage for the first time, presenting their songs live together with the Albanian National Symphonic Orchestra.

A professional jury will judge all performances, an additional youth jury established in cooperation with the Ministry of Education will also evaluate the songs, thus providing a fresh commentary on the entries.

The participants of Festivali i Këngës 57 and their songs:

1. Bojken Lako – Jeto jetën
2. Alar Band – Dashuria nuk mjafto
3. Lidia Lufi – Rrëfehem
4. Kujtim Prodani – Babela
5. Gjergj Leka – Një ditë tjetër
6. Dilan Reka – Karma
7. Mirud – Nënë
8. Soni Malaj – Më e fortë
9. Jonida Maliqi – Ktheju tokës
10. Elton Deda – Qetësisht
11. Elona Islamaj – Në këtë botë kalmitarë
12. Klodiana Vata – Mbrëmje e pafund
13. Klint Çollaku – Me jetë
14. Artemisa Mithi & Febi Shkurti – Dua ta besoj
15. Kelly – A më ndjen
16. Bruno Pollogati – Nuk ka stop
17. Marko Strazimiri & Imbro – Leyla
18. Lorela Sejdini – Vetmi
19. Eliza Hoxha – Peng
20. Eranda Libohova – 100 pyetje
21. Aurel Thëllimi – Të dua ty
22. Orgesa Zaimi – Hije

Hosts

Festivali i Këngës 57 will be hosted by actress and singer Ana Golja and actor Viktor Zhusti. The duo will surely present a dazzling musical experience to the audience and public. The show is artistically directed by Inva Mula.

How to watch

The 57th edition of the Festivali i Këngës will be broadcast by RTSH from the Palace of Congresses in Albania’s capital Tirana. The show may be watched at 20:45 CET via RTSH1 (HD) and via the broadcaster’s website.

For more information visit the official Festivali i Këngës 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.

In 2017, the winner of Festivali i Këngës 56, rock artist Eugent Bushpepa (Rrëshen, Albania, 1984) represented Albania at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon, Portugal, with the anthemic song Mall (“Yearning”).

Delivering a riveting performance, the charismatic singer eventually reached a decent 11th place in the Grand Final, receiving 184 points.