Last Sunday, the grand final of the annual music festival Top Fest was held at Pallati i Congreseve in Tirana, Albania. The grand final of 8th edition of Top Fest was one best music shows in the country. Anjeza Shahini, the first Albanian representative at Eurovision 2004 won the award Best Interpretation.

Top Fest is one of the main music events in Albania organized by the Top-channel TV. Compared to its main competitors, Top Fest is considered to feature alternative and pop – rock music, while not being dominated by classic ballads and strong-themed songs like the ones appearing in Festivali i Këngës.

More than 300 hundred songs have been submitted this year, but only 138 songs has been selected by a professional jury. Juliana Pasha, the Albanian representative at 2011 Eurovision Song Contest was a member of this jury.
Top Fest 8 started in February 2011where all the participants had the opportunity to perform their songs in the first round. 68 songs reached the second round and only 37 entries made it to the semi-finals. 37 songs were presented over three semi-finals. The public and the professional jury narrowed them down to 17 songs which entered the final on June 5.
This is the second time that Top Fest has been fully live. The songs have accompanied by the orchestra of Top Channel. The glamorous Top Fest show has been broadcasted in full HD by Top Channel TV.

Anjeza Shahini (ESC Albania 2004) feat. Dren Abazi won the award for the Best Interpretation with their song Ti dhe une. The popular Albanian singer Elvana Gjata won the awardBest Femaileand the first prize with her song Me ty. Elvana dedicated this emotional ballad to the young Albanian singer Emmy who died early this year in a traffic accident.

These are the winning artists

First prize / Best Female Artist – Elvana Gjata
Best Male Artist – Eugent Bushpepaj
Best New Artist – Anxhelina Hadergjonaj
Best Radio Hit – NRG Band
Internet / Public’s Prize – Flori
Best Rock Alternative – Flaka Krelani
Best Pop and R&B – Xhensila Myrtezaj
Best Ballad – Endri Prifti
Best Interpretation – Anjeza Shahini feat Dren Abazi

Winning song, Elvana Gjata –Me ty (song starts at 4:20)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWOs7_RqL_U

Anjeza Shahini feat. Dren Abazi – Ti dhe unë
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRFUozR5ctg