Festivali i Kenges remains a strong tradition on the Albanian music scene. The 46th edition of the contest will once again for selecting the next Albanian ambassador to the Eurovision Song Contest. Once again, Albania will be amongst the first countries to select their 2008 participants with the festival's two semi finals taking place on the 14th and 15th December and the final the next day.

60 candidates applied for the festival this year, and 30 of them were selected by RTSH according to the Albanian press. Resounding names of the local music scene can be found amongst the participants, some of whom took part in the 90’s as well; Many of the participants have competed many times previously. To name a few: Rovena Dilo tries once more after winning the Festival in 2000 and attempting the Eurovision Song Contest in 2003, Manjola Nallbani has already participated three times and Mira Konçi twice in 1994 and 2002. Young, talented artists such as Marisa Ikonomi and Jonida Maliqi can be found in the line-up as well. Mariza has been trying to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest every year since 2003, and Jonida has already tried twice.

The full list of this year’s participants as reported by the newspaper Koha Jone follows:

• Manjola Nallbani
• Kozma Dushi
• Arber Arapi
• Des Xherahu
• Juliana Pasha
• Jonida Maliqia
• M.Frroku & A.Cuedari
• Mariza Ikonomi
• Rozela Gjylbegu
• Rovena Dilo
• Besiana Mehmeti
• Agim Poshka
• Voltan Prodani
• Saimir Cili
• Band Kthjellu
• Samanta Karavella
• Ardit Fejzo
• Evans Rama
• Vesa Luma
• Blero
• Teuta Kurti
• Olta Boka
• M.Konci & R.Makashi
• Greta Koci
• Band Produkt 28
• Alberie Hadergjonaj
• Eneida Tarifa
• Blerina Shalari
• Ada Gurra
• Adela Bezhani

Confirmation from the broadcaster is pending.

esctoday.com would like to thank Totti for his contribution to the article.