Albania:Big names to participate in Festivali i Këngës 48

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by Stella Floras November 25, 2009 9:54 am 175 views

Albania is traditionally the first country to select their song each year for the Eurovision Song Contest through the hugely popular local festival Festivali i Kenges which takes place in December. Although no official announcements have been made yet, many resounding names of the Albanian music scene have already confirmed their participation in the press.

Festivali i Kenges, the Albanian festival used to select the country's representative in the Eurovision Song Contest since 2004, is eagerly awaited by loyal fans of the contest as it marks the beginning of each season. Many popular artists have already stated they will be taking part again this year and there are already speculations for the hosts of the shows.

According to the gossip magazine Panorama plus, the couple Alban Skenderaj and Miriam Cani will host Festivali i Këngës 48. Alban Skenderaj is a very well-known pop rock singer in Albania. Miriam Cani is a host and a singer in Germany. She was a member of the German pop girls group Preluders.

According to Bluetooth magazine, Mariza Ikonomi is the first oneto confirm her participation in Festivali i Këngës. Mariza has entered the Festivali i Këngës several times. Her best results were in 2003 and 2007. In 2003 Mariza was beaten by Anjeza Shahini and achieved a disappointing second place. In 2006 she came 3rd with her ballade Ku është dashuria.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ejbmq7f9iPU

Juliana Pasha, another big name thathas takenpart in Festivali i Këngës many times. Last year she finished second with Luiz Ejlli (ESC 2006) and in 2007 she came third. This year Juliana will have a song by the famous Albanian composer Ardit Gjebrea. Third time lucky for Juliana?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-nU9XzGGKw

The pop-rock diva Besa Kokëdhima is another singer who has confirmed her participation. She won few big music events in Albania and participated last year for the first time in Festivali i Kenges where she came 4th with her spiritual ballad Ajer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbWpXPfiUEA

Rovena Dilo who won Festivali i Këngës in 2000 and Albërie Hadërgjonaj the winner in 1998 are also expected to participate this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c1yQniKUuhU

Stay tuned on esctoday.com for the latest news on Festivali in Kenges.

An article by Safurr Gafiti

Stella Floras

Thanks to Johnny Logan and Hold me now I fell in love with the Eurovision Song Contest, a love that's been going strong ever since with undiminished passion. My first memories date back to 1977 and the lyrics of Rock bottom, Dschinghis Khan and A ba ni bi are still engraved in my brain.

I joined esctoday.com in 2006 as a junior editor after being invited by Barry Viniker, I soon became Senior Editor and during the 2007 contest in Helsinki I was appointed Head of Communications. Today I hold the post of Head of Human Resources and I am proud to be working with the best editorial team in the world.

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