The Albanian national preselection for the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest is introducing some changes for its 46th edition to be held in December. Festivali i Këngës will see a number of resounding names in the Albanian music scene, not in the actual line-up though but as special guests.

RTSH, the organisers of Festivali i Kenges, have promised a lot of surprises for this year, the first one being the selection of the hosts, Elsa Lila and Pirro Cako. Both of them have experience withthe festival as performers but they don't have any with hosting festivals.

After every four songs performed by competing artists, this year, there will be an interval act where popular Albanian singers will perform a medley of songs. Anjeza Shahini, the country's first representativeat the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2004, will not be competing but will be making an appearance as a special guest. Also Luan Zhegu, popular singer and composer will be one of the interval acts. Luan has written two Festivali i Këngës winners, in 1983 and 1998.

The organisers of the festival, which is one of the longest running in Europe, stated that they have more surprises in store for this edition. Festivali i Këngës will take place once more at the Palace of Congresses, in Tirana. The semi-finals will take place on 14th and 15th December and the final the next day.

A very special thank you to Totti Alba for the submission of the article.