Festivali i Këngës 59

The Festivali i Këngës 2020 was the 59th edition of the annual Albanian music competition Festivali i Këngës. It was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in an open-air venue at the Sheshi Italia in Tirana, Albania, and consisted of two semi-finals on 21 and 22 December, respectively, and the final on 23 December 2020. The three live shows were hosted by Jonida Vokshi and Blendi Salaj. Due to the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the competition did not use the traditional symphonic orchestra and was not held as in the traditional location of the Pallati i Kongreseve but at the Sheshi Italia instead. Anxhela Peristeri with "Karma" emerged as the winner of the contest and will therefore represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Festivali i Këngës 2020
Dates
Semi-final 121 December 2020
Semi-final 222 December 2020
Grand final23 December 2020
Host
VenueSheshi Italia, Tirana
Presenter(s)
  • Blendi Salaj
  • Jonida Vokshi
Host broadcasterRadio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH)
Participants
Number of entries26
Vote
Voting systemJury
Winning song"Karma" by Anxhela Peristeri

Background and format

The 59th edition of Festivali i Këngës was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in order to determine Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.[1][2] The former consisted of two semi-finals on 21 and 22 December, respectively, and the final on 23 December 2020.[3][4][5] The three live shows were hosted by Albanian actress Jonida Vokshi and host Blendi Salaj.[6][7]

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

For the first time, due to the ongoing pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the competition did not involve the usual symphonic orchestra and was not held per tradition at the Pallati i Kongreseve but rather in an open-air location at the Sheshi Italia.[8][6] As a result of the aforementioned, the performances of the semi-final and final were pre-recorded prior to the scheduled dates.[9]

Contestants

Prior to the scheduled event, RTSH opened a submission period for artists and composers to participate in Festivali i Këngës between August and October 2020.[10] On 28 October, it published a provisory list of 26 artists and songs shortlisted by a jury panel, consisting of Agim Doçi, Alma Bektashi, Eugent Bushpepa, Jonida Maliqi and Klodian Qafoku, to compete in the semi-final of the contest.[11][12][13][14] On 16 November 2020, the broadcaster ultimately released all of the competing songs on its official YouTube channel.[15][16][17]

Participating entries[11]
Artist Song Composer Lyricist(s)
Agim Poshka "Vendi im" Agim Poshka
Anxhela Peristeri "Karma" Kledi Bahiti Olti Curri
Devis Xherahu "Peng" Devis Xherahu Pandi Laço
Enxhi Nasufi "Njësoj" Boocky DJ Enxhi Nasufi
Era Rusi "Zjarri im" Enis Mullaj Era Rusi, Eriona Rushiti
Erik Lloshi "Jo" Enis Mullaj Endrit Mumajesi
Evi Reçi "Tjerr" Olsa Toqi Florian Zyka
Fatos Shabani "Ty" Fatos Shabani
Festina Mejzini "Kush je ti dashuri" Flamur Shehu Jorgo Papingji
Florent Abrashi "Vajzë" Bledi Shishmani
Franc Koruni "E morën botën" Franc Koruni
Giliola Haveriku "E lirë" Endrit Shani Atina Laço
Gjergj Kaçinari "Më jep jetë" Gjergj Kaçinari Gjergj Kaçinari, Ilir Krasniqi
Inis Neziri "Pendesë" Inis Neziri Elhaid Cufi
Kamela Islamaj "Kujtimet s'kanë formë" Kamela Islamaj Megi Hasani
Kastro Zizo "Vallja e jetës" Kastro Zizo
Klinti Çollaku "Do t'ja dal" Endrit Shani Pandi Laço
Manjola Nallbani[lower-alpha 1] "Ora e jetës" Eriona Rushiti
Mirud "Nëse vdes" Durim Morina
Orgesa Zaimi "Valixhja e kujtimeve" Gridi Kraja Olti Curri
Rosela Gjylbegu "Vashëzo" Eriona Rushiti Rosela Gjylbegu
Sardi Strugaj "Kam me t'ba me kajt" Edesa Malçi Sardi Strugaj
Stefan Marena "Meteor" Gramoz Kozeli Klotilda Harka
Viktor Tahiraj "Nënë" Artur Dhamo Nexhip Seraj
Wendi Mancaku "Vesi i shpirtit tim" Wendi Mancaku Rozana Radi
Xhesika Polo "Më mbron" Marko Polo Aleksandër Seitaj, Xhesika Polo

Semi-finals

Semi-final 1

The first semi-final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 21 December 2020 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET).[3][20] During the show, the competing participants performed the official studio versions of their respective entries.[21] Prior to the second semi-final, the selected 18 songs to advance to the final were announced.[22]

Semi-final 1–21 December 2020[3]
Draw Artist Song
1
 Enxhi Nasufi "Njësoj"
2
 Franc Koruni "E morën botën"
3
 Giliola Haveriku "E lirë"
4
 Orgesa Zaimi "Valixhja e kujtimeve"
5
 Erik Lloshi "Jo"
6
 Viktor Tahiraj "Nënë"
7
 Agim Poshka "Vendi im"
8
 Kastro Zizo "Vallja e jetës"
9
 Wendi Mancaku "Vesi i shpirtit tim"
10
 Gjergj Kaçinari "Më jep jetë"
11
 Era Rusi "Zjarri im"
12
 Devis Xherahu "Peng"
13
 Stefan Marena "Meteor"
14
 Rosela Gjylbegu "Vashëzo"
15
 Sardi Strugaj "Kam me t'ba me kajt"
16
 Xhesika Polo "Më mbron"
17
 Florent Abrashi "Vajzë"
18
 Fatos Shabani "Ty"
19
 Anxhela Peristeri "Karma"
20
 Evi Reçi "Tjerr"
21
 Inis Neziri "Pendesë"
22
 Klinti Çollaku "Do t'ja dal"
23
 Festina Mejzini "Kush je ti dashuri"
24
 Kamela Islamaj "Kujtimet s'kanë formë"
25
 Mirud "Nëse vdes"

Semi-final 2

The second semi-final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 22 December 2020 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET).[3][20] During the show, the competing participants performed the acoustic versions of their respective entries.[21]

Semi-final 2–22 December 2020[3]
Draw Artist Song
1
 Florent Abrashi "Vajzë"
2
 Stefan Marena "Meteor"
3
 Wendi Mancaku "Vesi i shpirtit tim"
4
 Viktor Tahiraj "Nënë"
5
 Sardi Strugaj "Kam me t'ba me kajt"
6
 Giliola Haveriku "E lirë"
7
 Kastro Zizo "Vallja e jetës"
8
 Agim Poshka "Vendi im"
9
 Evi Reçi "Tjerr"
10
 Mirud "Nëse vdes"
11
 Festina Mejzini "Kush je ti dashuri"
12
 Anxhela Peristeri "Karma"
13
 Erik Lloshi "Jo"
14
 Inis Neziri "Pendesë"
15
 Franc Koruni "E morën botën"
16
 Fatos Shabani "Ty"
17
 Era Rusi "Zjarri im"
18
 Klinti Çollaku "Do t'ja dal"
19
 Devis Xherahu "Peng"
20
 Xhesika Polo "Më mbron"
21
 Gjergj Kaçinari "Më jep jetë"
22
 Kamela Islamaj "Kujtimet s'kanë formë"
23
 Enxhi Nasufi "Njësoj"
24
 Rosela Gjylbegu "Vashëzo"
25
 Orgesa Zaimi "Valixhja e kujtimeve"

Final

The grand final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 23 December 2020 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET).[3][20] 18 songs competed and the winner was determined by the combination of the votes from a seven-member jury panel, consisting of Andri Xhahu, Kastriot Çaushi, Prec Zogaj, Rame Lahaj, Robert Radoja, Vasil Tole and Zana Shuteriqi.[23] Before the end of the competition, Anxhela Peristeri with "Karma" emerged as the winner and was simultaneously announced as Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.[24][25]

Key:   Winner   Second place   Third place

Final–23 December 2020[3]
Draw Artist Song
1
 Sardi Strugaj "Kam me t'ba me kajt"
2
 Xhesika Polo "Më mbron"
3
 Orgesa Zaimi "Valixhja e kujtimeve"
4
 Wendi Mancaku "Vesi i shpirtit tim"
5
 Era Rusi "Zjarri im"
6
 Gjergj Kaçinari "Më jep jetë"
7
 Rosela Gjylbegu "Vashëzo"
8
 Devis Xherahu "Peng"
9
 Mirud "Nëse vdes"
10
 Gigliola Haveriku "E lirë"
11
 Viktor Tahiraj "Nënë"
12
 Kamela Islamaj "Kujtimet s'kanë formë"
13
 Florent Abrashi "Vajzë"
14
 Inis Neziri "Pendesë"
15
 Evi Reçi "Tjerr"
16
 Anxhela Peristeri "Karma"
17
 Festina Mejzini "Kush je ti dashuri"
18
 Kastro Zizo "Vallja e jetës"

Broadcasters

RTSH provided international live streaming of the two semi-finals and the grand final of Festivali i Këngës through their official YouTube channel with no commentary.[20][26][27]

Broadcasting
Country Show(s) Broadcaster Ref
 Albania All shows Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH)
[20]
 Kosovo All shows Radio Televizioni i Kosovës (RTK)
[20]

See also

Notes
  1. Prior to the first semi-final, Manjola Nallbani announced that she has tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and she has not withdrawn from the competition.[18] However, during the scheduled rehearsals of the competition, she was ultimately forced to withdraw.[19]

References
  1. Jiandani, Sanjay (Sergio) (17 September 2020). "Albania: RTSH confirms participation in Eurovision 2021". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 17 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  2. Adams, William Lee (17 September 2020). "Albania confirms Eurovision 2021 participation…and its hope to use Festivali i Këngës as the selection method". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  3. Hertlein, Benjamin (14 December 2020). "Albanien: 59. Festivali i Këngës am 21., 22. und 23. Dezember 2020" (in German). ESC kompakt. Archived from the original on 14 December 2020. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
  4. Jansen, Esma (1 July 2020). "Albania: RTSH confirms Festivali i Këngës 59… but will Arilena Ara be there?". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  5. Tejeci, Erdi (6 November 2020). "Festivali i Këngës 59: Albania sets December dates and confirms outdoor, open-air location". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  6. Granger, Anthony (6 November 2020). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 59 To Be Held Between December 17 & 26". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  7. "Zbulohen detaje nga Fest '59" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni 21 (RTV21). 6 November 2020. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  8. "Drejtuesit e Festivalit të 59-të prezantojnë platformën e edicionit të ri" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 6 November 2020. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.
  9. Farren, Neil (16 December 2020). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 59 to Be Mostly Pre-Recorded". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  10. Christou, Costa (14 August 2020). "Albania: RTSH launches preparations for Festivali i Këngës 59". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
  11. Granger, Anthony (28 October 2020). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 59 Participants Revealed". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 7 January 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  12. Smith, David (28 October 2020). "Albania: 26 artists confirmed for Festivali i Këngës 59…including Orgesa Zaimi, Inis Neziri and Era Rusi". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  13. Jumawan, Tim (28 October 2020). "Participants for Festivali i Këngës 59 is confirmed". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  14. "Ja këngët e Fest '59" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 29 October 2020. Archived from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  15. "Fest' 59, produksionet muzikore mund t'i dëgjoni në YouTube" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 16 November 2020. Archived from the original on 18 November 2020. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  16. Smith, David (16 November 2020). "Listen: Albania's RTSH reveals all 26 competing songs of Festivali i Këngës 59". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  17. Jumawan, Tim (16 November 2020). "🇦🇱 Entries for Festivali i Këngës 59 are released". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 16 November 2020. Retrieved 16 November 2020.
  18. Tejeci, Erdi (1 December 2020). "Albania: FiK 59 contestant Manjola Nallbani tests positive for Covid-19". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  19. Christou, Costa (16 December 2020). "First two nights of Festivali i Këngës 59 to be pre-recorded?". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 18 December 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2020.
  20. Muldoon, Padraig (21 December 2020). "Festivali i Këngës 59: How to watch Albania's Eurovision 2021 selection online". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  21. Farren, Neil (16 December 2020). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 59 to Be Mostly Pre-Recorded". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  22. "The finalists for Festivali i Këngës have been announced". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 22 December 2020. Archived from the original on 22 December 2020. Retrieved 22 December 2020.
  23. "Albania Selects Anxhela Peristeri as its Eurovision Song Contest Entry". eXit news. 24 December 2020. Archived from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  24. "Anxhela Peristeri to represent Albania at Eurovision 2021!". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 23 December 2020. Archived from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  25. "Anxhela Peristeri fiton çmimin e parë në festivalin e 59-të të këngës" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 24 December 2020. Archived from the original on 24 December 2020. Retrieved 24 December 2020.
  26. Rahn, Florian (21 December 2020). "Live-Blog Albanien Jetzt: FiK 59 – Erstes Halbfinale Festivali i Këngës 2020" (in German). ESC kompakt. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 8 January 2021.
  27. Rahn, Florian (22 December 2020). "Live-Blog Albanien: FiK 59 – Zweites Halbfinale Festivali i Këngës 2020" (in German). ESC kompakt. Archived from the original on 22 December 2020. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
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