And we’re off! Albania’s Festivali i Këngës has revealed the list of 20 artists that will be part of the 60th edition of the Festival.
Albania’s Eurovision 2022 national selection will include a total of 20 songs. Fourteen of them will be sung by established artists, while the remaining six will be performed by younger artists making their first turn on such a big stage.
Eurovision 2019 star Jonida Maliqi will host the show. And, as has long been known, the festival will have many special guests invited for the 60th edition. The list of competing artists features many festival alums including like MIRUD and Evi Reci. It also welcomes some big-hitting festival debuts from Alban Ramosaj and Ronela Hajati.
Festivali i Kenges 60 participating artists
Alban Ramosaj
Alban Ramosaj is a 25-year old Albanian singer-singwriter, director and fashion model. He’s known for his participation on The Voice of Albania and his chart-topping dance hits in the Balkan region. In 2018, he was featured in the Dolce & Gabanna spring/summer fashion campaign. Last year he won the 22nd edition of Kenga Magjike with the song “Thikat e mia”.
Denis Skura
Denis Skura is a famous Albanian tenor, who has given numerous performances and shows at The National Theatre of Opera and Ballet of Albania. This is his first time competing in the festival.
Evi Reci
It’s the second participation for Evi Reci, the famous Albanian TV presenter and singer. Last year she participated in the festival with the song “Tjerr”, where she was awarded a special prize called the “City of Tirana”, showing the respect and love held for her by municipal officials. Evi started her musical career in 2004 with Top Fest, while she has also been part of Kenga Magjike.
Gjergj Kacinari
Gjergj Kacinari, known by his stage name Kachinari, will participate for the second time in row. Last year he took part in the festival with his song “Me jepe jete” and made the final. Kachinari has also made a name for himself at Top Fest and Kenga Magjike.
JANEX
Xhejn Kumrija (JANEX) — another famed singer and composer — lives in New York. She began her musical career together with her sister, Enxhi Kumrija, and took part in Albanian Festivals like Kenga Magjike, Top Fest and Festivali I Kenges. This is going to be the fourth appearance at FiK, having competing at FiK 51, 52 and 53. In March 2018, she was awarded the “Best Dance Electronica” prize at the Independent Music Awards in United States.
Kastro Zizo
Kastro Zizo will be a familiar name for most of you. In a career spanning more than 15 years, Kastro Zizo has published four albums and made numerous videoclips. This marks his third time in Festivali I Kenges. He took part in 58th and 59th editions of the festival.
Kelly
Like so many others on this list, Albanian singer Kelly started her career in Albanian festivals like Kenga Magjike and Mikrofoni I arte. This is going to be the fifth time he attempts to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest. He was part of Festivali I Kenges 46, 51, 53 and 57.
Mirud
Kosovar pop star, Mirud, is another returning artist. This will be his third appearance in the festival, after competing as a huge fan favourite in both FiK 57 and 59 with “Nene” and “Nese Vdes”. Even though he was not crowned as the winner, Mirud’s “Nese Vdes” reached more than 1 million views on YouTube, which makes him the second artist after Elvana Gjata with “Me Tana” to achieve that. His first album “Treason” was released in February 2021 and has over 5 million streams across all platforms to date.
Saimir Çili
Saimir Çili is a well-known Albanian singer and composer and also a familiar name among Eurovision fans. His daughter Isea Çili represented Albania at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2019 with the song “Mikja Ime, Fëmijëri”, which was composed by Saimir Çili himself.
Rezarta Smaja
Long-time Festivali I Kenges fans should know Rezarta Smaja. She started her musical career in “Ethet e se Premtes” in 2008 and continued with many Festival appearances in Albania, including at Top Fest and Kenga Magjike. She was part of Festivali I Kenges six times in the row from the 51st to 56th editions of the festival.
Ronela Hajati
Ronela Hajati is one of the biggest Albanian pop stars. Her long-waited Festival appearance already has heads spinning. She started her musical career in the talent show “Ethet e se Premtes” and continued with numerous appearances at festivals across the country and videoclips that have amassed millions of views on digital platforms.
Stefi & Endri Prifti
Stefi and Endri Prifti, also known as the Prifti Borthers, are one of the biggest duos in the Albanian Music Industry. With a career of more than 25 years, the Prifti Brothers have already published one album and more than 65 songs. They have also made numerous appearances in Albanian festivals. This is going to be their sixth time at Festivali I Kenges as a duo.
Shega
Shega, a young band from Italy, combine the Arbëreshe language with contemporary indie-pop music. Born as “The Daggs” in 2014, they started writing songs in their native language and then evolved into SHEGA. They have taken part in different festivals around Europe such as SUNS Europe and the OPP! Festival. During their concerts, in addition to their unpublished efforts, they also perform covers of traditional arbëreshë songs, rearranged according to their own feelings.
Urban Band
This rock band formed in June 2016. It consists of Andi Tanko (vocals), Jurgen Cara (guitar), Dritan Hekurani (bass guitar), and Sajmir Tatushi (drums). While their singer Andi took part in 54th edition of the Festival, this is going to be their first appearance in the Festival as a group.
The artists who will compete from the younger category are: Eldis Arrnjeti, Ester Zahiri, Kesjti Rrusta, Olimoia Smajlaj, Viola Xhemali and Xhuliana Pjetri.
This year Festivali i Kenges will take place between 26-29 December. For the first time ever, Festivali i Kenges will have a Gala Night on the opening night of the Festival.
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It occurred to me that there are only 20 artists participating for Albania this year, Which seemed very low to me. It got me thinking, Which year has the highest and lowest number of participants? So I decided to do a little study Looking at the individual wiki pages for each of Albania’s Eurovision attempts with the results down there. 2004: 29 2005: 32 2006: 34 2007: 31 2008: 29 2009: 20 2010:36 2011: 38 2012: 28 2013: 26 2014: 16 2015: 26 2016: 30 2017: 24 2018: 22 2019:22 2020: 20 2021: 25 (originally 26 but one withdrew) 2022:… Read more »
One rejected contestant said this year’s show is corrupt and the winner would be Alban Ramosaj. Hopefully his song is of quality.
Alban has been written about on this site before, but presumably with a different song, because the song he won with in a previous contest this year wouldn’t be eligible for Eurovision having been released before September 1st of this year. There’s also Ronela as a option so it might be a battle between the two. We’ll have to wait for the songs to be released to see if they have the best songs of the festival, rigged as is it’s been claimed.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER REGARDING FESTIVALI I KENGES
DONT. HYPE. UP. ENTRIES.
Whatever your favourite is, it doesn’t matter. The winner is handpicked by RTSH staff.
Come back to this comment when a total random wins 🙂
Not total random. The biggest name that’s participating in a given year.
I’m not Albanian, but by watching FiK for the last couple of years I got a feeling that it’s not only a song contest, but a crowning achievment of someone’s successful opus. Thus, a newcomer has very little chance to actually win, even if their song is the best one. They’ll likely get to top 5 or so, thus indicating that they might win two or three years in the future, if they continue sending songs like that.
Yes Colin you are quite right. The new artists would also need to grow their career outside of FiK in order to be considered for first prize, like winning Kenga Magjike this year boosted Alban Ramosaj’s name a lot and he’s a contender now, even though he’s young and relatively new.
I also gotta add that crowning the established artist (with a respectable ballad) trend started with Elhaida Dani. I don’t know if there was a change in management back then or what, but prior to that, songwriters were actually the most important. For example a songwriting duo won three times between 2005 and 2008. In 2010 the composer was Ardit Gjebrea, former FiK winner and Kenga Magjike producer. Even if he had chosen a complete unknown instead of Juliana Pasha, his song still would have won.
It’s never a total random. It’s always one of the biggest acts participating.
Albania send ethnicity, quality, show and they go to compete. I’d like to see winning them once, they deserve it.
My favorite entry (by far) was Eugent Bushpepa on 2018, PRICELESS!
THE BEST LUCK FOR ALBANIA
It would be nice if Albania sent something that could compete for the trophy, but we will have to see.
Thank god. I’ve waited a year for this. I’m always hyped for FiK and this year is no exception. Don’t mind if I disagree with their final choice, I’m just so happy to welcome albanian songs into my life (I think Sardi Strugaj would’ve been a great choice for Albania last year. And Miss Elvana… I’m just happy that FiK introduced her to me. One of her later releases – Loti – is sooo good.)
And yes. Albania is more than beautiful women with amazing voices. They also have the hottest men. I think I’m in love with Alban…
Oh no! Where is Elhaida Dani?
I guess she either didn’t apply, or they didn’t use her song.
I think she applied but the broadcaster did not wanted her. She really loves Italy and she hinted to participate at FiK 🙁
Her songs from her latest LP are all masterpieces!
I highly doubt they turned her down. I’m 100% sure she would automatically win if she wanted to compete.
It is probably going to be between Ronela and Alban, but knowing RTSH they might choose Alban over Ronela since Ronela will compete with an uptempo song. I hope Ronela delivers live.
The rumours are already pointing to Alban winning, just like with Anxhela last year. Ah I was hoping Ronela had a shot.
What is Gala Night?
Glad to see some bands participating, because in my years following FiK I can only remember soloists or duets. Evi Reçi was one of my favorites last year, I hope she can bring something as cool but this time manages to build some hype.
Oh, and will be great to see Jonida hosting it.
next edition i would really love to see artemisa mithi, arilena, and yll limani return
Hopefully Ronela Hajati will win this edition please not another screaming middle aged women Albania
You call mid 30s middle aged?
And please stop calling vocalists ‘screaming women’, it’s in very poor taste.
oh sorry I thought the women Albania send were between 50 and 60 but I was wrong and yes I am more a bop person than ballad person so for me a vocalist is a screaming women
Poor you!
You do not have to be worried I have a very good job I have a lot of money
He was talking about your cultural and musical ignorance. I genuinely do hope you have lots of money coz my guess is money is the only thing you’re rich in, if even that is true
I like ethics bops and most times ethnic ballads I am just tired that Albania is sending the same thing every year
Arilena 🙁
This is jubilar edition and RTSH just seems to treat this edition like any other edition 🙁
Urban Band also won the „New Artists“ Category in Kenga Magjike. I am really happy with the artists and if Ronela Hajati wins… well… we will all dance in Turin.
Queen Ronela Hajati, and king Alban Ramosaj.
MIRUD continues to be hyped here, and I’ll never know why. His song last year was great, but his stage presence was atrocious. Also, as someone pointed out before, he continues to buy likes, views and comments for his music videos – which is most unrespectable. Being a great recording artist means nothing when you cannot deliver a live performance, especially for a live singing competition like Eurovision. MIRUD is out of the question, stop hyping him up.
Actually, now that I’ve just checked – MIRUD must read wiwibloggs comments! He has disabled all comments on his YouTube account, meaning we cannot see all the purchased robotic comments. The ‘views to likes’ ratio is still way off though, so it’s still clear to see that he purchased views.
Good job to whoever pointed out that he buys his comments/views/likes, he now knows we’re aware. You can’t fake success, especially when you’re participating at Eurovision. Senhit was an example of how you can artificially create a fake hype with purchased views/ likes/ comments.
Isn’t he openly gay? This may caused many humiliating comments on him on Youtube. Maybe that’s the reason why he disabled the comment function for his videos.
I guarantee the reason he disabled his comments was because people pointed out that he buys views/comments/likes. Mirud uploaded his FiK performance to his YouTube in August (8 months after FiK) and it magically received 500k views, 9k likes and 1k comments from fake accounts overnight. When people pointed it out the comments were suddenly disabled. I doubt he will delete the videos after spending so much money on the fake views, so he just disabled the comments instead.
i really hope MIRUD’s song has a similar sound to nene, that was a piece of art and suits his voice a lot better than pop does
Mirud’s song was great – it was his stage presence that was the problem. It’s hard to connect with a performer on stage when they look like they’ll faint or vomit at any second.
jonida maliqi hosting you know it is SUCCESS
After all the rumors, none of the past winners has returned. In a way, too bad, as Arilena Ara particularly deserves another shot at it. Still, I am very happy to see Mirud back, as well as Rezarta Smaja and Evi Reci. Smaja’s duet with Luiz Ejlli, and Evi’s Tjerr are both pretty good. I hope each of them can bring their A-game. I am not familiar with Alban or Ronela, but if they hype is to go by, they are in it to win it. I look forward to the songs, which are hopefully to be released some time… Read more »
No matter what happens, i am so happy that Rezarta Smaja is back after couple of years. Her previous entries are outstanding especially duet with Klodian. I’m looking forward to hear some screamy ballad by Rezarta!
Any idea on when we will get the songs?
I don’t know, but I hope soon. I noticed that it’s only 20 artists this year. Is this the lowest number of artists that are Competing to represent Albania, or has it been even lower. I wonder if somebody takes a study to see which year has the most artists and which has the least artists.
Ronela is in this game to win, otherwise it’s not going to end well for Albania to choose anyone else, including Alban.
Ronela’s dad works for RTSH as well so I’d say the odds of her winning are high.
Shega seems nice! Love a bit of linguistic diversity.
Everybody is already choosing their winner among the well known artists but it would be very cool and interesting too if the winner come from the young artist category, I’m more excited and interested in what these fresh and new artists will offer us.
It’s not that we don’t want a new artist, it’s that they literally stand no chance. The best shot a new artist has is 2nd or 3rd place. RTSH always chooses a big name for the big prize.
Yeah probably but who knows… the christmas miracles sometimes… I don’t mean I’m not excited by the big names too, I find many of them really promising but I want to give a chance to the youth and novelties. I mean Mahmood for example came from this category in San Remo if I remember well so it proves there are gems too in these young talents, so I find it unfair to not consider them because they are not enough known, they are often the most innovative, current and modern in terms of music.
Again I totally get what you’re saying. But the Albanian broadcaster does not want to choose them. It has a thing for established names only. It uses the new artists to fill the FiK lineup and award them a 2nd or 3rd place.
It’s totally unfair but what can you do.
We shouldn’t be pessimistic about that after all we will see what will happen and we don’t know anything yet about the songs and their potential so let’s see and if the best song for me comes from a young artist then I will support her/him and I will cross my fingers until the end 😉
I love your optimism, but I’m Albanian and been let down since 2014 when RTSH started this method. It’s not changing until a new management comes along.
One day, those new artists will become established artists in their own right.
And when they do, they will be considered for first prize.
Exactly. I wouldn’t be so worried about them. Their time will come
im-
It’s between Alban and Ronela. I’m leaning more towards Alban because he will have a ballad while Ronela uptempo (according to what she said in an interview).
No disrespect to all the competing artists, but RTSH truly has downgraded FiK to the point where for its freakin 60th edition, only two semi big names are willing to compete.
Also by leaning towards Alban I mean he stands more chances to be picked by RTSH. Not that I like him more than Ronela.
Now that we know who will be competing, when Would the songs be released. I also noticed that There are only 20 artists competing for robbing you this year, I wonder if that’s the lowest number they’ve ever gotten, or it has been lower before.
I have no idea when they will release the songs. Early December maybe?
I don’t know if this is the lowest number ever, but still very disappointing.
I have to do a little research on that, but sometimes the lower number can be a good sign like they’re emphasizing quality over quantity. We’ll have to see what songs are released
In this case I’m afraid it was because the interest was quite low. They even had to extend the submissions deadline to receive more songs.
That also did occur to me to that there may not have been as many submissions to choose from. Considering that this will be the 60th edition, you think that that would generate a lot more interest in being part of a anniversary season, But if you say there was little interest, could Albanian artist be getting disillusioned with the festival?
Exactly, because it’s the 60th edition the rumours were on fire this year regarding possible participants. Only Alban and Ronela turned out to be true. The Albanian artists are definitely disillusioned with FiK, because RTSH won’t do anything to update FiK. They have no guarantee it will be a fair competition.
I see what you mean. If the battle is going to be between Alban and Ronela, I hope they have the best songs for this year‘s festival that will be worth voting for, even if it’s rigged.
I personally enjoy their previous songs so I also hope they brought their A game.
Also Isea’s father (a.k.a. Sajmir Çili) is on the list. What a time to be alive. Maybe Isea can try her luck in FiK when she’s 16 years old?
You know how Wiwibloggs put Alban Ramosaj in their Wednesday Wishlist for Eurovision 2022? Well, for now he’s my easy pick, not only because he is the only one I know in this list other than Mirud, but we certainly need another man representing Albania.
It would be a nice change of pace to have a guy represent Albania for the first time since 2018, but all I really care is that the winning singer has a great song. I don’t care if they’re male or female.
No thank you I want a Albanian women
I can ‘t wait to hear the songs, may the best one win.
Interesting the rumors about elhaida and arilena proved wrong.
Arilena just released an album, so I wasn’t expecting her.
ok so it’s gonna be between Alban, Mirud, and Ronela right?
also, are we gonna get the arbereshe language? work
Alban and Ronela. Mirud stands no chance.
Mirud doesn’t stand a chance. It is between Ronela and Alban. I really hope Ronela wins, but knowing RTSH they will choose a ballad.
Ronela Hajati would be epic! Also looking forward to Alban Ramosaj. Mirud has had good songs. I loved the studio cut of Nese vdes, but the performance at FiK was perhaps the most awkward thing I’ve ever seen.
I root for Alban, Mirud or Ronela Hajati or black horse Eva Reci
Albania there is only one choice:Alban Ramosaj
Prepare for the shouty divas and the old guys with deep voice. And electric guitars, electric guitars everywhere (though I do like them). Mirud will bring and over dramatic song or a wannabe hit and will completely ruin it with an horrible staging. In the end one of the shouty divas with the highest or longest notes will win. It will be Ronela Hajati most probably. I’m more interested in Alban Ramosaj and Urban Band. But let’s wait for the songs.
Ronela doesn’t do ballads. And specifically said in an interview that’s not what she would bring to FiK.
Ronela is not going to have a ballad. She said in an interview that if she was going to make her debut in FIK, she was going to come with a dance song.
RONELA 10000000000000%
It bothers me that we basically already know Ronela won’t win if she sends an uptempo bop because the FiK jurors cant appreciate anything that has a BPM above -5000
We seen this happen with Elvana Gjata and also Lindita the first time she entered with a upbeat song… the jury don’t give them a good vote why is that?
The weird thing is, they used to be fine with uptempo songs (2004, 2009, 2010). It’s a recent pivot but hopefully Ronela’s live is competent enough to merit points
Alban or Ronela. I support Alban a little more, but if Ronela wins i’ll be happy, she is great singer and performer. Also i’m happy for Rezarta Smaja and Evi Reci. I miss Arilena, Elhaida , Kamela Islamaj, Festina Mejzini.
Oh that Mirud boy again ?? All he wants is creating drama from nothing. He is just a talentless attention seeker who is obsessed with Eurovision.
Here’s what will happen this December : fans will overrate him again and again , he is not going to win and he’s gonna throw shade to some people and close his Twitter. Then he will open it and he’ll be tweeting about Eurovision 7/24.Just like he did last year. Thank you , next
totally agree with you. a side fact: his instagram followers are fake!
Not just his Instagram followers. His YouTube views, likes and comments are all purchased and fake too. He recently disabled his YouTube comments after someone pointed out that all +1000 comments were from fake accounts.
What is wrong with that I like a ESC artist like Mirud who really loves the show
When artists buy fake views, followers, likes and comments it immediately cancels out any respect fans previously had for the artist. Especially when he celebrates and shows off these fake views online after buying 99% of them. How can you respect an artist that is totally deceitful and insincere?
Wow what an ashole
lmaooo you guys are right ! inb4 he reads this and starts buying ig likes to make his followers look real. how embarrassing for him.
actually he does read comments here 😀 he tweeted ”stay mad , i’m back”