After months of build-up, a last-minute cancellation, and two fabulous semi-finals, Albania has finally picked its entry for Eurovision 2015. Elhaida Dani won Festivali i Këngës 53 with the song “Diell” and will be represent the Land of Eagles at the Eurovision Song Contest 2015!

Elhaida, who previously won The Voice of Italy with over 70% of the public vote, was considered a favourite from the very beginning. (Editor’s note: Wiwiblogger Ramadan — he’s @ESCRamadan on Twitter — actually wrote an editorial calling for her to win FiK before she was even announced as a contestant. How crazy is that?)

It’s not just because she’s famous either. She’s got Mariah Carey-esque vocals and, with a little bit of re-mastering and editing, her song could be a strong contender in Vienna.

Festivali i Këngës 53: The results

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPyQDnxohig

Screen Shot 2014-12-28 at 22.54.47

1. Elhaida Dani – Diell (82 points)
2. Bojken Lako Band – Të ndjej (62 pts)
3. Lindita Halimi – S’të fal (45 pts)
4. Besiana Mehmedi & Shkodran Tolaj – Kështjella (31 pts)
5. Marsela Çibukaj – S’muj (28 pts)
6. Gjergj Leka – Himn (24 pts)
7. Rezarta Smaja – Më rrëmbe (23 pts)
8. Mjellma Berisha – Sot jetoj (22 pts)
9. Venera Lumani – Dua të jetoj (20 pts)
10. Emi Bogdo – Një femër (18 pts)
11. Erga Halilaj – Ti s’më njeh (15 pts)
12. Enver Petrovci – Të vranë bukuri (12 pts)
= Jozefina Simoni – Mendje trazi (12 pts)
14. Altin Goci – Rock për gjithë jetën (9 pts)
15. Saimir Braho – Kristal (3 pts)
16. Klajdi Musabelliu – Vetëm te ti besoj (0 pt)
= Estela Brahimllari – Kjo natë (0 pt)
= Agim Poshka – Në rrugën tonë (0 pt)

The winner’s performance

Guest performances (Photos via Rona Nishliu)

In the absence of Alexander Rybak, who pulled out citing stress and fatigue, Albanian juror Rona Nishliu stepped in and delivered an amazing performance. She had so much energy and power! It’s seriously like she is hiding a chorus of singers in her hair.

We had four lovely Albanian girls from the RTSH orchestra open the grand final of Festivali i Këngës 53. It was an outstanding performance to open the festival.

Elhaida’s winning moment (Photos via OGAE Kosovo)

There were other awards handed out during the show. The best interpretation of Festivali i Këngës 53 was “Himn”, sun by Gjergy Leka and Offchestra winning the pop jury award.

YOU CAN FOLLOW ALL OF OUR ALBANIA EUROVISION 2015 NEWS HERE.

YOU CAN ALSO FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM AND YOUTUBE AS WELL.

What do you think of tonight’s winner? Do you agree with the results?

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Duettatore italiano
Duettatore italiano
9 years ago

Average song.
Much emphasis.
little feeling.
text trite
powerful voice
Here my duet: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLx8NP0l1Ac&list=PL163d2zE4td01GSgmEoVYnxeiugJd9aAM

kostas stathopoulos
kostas stathopoulos
9 years ago

I believe that the song is mediocre and it needs some modifications.
Her voice is very good but still she struggles with some notes such as the final big note.

LucyEAPercy
9 years ago

ok, after several listens, im starting to like this. Will be interesting how they cut it down to under 3minutes. Deffo needs to stay in Albanian.

John
John
9 years ago

I love both the song and the singer, if it will be really a professional Jury she will win ESC2015. Until May this song I am sure will be changed and it will become really “The sun” of Eurovision. THis song professionally is as good as “SUUS”, both very hard songs to sing, only singers like Elhaida and Rona could sing such songs.

Bravo Albania

SpirK
SpirK
9 years ago

I agree with some others. She is absolutely stunning. Her voice is flawless. The song has a nice basis to get revamped. Now it’s over the top but I believe they could make it work. In 2012 I didn’t like “Suus” until May, so I’m never counting out that I will like this one.
P.S She reminds me of Ruth Lorenzo

bavarson
bavarson
9 years ago

9th place for Venera Lumani? Idiots!!!!

JESCGermany15
JESCGermany15
9 years ago

I don’t like the song from Albania! Her voice is very good but the song sound for me like an 80s ballad! Hope they change the song!

Day one
Day one
9 years ago

Burgh Albania what can I say?
The only good song you ever had was 2012 and now you send this.
Oh well at least with FYR Macedonia and Albania it makes it easier for the other countries to qualify.

Anyone else keep thinking she is going to start singing
When there’s no one else
Look inside yourself
Like your oldest friend
Just trust the voice within

at the chorus?

Bogdan Honciuc
9 years ago

I like Elhaida and her voice, but this song is so bland! I’ve listened to it several times and I don’t understand its appeal. To me, it sounds like a non-descript ballad from the 80’s. I very much prefer Hersiana’s song from last year.

Felipe
Felipe
9 years ago

I am so sad about Venera’s song. She must win the contest. Her song is really amazing and catchy. Elhaida’s voice impressive but her song isn’t catchy. A lot of good voices won’t pass the semi final in Eurovision if their song is not memorable. Venera’s song is still in my mind. On the contrary, i only remember about Elhaida’s song is her good voice.

Pierre
Pierre
9 years ago

Very good singer but terrible song, hopefully they change the song or improve it.

ESC 4ever
ESC 4ever
9 years ago

OMG this is top for Albania reminds me of Portugal 2010 (great voice tough):
Top 5:
1-Malta=
2-Albania new
3-The Netherlands=
4-Fyr Macedonia -2
5-Belarus new

KB
KB
9 years ago

1. Malta
2. Netherlands
3. Belarus
4. Macedonia
5. Albania

Mavision
Mavision
9 years ago

Stunning, easily the best artist so far. But the song, a really good basis that needs a revamp. I actually like the idea, don’t agree with it being classed as boring but it is predictable, way too Disney. Have to admit I love the ending though. It for sure needs a revamp, but Albanian or English?

Daniel
Daniel
9 years ago

1) the Netherlands
2) FYR Macedonia
3) Malta
4) Belarus
5) Albania

LucyEAPercy
9 years ago

Great voice, undeniably, but god this song is dull. No memorable parts, it’s just so mixed up in organisation…it’s just so…meh.
Though, yes, I do hope they keep it in Albanian as we all know how changing it worked out for Hersi..! I loved Hersi’s song though 🙁
My top 5 thus far then is:

1.Netherlands
2.Belarus <–shocker, someone likes it
3. Malta
4. Macedonia
5. Albania

kaaamiilo
kaaamiilo
9 years ago

1. Albania
2. Netherlands
3. Malta
4. Belarus
5. Macedonia

Britz26
9 years ago

Very nice song! 😀

My top is now:

1) Macedonia
2) Albania
3) Netherlands
4) Belarus
5) Malta

Alex
Alex
9 years ago

Elhaida has a great voice, it’s true. But I would’ve preferred Marsela, who had a very nice jazzy entry.

Also, what’s with the composition of this song? It’s rather all over the place and I look forward to its revision. It sounds boring in part because the dynamics are lousy – for instance, it’s loud everywhere near the end, so nothing sticks out. Even Elhaida, as talented as she is, seems to have a rough time with it.

jr esc nl
jr esc nl
9 years ago

i’m dissapointed they didn’t choose venera lumani…

Nikos
Nikos
9 years ago

Strong vocals, she is a really good singer and there is a really nice tone in her voice I could listen to all day. Not sure how I feel about the song though, a little too 1990s for me for a contest in 2015.

EUROFAN MEXICO
9 years ago

IS A GOOD SONG FOR ME NOW MY TOP IS
1.-MALTA
2.-ALBANIA
3.- NETHERLANDS
4.- BELARUS
5.- FYROM

Easpag
Easpag
9 years ago

If they get rid of that dodgy electric guitar bit in the middle, they have a very good entry.

Pastora Soler haha
Pastora Soler haha
9 years ago

I wanna know more info about her.

Why she was a contestant in Italy?

Italian language and Albanian language… nothing in common.

So, what is the relation of this girl with that countries??

Samuel Chetty
9 years ago

A very strong composition, but for me the melody is not all that engaging.

PP
PP
9 years ago

1.Malta
2.The Netherlands
3.Albania
4.Belarus
5.F.Y.R Macedonia

Thiefo
9 years ago

She has a great voice, but I’m not feeling the song, is not memorable, I forget about it immediatly and is even slightly boring… however I’ll wait and see if it grows on my after a few listens and after a good revamp, I’m just not impressed at this stage. I just hope this story will end up like with Rona (when I hated the song at first and then loved it) and not like Hersi (when I loved it at first and then… still loved it but it wasn’t as good as before). I feel I had some less… Read more »

Charles
Charles
9 years ago

While everybody is whining about the already-traditional-boring-opinion of the “boring ballad” dramatic theme too often discussed in Eurovision specially when everybody today defines a modern Eurovision song as something uptempo at all costs … I’d rather focus on another detail in this performance: LIVE MUSIC … a thing many younger Eurovision fans have no clue whatsoever what that is because prerecorded stuff computer produced is the only reality they know. Well … this is what really hard work in music is all about … plus … it makes the singer even sound better than if she had to sing with… Read more »

Me...Lucy
9 years ago

Hersi’s song was million times better than this boring,unoriginal,disney alike ballad. I don’t even like her voice,it’s not smooth it’s so tiring for my ears. Hashtag Lucy is not impressed

Timselvision
Timselvision
9 years ago

Good voice, average song imo 😛 It gets my 4th place for now, it remembers me of Portugal 2010 e.g. Didn´t like that one either.

Nott
Nott
9 years ago

Wow, what an amazing song.
Please, keep it in Albanian and don’t change into English.
It’s perfect the way it is, even though I don’t understand a word.

Anthony
Anthony
9 years ago

It’s still the exact same song, but Elhaida changed the title and the real name of the song was to be seen in the graphics yesterday.

nade
nade
9 years ago

@branko the difference is that you knew she was a contestant. the writer was dreaming of her to enter and win, and then she wins. it’s a lovely story. his editorial was written from the heart.

Branko
Branko
9 years ago

BTW I thought her song was called Te kerkoj, did she change it?

Branko
Branko
9 years ago

I knew she would win the day I heard she enters the contest… so what? The song is good and with perfect performance could be dark horse for Top Ten maybe.

Zac
Zac
9 years ago

Is Te Kerkoj the same as Diell or?

Anthony
Anthony
9 years ago

“Diell” itself may not be to everyone’s taste, but bear in mind “Suus” wasn’t everyone cup of tea, most notably the high “screaming” parts, yet Rona absolutely nailed her live performance. Now I really hope Elhaida keeps it in Albanian.

A
A
9 years ago

Albania needs to introduce televoting into their selection.

Bb
Bb
9 years ago

There were much better choices. Nothing wrong with Elhaida, she has a good voice, but that song of hers is painfully dull.

cheesecake
cheesecake
9 years ago

I didn’t know the other contestants, so I’m not able to tell if it’s a worthy winner, but… I love it! I only hope that she will sing it in Albanian.
GOOD CHOICE

eurana
eurana
9 years ago

Another typical Disney ballad choosed for the Albanian jury.
1) Malta
2) FYR of Macedonia (try to translation the lyrics people, it;s a very beautiful song)
3) The Netherland
4) Albania
5) Belarus

D
D
9 years ago

As much as I’m disappointed Lindita didn’t win, Elhaida still is definitely a good choice. Personally, I’m not a fan of the song but her voice is really good. With a revamp she can do great, and also I’m sure this can easily qualify in May.

A
A
9 years ago

Lindita or Venera were better choices. I think that this song is good but a tad boring so it should definitely be revamped. Is she definitely singing in English?

Xepher
Xepher
9 years ago

Is anyone really shocked by her winning? Now the question is how will it be revamped up/in English?