Albania’s Festivali i Këngës — the first Eurovision selection show of the season —kicks off tonight with the first semi-final at the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana. The director of the show Elton Deda has promised that it will be spectacular, and hosts Pandi Laço and Blerta Tafani want you to feel the heat and their chemistry. As ever the artists will sing accompanied by the RTSH orchestra, who are keeping it old school and keeping it real!
How to watch Festivali i Këngës
The first semi-final starts tonight — December 25 — at 20:45 CET. You’ll be able to watch it on the RTSH official live stream and, if that fails, on this alternative stream. Remember to use the hashtag #FiK54 during the shows!
Semi-Final 1 running order:
1. Egzon Pireci – Triumf (Triumph)
2. Simbol – Artiste (Artist)
3. Voltan Prodani – Dëgjoje këngën o atë (Listen to the song oh father)
4. Adrian Lulgjuraj – Jeto dhe ëndërro (Live and dream)
5. Sigi Bastri – Ëngjëll i lirë (Free angel)
6. Dilan Reka – Buzëqesh (Smile)
7. Luiz Ejlli – Pa mbarim (Without end)
8. Nilsa Hysi – Asaj (To her)
9. Orgesa Zaimi – Një shishe në oqean (A bottle in the ocean)
10. Erga Halilaj – Monolog (Monologue)
11. Florent Abrashi – Të ndjek ç’do hap (I follow your every step)
12. Teuta Kurti – Në sytë e mi (In my eyes)
13. Kozma Dushi – Një kafe (A coffee)
14. Aslaidon Zaimaj – Merrmë që sot (Take me right from today)
15. Egert Pano – Mos ik (Don’t go)
Fifteen contestants will compete tonight and nine songs will advance to the Festivali i Këngës 54 Grand Final. The Voice of Albania star Egzon Pireci will open the show, while Egert Pano will close.
This year’s edition includes plenty of newcomers. Egert Pano, Enxhi Nasufi, Dilan Reka, Egzon Pireci, Besa Krasniqi, Edea Demaliaj, Andi Tanku, Nilsa Hysi and Aslaidon Zaimaj — the winner of The Voice of Albania 4 — will all debut.
FIK54 JURY:
1. Pirro Çako (singer & composer)
2. Helidon Haliti (artist)
3. Ilirian Zhupa (poet)
4. Françesk Radi (singer)
5. Olta Boka (singer)
6. Jehona Sopi (singer)
7. Alban Nimani (singer)
Who are you looking forward to hearing tonight. Will you be watching #FiK54? We wanna hear your opinions, so comment below!
9 lucky ones
How many get through?
Thank goodness for Olta Boka and Jehona Sopi being members of the jury. It gives hope for the more modern entries.
So excited :).
Thanks Ramadan! Knowing that I don’t have so much faith that my favourite will win… But hope to see In the final At least 😉
@Matenohoru The jury picks!
Only The jury choose which songs advance through the final or The público also decides??? Sorry it’s my first time following it…