Albania is riding high after Eugent Bushpepa achieved the country’s third-best result at Eurovision ever, coming 11th in the grand final this May. And tonight RTSH revealed the 22 acts who will try to keep a good thing going as they compete in Festivali i Këngës 57 — the country’s national selection for Eurovision 2019.
The selection will take place on three nights: December 20, 21 and 22. As ever we expect lots of screaming divas and plenty of electric guitars….but also renewed vigour and enthusiasm. Last year’s contest managed to produce some top-notch songs that went on to be fan favourites. More modern music videos coupled with a greater variety of genres marked a major step up for the show. In any case, the lucky 22 — who were revealed during the RTSH evening news — are…
FiK 57 singers
Aurel Thellimi — “Te dua ty”
Bojken Lako — “Jeto jeten”
Bruno Pollogati — Nuk ka stop”
Dilan Reka — “Karma”
Eliza Hoxha — “Pengu”
Elona Islamaj — “Ne kete bote kalimtare”
Elton Deda — “Qetesisht”
Eranda Libohova — “100 pyetje”
Gjergj Leka — “Besoj”
Gralar Band — “Dashuria nuk mjafton”
Jonida Maliqi — “Ktheju tokes””
Kelly — “A me ndjen”
Klint Collaku — “Me jete”
Klodiana Vata — “Mbremje e pafund”
Kujtim Prodani — “Babela”
Lidia Lufi — “Rrefehem”
Lorela Sejdini — “Vetmi”
Marko Strazimiri & Imbro — “Leyla”
Mirud — “Nene”
Orgesa Zaimi — “Hije”
Soni Malaj — “Do vij”
Vikena Kamenica — “Naten e mire”
You’ll recognise plenty of these names. Chief among them is Orgesa Zaimi, one of last year’s fan favourites who earned the nickname “sexy librarian at the disco” with wiwiblogger Edd. Her upbeat number “Ngrije zërin” is still on our playlists.
Eneda Tarifa expressed her desire to host FIK this year during a game show, I think RTSH will offer her the job.
Besoooooooooooj xD
I liked that song tbh! Especially the cardboard cutout music videk
Better than this year’s song!
Wait….did you say Orgesa Zaimi ???
Woohoo!!!
So many good singers. I think Soni Malaj or Eranda Libohova will win. Also Orgesa is so popular in esc public. Who knows maybe FiK winner become Eurovision winner in may next year.
Soni has Irkenc Hyka as her composer. He is the hottest composer in the Albanian industry right now, and is also a good singer himself. Such a cutie too, everyone loves him because he has composed many hits, which can be a plus if there are singers that have sung his songs in the jury. It’s going to be difficult for Orgesa’s or Eranda’s composers to top Irkenc. Only Elgit Doda of Alar Band can be considered competitive in relation to him, but I don’t see the band winning over Soni. The other singers can only compete by vocal abilities,… Read more »
My guess is that Soni Malaj will win with a modern uptempo. Other singers with the potential to win are Bojken or Orgesa (their strength is philosophical songs with deep lyrics which FIK loves), Jonida and Eranda (the kind of good vocalists that FIK usually rewards), and as always dark horse Elton (his strength is basically name recognition, so don’t even be surprised if you see him finish 2nd). But I think Soni will likely bring a bop song by a good composer and writer, so the competition will struggle to overcome the quality of her song and public support… Read more »
Sorry for being out of topic, why Wiwibloggs didn’t cover JESC news anymore?
Anyway i’m rooting for Orgesa Zaimi entry
At least , have a weekly update maybe?
A reaction video by Deban and Willie to the twenty selected songs?
Give us something here
Dilan Reka’s song is uptempo. I hope he’s going to win! No more screaming divas and dramatic ballads!
Orgesa Zaimi is not “sexy librarian at the disco”, she is “creepy aunt”.
Downvote as much as you want, I’m not a hater, but many people think like me. This is not a good look, she looks like an old lady, not sexy librarian. Take it as a clue, no hate here.
I miss Edd
Elton better get working on those finger exercises…
I need a 2017 redo, with high-class songs, but also some Eurotrash a.k.a. Manjola’s.
Not so enthusiastic with the participants as Albania has so much more to give, but the other more famous singers mostly take part to Kenga Magjike which is just 20 days before FiK. Anyway, I hope singers like Soni Malaj, Orgesa and Jonida Maliqi bring materials like those which they’ve competed in Kenga Magjike the years before, because they really are very famous in Albania. Klint Collaku and Lidia Lufi are pure talents though, hope the songs are good too.
Yay rooting for Orgesa !
I’d love got to FiK and San Remo. They’re my favourite National Finals
First NF here we go. Love the Albanians, they always manage to choose something interesting, even if then gets a bit mucked up by a weird revamp. After love Mall as much as I did this year, I’ll be extra attentive to this years.
So many popular Albanian artists in competition, I can’t wait for songs! My favorites Orgesa Zaimi, Dilan Reka, Eranda Libohova
Where‘s Inis?:(
Orgesa Zaimi or Lidia Lufi for me, especially Lidia. She came second on The Voice of Albania last year and she has a terrific voice, style and personality. Can’t wait to listen to her song!!
Dilan Reka give me power, with a modern Albanian song
Where is Inis Neziri? As long as they don’t send a Lindita 2.0 or something like their 2013 entry. I want Suus, Mall or Carry Me With You in Your Dreams.
Dilan Reka, with a song like Mos Harro!
FIK IS BACK
Can Adi like host again he deserves it, just look at this beauty