Twenty-two acts competed during the first two nights of Albania’s Festivali i Kenges. But only fourteen have survived the semi-final to reach the Saturday night showdown. Who will emerge victorious inside Tirana’s Palace of Congresses? An Albanian jury and the public will decide. But ahead of that we wanted to know who you think should snatch the crown and represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv?
We gave you less than 24 hours to vote and now the results are in. After counting nearly 2,700 votes, our readers have three clear standouts: Jonida Maliqi, Soni Malaj and Lidia Lufi.
Below you can review the results. Remember: FiK 57 will be live streamed on RTSH from 20:45 CET. You can watch it on the “RTSH Tani” app, and also via the RTSH 1 web site.
Who should win FiK 57? (Poll Closed)
- Jonida Maliqi – “Ktheju tokës” 24.56% (662 votes)
- Soni Malaj – “Më e fortë” 21.63% (583 votes)
- Lidia Lufi – “Rrëfehem” 20.04% (540 votes)
- Orgesa Zaimi – “Hije” 9.42% (254 votes)
- Artemisa Mithi & Febi Shkurti – “Dua ta besoj” 9.05% (244 votes)
- Marko Strazimiri & Imbro – “Leyla” 3.19% (86 votes)
- Klint Çollaku – “Me jetë” 2.63% (71 votes)
- Alar Band – “Dashuria nuk mjafton” 2.45% (66 votes)
- Dilan Reka – “Karma” 2.26% (61 votes)
- Eranda Libohova – “100 pyetje” 1.97% (53 votes)
- Eliza Hoxha – “Peng” 1.22% (33 votes)
- Elton Deda – “Qetësisht” 0.59% (16 votes)
- Bojken Lako – “Jeto jetën” 0.48% (13 votes)
- Gjergj Leka – “Një ditë tjetër” 0.48% (13 votes)
Total Votes: 2,695
Tonight’s running order has already been released. Marko & Imbro will open the show, while Klint Callaku will close it.
Our readers’ favourites are scattered in between with Jonida singing fifth, Orgesa seventh and Soni ninth.
Congrats to Jonida!! And I’m so happy for Lidia!! Totally deserved!
Jonida it is! I believe Albania made a great choice. Well deserved second place to Lidia too.
JONIDA WON!!!! WOOHOO!!
Congratulations to Jonida. 🙂
Since my favourite was kicked out during the semis I’m overall quite happy with the result. Her performance was great tonight and I like the song.
It turned to a funeral now!!! We want the resuuuuults!
That was an unnecessary cover version of “Hallelujah”.
Halleluuuuu-jah!
Next, the result. (Please)
Fine! I’ll just make some Tea!
Closest FiK result ever? I wonder.
Eranda won the “critics prize”. Now the scoreboard awaits…
Overall, it’s a good show, but I’m a little disappointed that there is no ventriloquist.
Maybe they could include her on the staging for Eurovision?
(please don’t)
I guess I can be okay with the current top two.
I have no idea how many votes have to be counted yet, but Jonida is leading with Lidia and Eranda following her very closely.
Looking at the Wikipedia entry for last year’s FiK, it looks like there is a five-member jury that decides the winner, although I don’t know if this year’s procedure has been overhauled, as I don’t speak a word of Albanian. Judging from last year’s procedure, I think they’ve announced the scores from three or four jury members, as I clearly heard Rona Nishliu’s name announced during one of the scoring reveals.
I also can’t understand a word in Albanian, but I guess it’s just like you said. If they’re saving just one jury member, it seems one of these 3 will win.
So at commercial break, it is:
1. Jonida
2. Lidia
3. Eranda
Ah, when technical problems strike the scoreboard…
How much till they announce the winner?
RTSH’s website says the show will last 50 more minutes.
Indeed. The scoreboard started up and then froze. It was hilarious. 😛
It seems the host decided to tell us the story of his life. I wonder if they’ll bring the ventriloquist back today.
I hope not. I much prefer his storytelling to those creepy puppet acts.
I would prefer interprerative dance, set to the music of Franz Schubert. Oh, wait…
Seriously, I should produce these shows one day. 😛
Send Eugent again!!!! The best!
The Youth Jury Award went to “Leyla” apparently.
Really? Gjergj Leka was robbed!!! 😛
Perhaps they liked the Titanic film music. Or the story. Or the cute young singer?
Hahaha, I actually like the song and the singers. Not to win, but they would get a 6th or 7th place.
Eugent performing “Mall” keeps giving me goosebumps. Amazing vocalist.
Or… just send Eugent Bushpepa again.
FiK57 cancelled! 😛
Mirud for the win!!
What do you mean he’s not qualified? Hahaha what? No seriously come on, it’s not funny anymore… WHAT?? SHUT UP!! *cries hysterically*
How is decided which Songs are played a second time?
Two songs had technical sound issues. They were the ones that had to perform again.
Beginner’s mistakes, I know.
They only played the two songs twice that had heavy sound issues the first time.
Lidia nailed it again. If she wins, I hope they drop the original studio version and revamp it inspired by the way it was performed wih an orchestra.
Wow, Lidia was so encaptivating. After the bad start, this is turning into a great final.
And Klint also gave his best performance yet.
They’ll repeat “Leyla”, I suppose Eranda will come back too.
#ThatLeylaSong sounds like Leyla was on the Titanic! 🙂
Klint is perhaps my personal favourite, but my personal favourites hardly ever win.
You know what, I’d second your previous assessment that Klint has the WOW factor! Previously, I was referring to the song (studio version) alone, but paired with THAT performance, it is easily a big grower. I wouldn’t mind seeing him (or Lidia for that matter) win.
I agree. I would be glad if they pick Jonida, Lidia (but revamp it please!), Klint or Orgesa.
My connection failed right when she was singing, but based on what I could watch I believe Jonida saved her best performance for the final. Eliza was great too.
Yep, she did give her best indeed.
By the way, almost everybody look much more comfortable today. Soni for instance was clearly having a good time on stage, while on the other nights she was more concerned of looking fierce. Artemisa and Febi looked more relaxed too.
And Dilan Reka just sounded much better too! What a night!
Yes! I haven’t even lowed the volume when he was singing! I still think his voice is annoying, but tonight he did a decent job.
Jonida was great, but some of Twitter didn’t like her outfit! Ah well
#TeamJoJo
Okay, I just tuned in and Eranda is singing. But the sound quality is appalling here – are there technical problems?
Lots of complaints on Twitter about this. It’s not just me.
Her mic was so low. I wonder if she’ll have the chance to perform again.
Depends if they want her to win, I suppose.
Can’t believe that basic sound mixing error went on for 3 whole minutes. That’s very bad directing, in my opinion.
One thing I like about FIK is that it starts off bad in the first semis and then it becomes really exciting at the grand final.
I’m still disgusted by the elimination of Klodiana and Mirud, therefore it’s hard for me to watch the final.
Lidia Lufi should really win.
I agree with you. Her voice is stellar and the song is so beautiful. It would only need a revamp, with a more modern production, in my opinion. The transition to the powerful chorus reminds me of Aminata ‘Love injected’.
Owh, stop using the Doctor’s TARDIS! 😛
That was originally a reply to a comment. Not sure what happened.
Jonida sounds like that singer I saw a few years ago for Albania that had such great vocals and who’s song had many key changes. I forgot that singer’s name but I remember watching her thinking “wow Albania does want to win this thing”.
and yet that song didn’t even make it to the finals.
Rona Nishliu?
Jonida is the only finalist there
Only worthy one may I add
There are like 5 songs that I wouldn’t mind winning.. this is easily the strongest year of FiK. The modernisation has really helped!!
Jonida will fail to qualify for final if she wins tonight. Sounds too much like pervious lAlbania songs. Top Eurovision songs are usually dance and pop. Last year a chicken song won, and dance song came in 2nd. Albania needs to try something new and stop sending balads. They need to try something differnt to appeal to the televoters that Albania never is able to secure from European voters. :/
It’s not like appealing to juries is not a good strategy, it’s worth half of everything. If they have a good singer with a ballad or rock, they can rely more on juries. It’s rare to get a singer that has the ability to sing upbeat songs properly. Last year was a very rare year since both Netta and Eleni could sing uptempos well, but more often than not it’s just not the case.
The results speak for themselves. Albania never gets televotes because they have boring songs, nobody voted for Eugent, Elihada, and all the others. I am just saying, they need televotes too. Last year was not rare, many years they have pop songs win.
Yeah, by singers who could sing them though. This year Albania’s uptempo candidate is Soni, but can she sing her song? It’s obvious she is struggling with it. It would flop in Eurovision. The song is one thing, but the singer is another. There have also been many ballads winning Eurovision. Between Soni and Jonida, I’d rather hear Jonida than Soni, even though I like Soni’s song better, but she can’t sing it. When you get a song like that, you have to be able to sing it. If you can’t, the support will default to the safer ballad songs,… Read more »
Elhaida was voted by European public, her problem was with losing her voice, turning the juries off. She had a catchy ballad, should have done well with juries, but again, the singing proved critical. Soni will be penalized by the FIK juries for that no doubt. And I doubt the journalist jury will go for her either. If there is a televote, depending on how much it’s worth, that’s where Soni may do well. People like Jonida too though, so I have a feeling any televote would be split and the juries will still be the deciding factor.
KLINT ÇOLLAKU – “ME JETË” – It’s nice. Quite relaxing and lovely. No big wow factor, though. ERANDA LIBOHOVA – “100 PYETJE” – A bit old fashioned and, yes – French sounding. I guess it really relies on the lyrics (which 100 questions), musically it’s okay. DILAN REKA – “KARMA” – It wants to be intense and impactful, but it comes off as shouty and annoying. ELIZA HOXHA – “PENG” – Elegant song which could easily be described as just another diva ballad, but I really like how it builds-up and the contrast between slow verses and explosive chorus. ELTON… Read more »
Exactly the same notes here again, except that I do think Klint has a vocal “wow” factor (if he can hit all of the notes).
Jonida surely. Soni’s song always sounded like a Fuego clone, and last night’s staging confirmed it. They weren’t even hiding it. But I know Soni is the fanwank because she has a “banger”. We’ll have plenty of Fuego clones from now through to March, no need to worry, banger fans.
Jonida will fail at the final. Albania’s balads are not winning any televotes. like never have and never will. They need a song to appeal to those people, Jonidas will not. If she wins, no eurovision final.
JONIDA MALIQI – “KTHEJU TOKËS” – It indeed reminds a bit of Jamala; it’s very atmospheric, grandiose. With a strong performance it could go far, maybe even top 10. SONI MALAJ – “MË E FORTË” – Decent song, energy is there, but if she translates it, it’s likely just one of the typical dance entries. ORGESA ZAIMI – “HIJE” – Original, bit disjointed, but it will attract attention. ARTEMISA MITHI & FEBI SHKURTI – “DUA TA BESOJ” – Surprisingly effective, harmony is great and it’s very easy to sing along to. Both this and Hije would be something completely different… Read more »
My notes are very similar to these.
Mirud eliminated, that’s a surprise. I’m still putting my bet on Jocinda. I’m happy that Klint and Orgesa are there (I love her attitude, she is so fun). Good luck picking the first artist Albania.
Well, third artist
Armenia picked Srbuk as the first artist for 2019 and Cyprus chose Tamta as the second artist (and first song – Replay)
Albania, however, will have the first song being released to us 🙂
I voted for Elton, just because.
Mirud had two vocally off performances, so that is likely why he is out. Aurel going out was likely because of the song’s repeating refrain and lack of development… – oh but wait, a large portion of you (not all) last year weren’t interested in my technical reviews, and wanted me to go away from here. I suppose: revenge is sweet.
I didn’t quite understand what Mirud was going for with his Night 2 performance. He started sitting on top of a bench before going solo center stage. I honestly thought Aurel had a decent enough performance that could at least sneak him through to the final. The only criticism I can honestly give, which apparently I’m getting downvoted for, is how sloppy the camera work was for some for the acts I’ve watched so far. I get trying to go big but it just came up short, at least for me. I didn’t quite get the one with the backup… Read more »
Yes, the camerawork at certain points got noticed by me too, especially on night 2.
I’m sure Wiwi will try to interview Mirud – and can perhaps ask him what he was going for with the staging?
Aurel was marked down (here) on Song Content, not on performance. So the issue was with the actual music, if that makes sense. (Too many repeating cadential refrains, and not enough development.)
Yeah I think Mirud’s staging worked better on Night 1, when it was just him and his voice. On Night 2 it got too messy, and I think that’s possibly why he was eliminated.
For the last two years, Albania have been my seventh-favourites at Eurovision. Now that Mirud and Aurel are gone I don’t think they can back that up. I’m hoping for Jonida, Alar or Klinti.
Leyla, the performance was really awesome
Definitely jonida maliqi now that mirud is out of the picture. It stands out from the rest and i am certain we are going to have plenty of pop songs that will try to do the exact same thing as “më e fortë ” does, but in a better way next may. It would be very hard for Albania to qualify because of that.
Only Orgesa
“WHAT HAPPENED TO MIRUD?!?!?!,” he screamed into the void.
Mirud was my fave as I think he had the best combo of song and voice. I think Artemisa & Febi become my favorite without him, though they need some work on their stage presence. Soni and Jonida are also good and Soni perhaps gives them the best chance to qualify for the Eurovision final. A song I initially liked a lot — Dilan Reka’s — sounds awfully shrill live. His voice just does not hold up.
Mirud is out. No comments seriously. I hope they fail this year because of this corrupt national selection. They should be ashamed of themselves.
WHAT??? Mirud and Aurel are out in such a huge final??? WTF are they smoking??? Seriously – Leka, Lako and Reka have really weak songs and they are all in!
My winners now – Jonida, Artemisa/Febi, Eliza Hoxha
They likely all have music degrees. 🙂
I have no idea who will win, and I’m loving it.
Likely, yes. However, it shouldn’t be a factor since this is a song contest.
Actually, it is a music festival. 😉
With a competition, sure.
Albania is the first non qualifier then.. what a shame
Well not really they still have some great songs
After watching performances from both nights, I’m still with Jonida…Sorry, Soni is basically a copy of “Fuego”…nothing original here. Can see the FiK juries going for Jonida, now that Mirud and Aurel are out. She need to lose those dancers…distracting and unnecessary.