Albania’s act for Eurovision 2020 will be selected using the longrunning Festivali i Këngës 58 contest. Often shortened to either FiK or FEST’, the competition will consist of two semi-finals and a final, all three of which will take place in Tirana, the country’s capital.

All three programmes will be broadcast on Albania’s RTSH 1 and Kosovo’s RTK. TV players for both networks can be accessed here and here. These should be available to view worldwide.

The chosen act will succeed Jonida Maliqi who finished 17th with “Ktheju tokës” at Eurovision 2019.

Click to skip to:

Festivali i Këngës 58

When is Festivali i Këngës 2019?

  • Semi-final one — 20.30 CET on Thursday 19 December
  • Semi-final two — 20.30 CET on Friday 20 December
  • Grand final — 21.00 CET on Sunday 22 December

The Albanian selection traditionally coincides with the festive season with many affectionately calling it FiKmas. This year is no different. Semi-final one took place on Thursday 19 December. Semi-final two followed immediately after on Friday 20 December. After one day’s rest, the winner will be chosen on Sunday 22 December

This is returning to the tradition of two semi-finals, after the format shift for FiK57. In 2019, all acts performed in each semi-final. In the first, the artists performed their songs with the RTSH Symphonic Orchestra, while on the second night, they performed the songs with the Eurovision arrangement.

Festivali i Këngës 58 entries

Broadcaster RTSH announced the 20 song lineup for FEST’ 58 on 24 October. The entries were subsequently released on 9 December. The competing artists and songs are:

  • Wendi Mancaku – “Ende” (Still)
    Lyrics: Endrit Mumajesi
    Music: Wendy Mancaku
  • Valon Shehu – “Kutia e Pandorës” (Pandora’s box)
    Lyrics: Elvis Preni
    Music: Eugent Bushpepa
  • Tiri Gjoci – “Me gotën bosh” (With an Empty Glass)
    Lyrics: Pandi Laço
    Music: Everest Ndreca
  • Sara Bajraktari – “Ajër” (Air)
    Lyrics: Adrian Hila
    Music: Adrian Hila
  • Robert Berisha – “Ajo nuk është unë” (She is not me)
    Lyrics: Filloreta Raçi
    Music: Filloreta Raçi
  • Renis Gjoka – “Loja” (The Game)
    Lyrics: Ilir Krasniqi
    Music: Renis Gjoka
  • Olta Boka – “Shkrime në mur” (Writings on the wall)
    Lyrics: Genc Salihu
    Music: Florent Boshnjaku
  • Nadia & Genc Tukiçi – “Ju flet Tirana” (Tirana Calling)
    Lyrics: Agim Xheka
    Music: Genc Tukiçi
  • Kastro Zizo (né Kleviz Bega) – “Asaj” (Her)
    Lyrics: Gramoz Kozeli, Kleviz Bega
    Music: Gramoz Kozeli, Klevis Bega
  • Kanita – “Ankth” (Anxiety)
    Lyrics: Lindon Berisha
    Music: Boban Apostolov
  • Kamela Islamaj – “Më ngjyros” (Colour Me)
    Lyrics: Megi Hasani
    Music: Kamela Islamaj
  • Gena – “Shqiponja e lirë” (Free Eagle)
    Lyrics: Endrit Mumajesi
    Music: Gena
  • Era Rusi – “Eja Merre” (Come and Get It)
    Lyrics: Naxhije Berisha
    Music: Darko Dimitrov
  • Elvana Gjata – “Me tana” (With all)
    Lyrics: Elvana Gjata
    Music: Elvana Gjata
  • Eli Fara & Stresi – “Bohem” (Boheme)
    Lyrics: Rozana Radi
    Music: Eli Far
  • Devis Xherahu – “Bisedoj me serenatën” (Talking with serenade)
    Lyrics: Jorgo Papingji
    Music: Devis Xherahu
  • Bojken Lako – “Malaseen” (She left me unseen)
    Lyrics: Bojken Lako
    Music: Bojken Lako
  • Arilena Ara “Shaj” (Swear, as in the curse)
    Lyrics: Lindon Berisha
    Music: Darko Dimitrov
  • Aldo Bardhi – “Melodi”
    Lyrics: Naxhije Berisha
    Music: Aldo Bardhi
  • Albërie Hadërgjonaj “Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua” (Where to find someone to love)
    Lyrics: Timo Flloko
    Music: Adrian Hila

Festivali i Këngës 58 – finalists

  • Albërie Hadërgjonaj – “Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua”
  • Arilena Ara – “Shaj”
  • Bojken Lako – “Malaseen”
  • Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”
  • Era Rusi – “Eja merre”
  • Gena – “Shqiponja e lirë”
  • Kamela Islamaj – “Më ngjyros”
  • Olta Boka – “Botë për dy”
  • Sara Bajraktari – “Ajër”
  • Robert Berisha – “Ajo nuk është unë”
  • Tiri Gjoci – “Me gotën bosh”
  • Valon Shehu – “Kutia e Pandorës”

The 12 finalists in Albania’s selection for Eurovision 2020, qualified from one of two semi-finals — five from semi one and seven from semi two.

FiK 58 semi-final one songs

The running order for the first semi-final was:

  1. Nadia and Genc Tukiçi – “Ju flet Tirana”
  2. Sara Bajraktari – “Ajër”
  3. Devis Xherahu – “Bisedoj me serenatën”
  4. Kanita Suma – “Ankth”
  5. Kamela Islamaj – “Më ngjyros”
  6. Bojken Lako – “Malaseen”
  7. Elvana Gjata – “Me tana”
  8. Aldo Bardhi – “Melodi”
  9. Renis Gjoka – “Loja”
  10. Albërie Hadërgjonaj – “Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua”

FiK 58 semi-final two songs

The running order for the second semi-final was:

  1. Kastro Zizo – “Asaj”
  2. Tiri Gjoci – “Me gotën bosh”
  3. Olta Boka – “Botë për dy”
  4. Era Rusi – “Eja merre”
  5. Wendi Mancaku – “Ende”
  6. Robert Berisha – “Ajo nuk është unë”
  7. Gena – “Shqiponja e lirë”
  8. Eli Fara & Stresi – “Bohemë”
  9. Arilena Ara – “Shaj”
  10. Valon Shehu – “Kutia e Pandorës”

How will the FiK 2019 winner be selected?

The winner of the contest will be decided by jury vote alone, which is standard for Festivali i Këngës.

The FiK 58 jury consists of famed Greek Eurovision songwriter Dimitris Kontopoulos, Sweden’s Melodifestivalen producer Christer Björkman and Iceland’s Eurovision Head of Delegation Felix Bergsson, along with two Albanian jurors, ethnomusicologist Mikaela Minga and writer Pita Petro.

Who is favourite to win Festivali i Këngës 58?

Going off YouTube views alone, Elvana Gjata is the runaway favourite. In mere days, “Me Tana” became the most-watched video ever on the official RTSH YouTube channel. At the time of writing, it has amassed over 2.5 million hits. The clip trended in neighbouring North Macedonia (No.10) and Greece (No.45). It was also spotted on the Swiss trending chart.

She also topped our poll to win semi-final one. Kanita Suma came a distant second.

Additionally, Elvana won our poll to determine which act readers were most excited for.

The Wiwi Jury — our in-house panel of music unprofessionals — shared their favourites here.

FiK 58 interval acts

Away from the competing, acts RTSH has arranged for some stellar interval entertainment.

The Albanian-born Greek diva Eleni Foureira will make an appearance, serving some fuego. She finished second at Eurovision 2018, representing Cyprus.

Italy’s Eurovision 2019 star Mahmood performed “Soldi” during the first semi while Sanremo star Giusy Ferreri did her thing on the second night. These two acts reflect the close cultural bonds between Albania and Italy, as well as the influence of the Sanremo Music Festival on Festivali i Këngës.

This guide will continue to be updated with Albanian Eurovision news throughout the season.

Last updated 21 December 2019 at 20:00 CET.

Follow all of our Albania Eurovision 2020 news.

16 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
alex
alex
4 years ago

im not able to follow this festival… semifinal running order that not coincide with the one that you have up there and when the 5 semifinalist will be chosen … i ve seen the whole show and they did not say nothing about the finalist so.. wtf can someone explain please??

Kirby
Kirby
4 years ago

Hello Wiwifans! Does anybody know if RTSH are going to stream FiK, at least this Sunday’s Final?

Gentos
Gentos
4 years ago
Reply to  Kirby

have a app for this, RTSH

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago

Kanita had won, jury result got leaked, other jurors were Eros Ramazzotti, Ruth Lorenzo

the heavy favourite Kanita was declared the winner, so she’ll represent Albania at ESC2020 with her ethnic ballad bop Ankth

Khan
Khan
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicky91

it was fake moron

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago
Reply to  Khan

you’ll see on sunday, how heavy favourite Kanita is titled champion at FiK

juries with their excellent taste going for pure dramatic music

Elvana better luck next year with a stronger message in the song maybe rather than 2 lyrics ”me tana”

but music has won here, i am happy and my votes could go to the gorgeous Kanita, and Albania again if they stage ankth right, jamala style with same graphics she had for 1944

khan
khan
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicky91

you are delusional lmaoooooo

K/DA True Damage
K/DA True Damage
4 years ago
Reply to  Nicky91

press x to doubt

Sandshrew
Sandshrew
4 years ago

What time does the show start tomorrow please?

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago
Reply to  Sandshrew

they usually start around 20:45 CET

also apparently a stream on YouTube (which i’ll be watching it from my smart tv)

Mr Vanilla Bean
Mr Vanilla Bean
4 years ago

I’m legit vibing with ‘Malaseen’.

beccaboo1212
4 years ago

Will all shows in FiK 58 have the orchestra?

Nicky91
Nicky91
4 years ago
Reply to  beccaboo1212

of course, and no worries for Elvana’s song with orchestra, i heard it alongside her vocals and it bops more than studio version

Khan
Khan
4 years ago

Where can we watch?

OhhHoney
OhhHoney
4 years ago

Albania has a win in their future, won’t be in 2020 but it’ll be in the next handful of years. I know they can do it.