In Kyiv 2017, Albania’s Eurovision representative Lindita Halimi belted out her poignant power ballad “World”. She also became notable by (arguably) breaking a Eurovision record for the longest sustained note. Despite her impressive vocal ability, she didn’t make it to the final for Albania. But now, after three years, the Kosovo-Albanian diva has expressed her wishes to return to the contest, but this time she wants to represent a different country.
Lindita represented Albania at Eurovision 2017 with the song “World”. It finished 14th in it semi-final, meaning her Eurovision journey ended there. But it seems Lindita has her eyes on a return ticket.
It all started with one tweet on Halimi’s Twitter. The Festivali i Këngës winner asked her 7,000 Twitter followers a simple question, including a little compliment to ESC. “What do you think about me coming back to Eurovision for another country? Just because I loved my experience the first time”.
What do you think about me coming back to Eurovision for another country? Just because I loved my experience the first time ? ??
— LINDITA (@LinditaWorld) July 1, 2020
But Eurofans don’t give up easily. Halimi got dozens of replies from fans begging her to come back. And she played on with it.
Then, a follow-up tweet from the American Idol star asked what country she should represent, wanting fans to share their suggestions.
What’s your suggestion? What country do you think I should go for???
— LINDITA (@LinditaWorld) July 1, 2020
Of course, this question poses a different issue. Not many countries allow foreigners to participate in their national finals, let alone select them internally. However, that didn’t stop the fans from throwing around names — Spain, North Macedonia, Moldova. One fan controversially replied with “Serbia”, but Lindita brought peace and hope by quoting from “World” lyrics with “Let love unite us all”.
Let the love unite us all ??
— LINDITA (@LinditaWorld) July 1, 2020
Can Lindita represent Spain?
But of all the countries suggested for Lindita, one has particularly grabbed her interest — Spain. Since Spain now internally selects their act with no known eligibility criteria, it might be possible. We don’t know if Lindita has a Spanish connection, but we suspect Spain’s national broadcaster RTVE wouldn’t internally select an act from outside the country.
Lindita told her fans that “representing Spain would be goals” and noted that she has previously lived in the Iberian nation.
Representing Spain would be Goals! #Eurovision #EurovisionAgain The love I received in Spain and Netherlands , will forever live with me
— LINDITA (@LinditaWorld) July 1, 2020
Which other countries could she represent?
While some countries have strict nationality rules, others — most notably San Marino and Cyprus — are known for sending performers from other countries to represent them. Eleni Foureira, who got Cyprus’s best result ever in 2018, is also originally from Albania but grew up in Greece. In San Marino, it’s a different story, usually involving the artist financially partnering with the broadcaster.
Countries such as Latvia and Norway encourage that someone in the team should be a local, but theoretically allow non-citizens to participate in their national selections. Other countries, such as Estonia, allow a non-local performer if they have teamed up with locals, either co-performers or the songwriting team.
Another option is for Lindita to represent Kovoso. She was born in Kosovo and identifies as Kosovo-Albanian. If Kosovo were able to join the EBU and participate at Eurovision, Lindita would be a great choice as their debut artists. However, as Kosovo does not yet meet the criteria to join the EBU, their participation at Eurovision is a way off.
But Lindita seems determined. She tweeted “I have unfinished business with you, Eurovision”, making it clear that this won’t be the last we’ll hear of Lindita.
I have unfinished business with you @Eurovision ?????
— LINDITA (@LinditaWorld) July 1, 2020
Would you like to see Lindita back at Eurovision? Which countries could she represent? Let us know in the comment section!
She needs a good song, not a song that just showcases her range. I still remember her awkward face when she performed in 2017. It looked like a crazy woman screaming for help.
Personnaly i see nothing wrong here, Eurovision is a very good way to promote yourself, representants from the last years do it for that, no for their love of the contest. Just watch them react of videos of past years (generally after 2010) they do not know any participants except that of their country, even if they say in interviews they follow the contest since childhood…
Why critic Lindita for a thing all participants does since 1956 ?
Why is everyone so mean to her? It’s actually really beautiful for an artist to go to ESC and what’s wrong in wanting to go again? I understand that Lindita representing Spain is somewhat strange but she can try for Albania again or even San Marino. I just don’t understand the sudden rules that some Eurofans implement or why do they get picky in things like this.
No. She needs to stick to getting to Eurovision a second time through FiK as it plays to her strengths (aka a strong ballad with great vocals to accompany, or a song like S’te fal which also scored well). I’ve heard some of her other music and it’s so generic, autotuned and trashy and does not showcase her talent at all.
The general audience has finished that business. It wasn’t a good song and therefore did not qualify. Quite simple. Frankly, Aly Ryan plays that pathetic game better.
Imagine Kosovo making their début in ESC being represented by Lindita… That would be EPIC!
i’d rather want her to invest funds into Bosnia’s comeback, they very much want to return to the contest, also i think her in a duo with one of their artists, Vukasin Brajic, would be a interesting idea for a nice power rock ballad
No, thank you.
From Spain.
Maybe Cyprus or San Marino can invite her..
i don’t like this mentality, where someone is so desperate to go they’d represent any given country. it’s like they want to represent themselves pretty much.
Makes me wonder. Had there been past singers that think this way pre-2000s? Especially those singers that have returned multiple times in the contest and may also have represented a different country/ies too? I wonder if they share a thinking like Lindita or not in the past.
Anne-Marie David
Anne-Marie David is french and represented France after Luxembourg, which was represented by 90% of times by french artists. So is not very like Lindita which seem want to represent any countries.
Feminem
She can still represent Kosovo. Since she is Kosovar. If that is ever going to happen, that is…
*The talent!!
It’s literally her holding a note. It isn’t a gimmick in any way. Every song with a note held for any length (a.k.a any song ever) is technically a gimmick then, but ok.
Exactly. It is an accomplishment, and an impressive one at that. It is in no way a gimmick. It is talent.
Aly Ryan is about to make a friend ?
One of many amazing vocalists that represented Albania. She was in my top five for that year (first before contest) so obviously, I’d love to see her come back if the situation was right for her.
If I’m not mistaken though, I thought she was based in the US since she had her baby? It would be a pretty big commitment if she were to do it in the next couple of years.
Sadly, I do not think RTVE (Spain’s public broadcaster) would give her a chance, let alone choose her.
Sorry but her songs Bote/World were both bad!
The news: Lindita Halimi will represent Cyprus in Rotterdam 2021
In a group with Aly Ryan, Mihai and Aiste Pilvelyte
Why not Albania again?
because she already did that, and i agree on your second chance she should try out for another country
San Marino has her and Inis Neziri to pick from. A duet, perhaps?
Also, regarding her and Serbia, there’s a very cute joint interview Wiwi did with her and Tijana Bogicevic in Kiev that shows they’re tight.
San Marino already has their artist chosen, Senhit
I meant for 2022
Good. I rly wanted Lindita to qualify (I really liked World, but I think nearly everyone can agree that Botë, much like Përrallë in 2016, is SO MUCH BETTER than the translation). Maybe she could come back for FiK this year? Who knows, but the song better be Albanian.
She deserved to qualify!
I still want her to return with a song in Albanian though