Back in July, Albania’s broadcaster RTSH confirmed that it will go ahead with the 59th edition of its long-running song contest Festivali i Këngës. And on August 14 RTSH officially opened the submission process, calling on songwriters and performers to submit their entries in person or by e-mail on October 1 and 2, 2020.

FESTIVALI 59-të i KËNGËS NË RTSH Radio Televizioni Shqiptar fton të gjithë krijuesit dhe interpretuesit të marrin…

Posted by Festivali i këngës në RTSH on Friday, August 14, 2020

 

The announcement does not mention the Eurovision Song Contest. But it’s safe to assume that, as ever, the contest will be used to choose Albania’s entry for Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam.

While the song festival predates Albania’s Eurovision participation, since 2003 the winner of FiK has always gone on to represent Albania at Eurovision the following year.

That likely means that last year’s winner Arilena Ara will not receive a free pass to Rotterdam for 2021. She’ll have to sing for her legacy like everybody else if she wants another shot at Eurovision glory.

Arilena won the last edition of Albania’s national final and was expecting to head Rotterdam last May with her song “Fall From The Sky”. Unfortunately, Eurovision 2020 was cancelled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

This meant that the X Factor Albania winner did not have the chance to realise her Eurovision dream in 2020.

More details about Festivali i Këngës 59

Local news media Zëri reports that although there are still many uncertainties due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become clear that the Festivali i Këngës will take place no matter what.

Currently, all large public gatherings in Albania are indefinitely cancelled. It is not known if this restriction will remain in place in December and what effect, if any, COVID-19 precautions will have on Festivali i Këngës 59.

Festivali i Këngës has been held annually since 1962. In 2003, the festival began double duty as Albania’s national selection, with the FiK winner also representing Albania at Eurovision.

Are you excited about Festivali i Këngës 59? Do you think it’s fair that Arilena Ara will not be chosen automatically for Eurovision 2021? Let us know in the comment section down below!

Read more Albania Eurovision news here

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esc2021rotterdam
esc2021rotterdam
3 years ago

Tbh honest I’m really looking forward for fin 59 but I’m really sad for arilena for missing such an amazing opportunity, She actually has beaten a huge fan favourite in fik 58 (elevana) and then has gone to Los Angeles (I think) to revamp her song (even though the original was better imo) so it’s such a shame that all of her hard work was wasted (at least for eurovision) but it didn’t surprise me as fik is a tradition. I’m also not going to be suprised if Italy does it to diodato and Portugal does it to elisa as… Read more »

Last edited 3 years ago by esc2021rotterdam
Badwoolfgirl
Badwoolfgirl
3 years ago

Here’s something that’s on my mind–if restrictions are still in place, wouldn’t that mean there would be no live orchestra because that’s too many people?

1998
1998
3 years ago

And still no information about their participation in ESC… 2020 was definitely the most boring year for the news about ESC.

RavensHeart
RavensHeart
3 years ago

She didnt win fairly the first time, thank god she’s gone. Elvana Gjata needs a fair shot

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago
Reply to  RavensHeart

While the way FiK does things (without televote) is inherently unfair to the people of Albania, and I vehemently disagree with the points Mikaela Minga gave to Elvana, Arilena won fair and square.

Eurovision fan
Eurovision fan
3 years ago

Elvana Gjata should participate again and win with an upbeat and feel-good song like Me Tana. I know it’s a big risk, but she can slay in Rotterdam and nice result in Eurovision can only boost her excellent career even more and make her known to further audience. If they see she applied again, they would find jurors who have sense for what we need from Albania.

I’m sorry for Arilena. She can apply again too.

Hyunwoo
Hyunwoo
3 years ago

Preferably Arilena Ara internally, but they will likely carry on with FiK choosing their next entrant anyway, and I don’t think Ari has ever intended to participate again after winning once… Tiri Gjoci, one of the epic backing singers to Jonida Maliqi, would be my ideal pick then. He’s been a part of the show ever since FiK that was choosing for Eurovision 2016 or 2017. And I really liked his last year’s song!

ESCFanGA
ESCFanGA
3 years ago

I’m personally very happy that FiK will be taking place as usual later this year and I’m really looking forward to it because it will mark the beginning of a new Eurovision season and allow me to get over the cancellation of Eurovision 2020.

ESC SSS
ESC SSS
3 years ago

Imagine Era Istrefi, Ronela Hajati, Diona Fona joining FIK 59. That would literally bring Albania to the top 10 😀

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

It’s my favourite NF so yay.
However, Arilena was my favourite artist from last year so less yay.

Biyonse
Biyonse
3 years ago

Sorry but I’m still thinking Shaj was the fair winner of FiK last year. Arilena it’s amazing and I’m sure “Fall from the Sky” would have been better positioned than we think, and that’s the tea today

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago

Well I want her to be selected again. Also I’m in minority, but I don’t think FiK is doing Albania any favours since it is quite outdated – especially in how they select the songs… Want to see something fresh from them for once and not another ballad for the fifth time in a row.

Micky
Micky
3 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

2018 was a ballad? Well probably a rock one…

Jake Mason
Jake Mason
3 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

Elvana was the key, ballards like Jonida can be excused

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago

Hot take but I love FiK. All them songs are underrated by the fandom (Rrefehem in 2019? Infinit in 2016? Ngrije Zerin in 2018?) so I’m v excited for this. Sad for Arilena, but I hated Fall From The Sky I’m not gonna lie. Me Tana was fully robbed, but Arilena’s vocal is flawless

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton

Seconded on literally every count. Albania has one of the best national finals every year, and call me selfish, but I want to see some good new stuff from them this year.

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I rly don’t know why you are being downvoted, I’m very confused at it, but I’m excited for some new stuff too 🙂

Mr X
Mr X
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton

I hated it too….