Albania is coming to the party. On Thursday, Head of Delegation Kleart Duraj confirmed to Wiwibloggs that RTSH will participate in Eurovision 2021. They’re hoping to build on a good thing: Eugent Bushpepa and Jonida Maliqi have taken the Land of the Eagles to the final two years running. Spread those wings, guys!

Kleart says the broadcaster plans to choose its artist via the traditional song festival Festivali i Këngës. But these are strange times — and nobody knows how the Covid-19 pandemic will unfold and what restrictions will be in place when the contest is due to take place.

Kleart said: “Festivali i Këngës will be the national final…in the case the festival can take place, taking into account the restrictions due to the pandemic and its progress.”

Albania confirms for Eurovision 2021

Albania’s participation in Eurovision 2021 is certain, even if the circumstances surrounding its annual national selection aren’t. Producers are rightly proceeding as if the show will take place, so all their ducks — and divas — are in a row.

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.

That 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.

Which singers are you hoping to see in Albania’s traditional song festival? Are you hoping for some fierce electric guitar solos? Or are you leaning more toward those distinct, Albanian sounds? Let us know what you’re thinking in the comments box down below!

27 Comments
Newest
Oldest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
It's me
It's me
3 years ago

Off topic but I have a question: Will Hungary and Montenegro return to ESC?

ESC SSS
ESC SSS
3 years ago

I want…
Enca
Flori Mumajesi
Samanta Karavella
Ronela Hajati
Diona Fona
Nora Istrefi
Era Istrefi
Adelina Berisha
Valza
Leonora Jakupi
Arilena Ara (hopefully)
Melinda Ademi

Last edited 3 years ago by ESC SSS
Purple Mask
Purple Mask
3 years ago

You shall “fall from the sky” into the “world” of the festival. In “one night’s anger,” you shall “feel the passion” and “carry me in your dreams.” “Hear my plea” for a “fairytale” festival. 🙂

MyName
MyName
3 years ago

I really look forward to FIK: Live music, focus on music – not visual gimnicks, no 3 minute rule, and always some great rock songs. A good example of how a good national selection can be

Briekimchi
Briekimchi
3 years ago

Really excited that there’s going to be the chance for FiK this year. It’s easily my favourite NF. Would love Arilena to compete in it again and possibly win but if she doesn’t want to, that’s ok as well!

Dzole
Dzole
3 years ago

You know Macedonia confirmed too,but i geuss its not really interesting of an article smh..

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  Dzole

Its confirmation doesn’t come woth news about Skopje Fest, which they haven’t utilized for five years.

eef
eef
3 years ago

Tiri Gjoci! If not Arthemisa Mithi, that is. Jonida’s backing singers all did a great job

esc2021rotterdam
esc2021rotterdam
3 years ago

One minute, didn’t rtsh say a few months ago that fik 59 is going to happen no matter what? Fik is a tradition and I think it should be done even if full audience isn’t possible. I feel sad for arilena that she can’t go to eurovision but I can’t wait to see what fik will have for us in 2020?

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

Semi related and awesome news: according to a reputable site, PANIK Records is only considering artists of Cypriot origin for 2021!

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

omg finally Cyprus using Cypriot artists, we love to see it

eef
eef
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Well finally. Thought I kinda hoped for Melisses cuz they were shortlisted but…

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  eef

Technically it’s just the record company pitching the acts that’s said it, but seeing as PANIK is responsible for nine out of ten Cypriot (and Greek) Eurovision acts, it’s more or less a guarantee we’ll be seeing a Cypriot (or Greek) born-and-raised performer on the Eurovision stage.

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

Cypriot artists, it’s your time to shine!

Neil
Neil
3 years ago

Yesss! Lova Albania in Eurovision, And I wish Elhadia Dani will come back ( even though it is unlikely). She deserves to have a second chance after that throat infection.

Giolo
Giolo
3 years ago

I’m so happy thery’re coming back, I was sure they would not return in 2020. Hope we will get another masterpiece like Ktheju Tokes and Mall.

Jo.
Jo.
3 years ago
Reply to  Giolo

Indeed, perfect trilogy is still possible

Joe
Joe
3 years ago

So that only leaves Belarus, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Russia, and the UK to confirm. Nice to know that we’re for sure getting the majority of last year’s participants back!

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

And I see none of these countries withdrawing! It’s strange that UK haven’t said anything tho!

Cameron
Cameron
3 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

We never do until around November

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Erasmus

Belarus might be a tad iffy at the moment, but considering how they’re still (apparently) doing JESC in the midst of all the civil upheaval, maybe it isn’t totally out of the question.

Cillian
Cillian
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

I would assume that Russia are going to confirm because how good their song was received .
Belarus I would say are going to withdraw because of everything that’s going on in their country (sad because I love VAL )
UK and Portugal are probably going to going to confirm the same artist
Poland and Italy probably new artist

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago
Reply to  Cillian

elisa has already said she hasn’t been selected for 2021 tho

Joe
Joe
3 years ago
Reply to  Ashton

I’m pretty sure Festival da Cancao is going to pick the 2021 entry. UK is up in the air.

Ashton
Ashton
3 years ago
Reply to  Joe

fdc has rly been improving with some absolute GEMS in the last few years, so I am ready for the Portuguese music

Erasmus
Erasmus
3 years ago
Reply to  Cillian

Nah I think Poland are going with Alicja. Portugal, Italy and maybe also UK with a new one. Belarus will participate, I mean it’s still more than half a year till esc 2021. Russia will participate without a doubt, I also think Little Big will return.

James
James
3 years ago
Reply to  Cillian

Considering BTRC is currently being staffed by Russian employees, who knows if that alone will affect preparations for their national selection, on top of the pandemic still biting our butts.