It’s traditionally the first national selection of the Eurovision season. And COVID or not, it seems that this year will be no different as Albania’s RTSH has published the 26 artists and song titles which will compete in Festivali i Këngës 59.
The list features many familiar names and fan favourites including the likes of Orgesa Zaimi, New Wave 2019 winner Inis Neziri, and Era Rusi. However, there is one notable omission — Arilena Ara, the winner of FiK 58 and Albania’s representative for the cancelled Eurovision 2020 contest.
This means that Albania will have a completely new act for Eurovision 2021.
Albania’s own pop mega-star Elvana Gjata is also absent. It appears that she’s not ready to avenge “Me Tana” just yet.
The FiK 59 line up is a mix of returning artists and those making their festival debut. There’s a good mix of Albanian talent, including starts of television talent shows and other song contests. Wiwibloggs reader Skiwalko has made this breakdown:
- 18 returning artists (including 5 FiK 2019 contestants)
- Four completely new artists (including an X Factor alumnus (Sardi Strugaj), The Voice of Albania alumnus (Gigliola Haveriku) and Anxhela Peristeri, who came third in Kenga Magjike 2019, as well as Stefan Marena)
- Two FiK winners (Viktor Tahiraj and Manjola Nallbani)
- Two past FiK Youth Group participants
- One past FiK composer (Gjergj Kacinari)
- One past member of FiK jury (Evi Reci)
Festivali i këngës 59 – Artists and Song Titles
Song title translations are not official.
- Agim Poshka – “Vendi im” (“My place”)
- Anxhela Peristeri – “Karma”
- Devis Xherahu – “Peng” (“Hostage”)
- Durim Morina (Mirud) – “Nëse vdes” (“If I die”)
- Enxhi Nasufi – “Njësoj” (“Same”)
- Era Rusi – “Zjarri im” (“My fire”)
- Erikson Lloshi – “Jo” (“Not”)
- Evi Reçi -“Tjerr” (“Spin”)
- Fatos Shabani – “Ty” (“You”)
- Festina Mejzini – “Kush je ti dashuri” (“Who are you love”)
- Florent Abrashi – “Vajzë” (“Girl”)
- Franc Koruni – “E morën botën” (“They took the world”)
- Giliola Haveriku – “E lirë” (“Free”)
- Gjergj Kaçinari -“Më jep jetë” (“It gives me life”)
- Inis Neziri – “Pendesë” (“Penance”)
- Kamela Islamaj – “Ajo vajza” (“That girl”)
- Klevis Bega (Kastro Ziso) – “Vallja e jetës” (“The dance of life”)
- Klinti Çollaku – “Do t’ja dal” (“I will do it”)
- Manjola Nallbani – “Ora e jetës” (“The hour of life”)
- Orgesa Zaimi – “Valixhja e kujtimeve” (“Suitcase of Memories”)
- Rosela Gjylbegu – “Vashëzo”
- Sardi Strugaj – “Kam me t’ba me kajt” (“I’ll make you cry”)
- Stefan Marena – “Meteor”
- Viktor Tahiraj – “Nënë” (“Mother”)
- Wendi Mancaku – “Si ajo” (“Like Her”)
- Xhesika Polo – “Më mbron” (“It protects me”)
Albania at Eurovision 2021
Back in September, Albania confirmed its place at Eurovision 2021.
Head of Delegation Kleart Duraj confirmed that 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’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.
The dates and format for FiK 59 have yet to be confirmed.
What do you think of the list of names? Who are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments.
Arisa in Albania?
I think this year it will be between Anxhela Peristeri and Era Rusi. The dark horse is likely Inis Neziri.
I truly hope that there won’t be another Elvana-act to court controversy when losing the game. Europe is still traumatised from “FiK 58” so let’s consign that to oblivion and get back on track. Albania is the most serious participating country in this event, therefore, it should lead by example. Thank you and good luck one and all.
did Manjola never win fik?
She did, three times at that (1989,1992, 1993), and she took part like 10 times. I don’t how I could’ve forgot about that, “Kur e humba nje dashuri” is a pretty great song.
Orgesa for the win!
Kamela was so good last year! Also have high hopes for Era Rusi’s song, hers was one of my favorites last year
This lineup just makes me happy. No doubt this is going to be the NF lineup of the year, again. Kamela Islamaj, Manjola Nallbani, Inis Nezeri and Mirud are all incredible vocal talents. I’m really excited to have Xhesika Polo back, too. She could be amazing if she has the song.
Waiting for the songs now.
yes! finally Eurovision hype) can’t wait for FIK to start)))
btw, there is a news about Ukrainian entry, please write an article, I think their song gonna be epic))
I feel ESC 2021 have many scary conflicts right now. Azerbaijan/Armenia war. France/Europe vs Turkey conflict. Belarus vs their dictator and Russia helping him conflict.
please don’t translate. pLEase Don’t Translate. PLEASE DONT TRANSLATE ALBANIA I BEG OF YOU
Xhesika is back, Perjete was my winner of Fik 2018, so happy to see her stay as I do sincerely believe that she was robbed.
The song was absolutely beautiful but her vocal that night was not… I’m glad to see her back and I hope she had time to improve
Also Sardi’s song actually means “I’ll make you cry” and Wendi’s song means “Like her”
OMG the hype!
So many great names! I wish them all the best of luck ??
So hyped to see Mirud, Orgesa and Inis back! It’s funny someone else has a song named Mother with Mirud competing as well xD
It’s sad though that neither Arilena Nor Elvana are back as well…
I’m glad that Kamela is back, she had my favorite entry last year. And it always great to see Orgesa pushing FiK’s boundaries. Especially curious about what these 2 will bring to the table, but the list has also a bunch of performers I liked in my 3 years following FiK. It will be interesting to see how things will play out this time, since last year we all knew it would be Arilena x Elvana, no matter what we thought about their songs (I actually liked both, though “Shaj” really lost me with the revamp/translation).
Umm, where do you exactly see Mirud in there?
Under the name Durim Morina. I missed it too on the first glance.
Yees! I’m so happy to see Inis Neziri back! Her song “Piedestal” was one of my favourites in 2018 FiK. Also glad to see Era Rusi in the lineup. “Eja merre” was in my top 3 last year together with “Me tana” and “Shaj”.
You think they’re gonna do a televote or should we not hold our breath?
(Also KEEP IT IN ALBANIAN).
I wouldn’t bet on that considering that in the last decade they only used it once, and even then it only accounted for 7.7% of the votes. But you never know, maybe after last year’s controversy RTSH will reconsider their approach. I’ve heard some people say that the televote could be easily manipulated due to a probable low number of votes cast, but honestly leaving the choice to 5 people seems just as unjust.
I wouldn’t bet on that considering that in the last decade they only used it once, and even then it only accounted for 7.7% of the votes. But you never know, maybe after last year’s controversy RTSH will reconsider their approach. I’ve heard some people say that the televote could be easily manipulated due to a probable low number of votes cast, but in all honesty leaving the choice to 5 people seems just as unjust.
(my first reply is awaiting for approval, so a similar comment should pop up above later in the day)
I know, I am hyped too. Loved Nene (my joint FiK winner of 2019, tied with Jonida.) 🙂
At first I didn’t realize it was him by a different name, but I’m now even more hyped.
My 2018, 2019 AND 2020 winner trying out again. Bring it on!
Where is Bojken Lako ?
finally someone appreciates bojken
I weirdly like malaseen, its strange but cool
This year’s Bojken is Kastro Zizo. He will likely have an unusual song that nobody likes on a first listen, but the jury will give high points to due to philosophical lyrics and unusual song structure.
If a song has an English translation next to it, does it mean it’s going to be translated from Albanian to English if it goes to Eurovision?
No. It just means that it’s in Albanian and they translated the title into English
When are the songs going to be released?
INIS AND ORGESA OMFGGGG!!!!!! fikmas is my favorite time of the year. i wish yll limani would come back 🙁
Where is Arthemisia??? I want her to represent Albania! She‘s fantastic!
Lets’ wait until we will have a real Eurovision because Covid Eurovison 2021 will be so depressing.
A bit disappointed that Elvana Gjata is not here…
Everyone is underestimating Anxhela Peristeri so much here. She is one of the best albanian singers and has always finished in the podium of every festival she’s competed in (not to mention her Kenga Magjike win in 2017!). I don’t think she would try out for eurovision without having this win in the bag seeing how much of a perfectionist she is. I’m definitely betting my odds on her although I really like Sardi Struga’s music and am rooting for him.
This is a great line-up. It includes my FiK winner of 2018, Inis Neziri, and my FiK winner of 2020, Wendi Mancaku. Moreover, I really enjoyed the previous entries by Klinti, Festina, Xhesika, Kamela and Orgesa. Era Rusi’s 2020 song was on the middle of my list, but she is an excellent performer. I have high expectations already. This will hopefully turn out to be a good start of this season. I just hope they will release the songs soon.
I am actually surprised that someone likes Wendy’s song. It was my favourite last year as well. Still can’t understand why it didn’t go to the finals…
I loved it. Was my 4th if I remember correctly.
well not impressed with the lineup.. but who knows we have to hear the songs first.
INIIIISSSS
ORGESAAAAA YESSSS
FINALLY A NATIONAL FINALLLLLLLL YESSSS
For those interested, this year’s FiK line-up consists of:
Anxhela has won Kenga Magjike actually and finished 2nd and third once
I didn’t know that, thanks! I only started following KM two years ago, so there’s a lot of editions for me to catch up on.
And the one winner won before Albania sent the winners to Eurovision, so no possibility of a returning Eurovision veteran for the first time in a while. New blood! We love to see it!
Anxhela Peristeri for win! I like her so much and her voice is beautiful. Also i’m glad that Orgesa, Kamela and Era are back!
Dissapointed 🙁 Arilena is hot, and she would’ve bring some fresh air to the contest …
And what is the fresh air you are talking about exactly?
You know some heterosexual energy.
Exactly
Her presence …and from moral point of view, everybody deserve a second chance !! Ok i understand, that she did not apply again but Albania should picked her internally and save some money …
Yeah agree 🙁
Lol that made me chuckle!
Great to see Inis back!
I’m happy to see Kamela back. Mej ngjyros was such a tune and she oozed charisma even if her styling was questionable.
I kinda expected not to see Elvana on the list. If she will ever come back, it will be when Eurovision is for sure held as before; live in arena with full audience.
I’m glad for Era Rusi. She had very good song last year. 🙂
Omg! So many boring and repetitive names….it feels like this years selection will not top from last year…touché
Yess, era rusi. Her song was so cool last year.
Stifler’s mom is back yasssss
hahahah
I don’t understand the reference xD
She looks like Stifler mom (little bit) 😀 at least last yeat when she sang her song in FIK 😀
So happy Orgesa is in the known line up she is queen