If there’s anything we’ve learned during the pandemic, it’s that you have to pivot. And producers behind Albania’s Festivali i Këngës 59 have done just that for Albania’s Eurovision 2021 national selection.
This year the contest is being held outdoors on a stage constructed in the middle of Tirana’s Italia Square. The orchestra is gone. And, owing to the ever-present threat of weather changes, the first two nights of the show are being pre-recorded. Talk about all change! On top of all that, one contestant — Manjola Nallbani — has had to withdraw after contracting coronavirus. We wish her a speedy recovery.
Amid all that, one thing hasn’t change: We’ve once again watched of the competing songs and filmed a reaction video. You can watch the hour-long video below. If you’d prefer to skip to a specific act, you can use the timestamps in the YouTube description. They’re also pasted below.
The video will Premiere on YouTube at 11:00 London / 12:00 Tirana. It will be available to re-watch after the hour-long Premiere is over.
FiK 59: All songs Reaction Video
0:40 Agim Poshka – “Vendi im” (“My place”)
2:50 Devis Xherahu – “Peng” (“Hostage”) 4:55 Enxhi Nasufi – “Njësoj” (“Same”)
6:38 Evi Reçi -“Tjerr” (“Spin”)
8:16 Fatos Shabani – “Ty” (“You”)
9:54 Festina Mejzini – “Kush je ti dashuri” (“Who are you love”)
11:57 Florent Abrashi – “Vajzë” (“Girl”)
13:50 Franc Koruni – “E morën botën” (“They took the world”)
15:58 Gigliola Haveriku – “E lirë” (“Free”)
18:08 Gjergj Kaçinari -“Më jep jetë” (“It gives me life”)
20:18 Klinti Çollaku – “Do t’ja dal” (“I will do it”)
22:29 Orgesa Zaimi – “Valixhja e kujtimeve” (“Suitcase of Memories”)
24:18 Kamela Islamaj – “Ajo vajza” (“That girl”)
26:13 Klevis Bega (Kastro Ziso) – “Vallja e jetës” (“The dance of life”)
28:26 Rosela Gjylbegu – “Vashëzo”
30:25 Sardi Strugaj – “Kam me t’ba me kajt” (“I’ll make you cry”)
31:50 Stefan Marena – “Meteor”
34:05 Viktor Tahiraj – “Nënë” (“Mother”)
36:10 Wendi Mancaku – “Si ajo” (“Like Her”)
38:15 Xhesika Polo – “Më mbron” (“It protects me”)
40:35 Erik Lloshi – “Jo” (“Not”)
42:43 Manjola Nallbani – “Ora e jetës” (“The hour of life”)
45:45 Era Rusi – “Zjarri im” (“My fire”)
49:00 Anxhela Peristeri – “Karma”
52:28 Inis Neziri – “Pendesë” (“Penance”)
55:58 Durim Morina (Mirud) – “Nëse vdes” (“If I die”)
