Road to Rotterdam: Latvia

Albania selects: the Festivali i Këngës final will be held tonight. After two semifinals, the final with 15 songs will be held. The show will start at 21:00 CET and you can watch it on YouTube. There is a slight difference from the last two contests: this year, the winner of the contest will also represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest.  These are the 15 songs: no. Title Artist   1 Gjallë Jet 2 Kur Bota Hesht Kejsi Jazhxhi 3 Lutem Vesa Smolica 4 E këshim Nis Stine 5 Larg Djemtë e Detit 6 Zemrës Nita Latifi 7 Larg Jetës Pa Ty Gjergj Kaçinari 8 I parë Orgesa Zaimi 9 Amanë Ardit Çuni 10 Bosh Algert Sala 11 Zjerm Shkoadra Elektronike 12 Frymë Lorenc Hasrama 13 Karnaval Elvana Gjata 14 Antihero Mal Retkoceri 15 Mjegull Alis Kallacej Gjergj Kaçinari took part in Festivali i Këngës 2020 (final) and 2021 (final).Orgesa Zaimi participated in 2015 (semifinal), 2017 (final), 2018 (final) and 2020 (final).Elvana Gjata took part in 2003 (semifinal) and 2019 (2nd).Mal Retkoceri was chosen as the winner of Festival i Këngës 2023, but not as the Eurovision participant. Note that every participation was in the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest a year later. If it says 2020 it was, for example, for the 2021 Eurovision final. Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest Albania has been part of the Eurovision Song Contest since 2004. Their first entry was “The Image of You” by Anjeza Shahini, which finished in 7th place. The country often chooses its songs through the Festivali i Këngës competition. Albania’s best result came in 2012 when Rona Nishliu sang “Suus” and finished 5th. The songs are usually performed in Albanian, but some are in English. Albania is known for powerful ballads and strong vocal performances. Share