Kënga Magjike

Ronela Hajati

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameRonela Hajati Born01 month 1900 Nationality🇦🇱 Albanian National SelectionFestival i Këngës 2022 In Eurovision2022 Turin SongSekret (2022) Biography Ronela Hajati, also known as Ronela, is an Albanian singer, songwriter and dancer. Born and raised in Tirana, she began performing in various song and dance competitions as a child before pursuing a career in music. Ronela Hajati studied ballet and piano during at a young age. She also participated in a number of Albanian singing and dancing competitions. Ronela continued her early career by participating in various musical events on various occasions, such as Top Fest and Kënga Magjike. She rose to fame in the Albanian-speaking Balkans after the release of the well-known song “Mala Gata” in May 2013. At the end of 2013, she participated in the 15th edition of Kënga Magjike with the song “Mos ma isho”. In the grand final, she got the internet award. In December 2015, Hajati released her next song “A do si kjo” and peaked at number 13 in Albania. The follow up, “Marre”, followed in June 2016 and peaked at number 13 as well. Over the course of 2017 and 2018, Hayati released four subsequent songs, including “Mos ik”, “Sonte”, “Maje men” and “Do ta luj”, with commercial success reaching the top 30 in Albania. In December 2018, she successfully returned to Kënga Magjike to compete in the 20th edition of the contest with the song “Vuj”. In March 2019, the singer released the single “Pa dashni” and reached sixth place in Albania. Her success on the list followed in June 2019 with the song “Çohu”, a collaboration with Albanian rapper Don Phenom, debuting in seventh place in the top 100 of the country. Following the 10th best song “Lage”, Hajati scored her first number one song with “MVP”, released later that year. In July 2020, the Albanian football club KF Tirana approached Hajati to produce and perform the club anthem “Bardh ‘e blu” as part of the celebrations to mark its centenary. In March 2021, Hajati announced her studio debut album, “RRON”, scheduled for release next year.Her new single, “Prologue”, debuted the same month in 19th place in the Albanian Top 100 and rose to number two a month later. The second song from the album, “Shumë i mirë” which had reached the 15th place at the end of 2021, was nominated for an award at the gala Netët e Klipit Shqiptar 2021. The third song, “Aventura” released in May 2021, continued to reach third place in the Albianan charts. In June 2021, she collaborated with Kosovo Albanian musician Vig Poppa on the album’s fourth song, “Alo”, which became one of the top 15 songs of the month. Released in October 2021, the “Lejet” sequel eventually reached number 13. In december of the same year, Ronela Hajati participatedin Festival i Këngës. With the song “Sekret”, she won the contest. In 2022 she represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest. In 2022 she also scored a hit “Gips” in collaboration with MatoLale and a hit song “Caramel”. With the song “Salvaje”, Ronela took part in the 2023 San Marinese final for the Eurovision Song Contest. However, she did not reach the top-10 of the final. Entries Sekret Country🇦🇱 Albania Year2022 LanguageEnglish LyricsRonela Hajati MusicRonela Hajati DancersKlaudia PepaMario UzziYusef ZahirKarmine VerolaAndrea Felice Results Semi Points: 58Position: 12Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/_jWXmo0-ZjI

Hersi Matmuja

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameHersjana Matmuja Born01 February 1990 Nationality🇦🇱 Albanian National SelectionFestivali i Këngës 2014Festivali i Këngës 2013Festivali i Këngës 2012Festivali i Këngës 2011Festivali i Këngës 2007 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongOne Night’s Anger (2014) Biography Hersi Matmuja is an Albanian singer. Born on February 1, 1990, in Kukës, Albania, Hersi displayed an early interest in music. She began her professional music career when she was quite young and by her teens had already gained considerable recognition in the music industry in Albania. She studied at the Artistic Lyceum Jordan Misja in Tirana, after which she went to Italy to study at the Santa Cecilia conservatory in Rome, pursuing a degree in music and specializing in canto. This further honed her musical skills, and she was able to blend her knowledge of classical and popular music in her performances. Hersi Matmuja is most recognized for her participation in Festivali i Këngës, an annual music competition in Albania and one of the longest-running musical events in the country. She participated in this competition several times, first in 2007. Participations followed in 2011, 2012 and 2013. In 2014, she won the competition with the song “Zemërimi i një nate,” which gave her the opportunity to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest that year. The song was translated into English for the Eurovision Song Contest and performed as “One Night’s Anger.” Beginning in 2015, she started a collaboration with the Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio, contributing to multiple of their productions. Her outstanding performance in the orchestra’s version of Carmen earned her the role of Donna Elvira in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, reimagined by the Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio. For two consecutive years, this interpretation of Don Giovanni was performed. In 2018, she voiced the Credo, a religious piece from the Orchestra di Piazza Vittorio, performed at the Panteão Nacional in Lisbon. On the experimental music front, she delved into the contemporary repertoire, particularly the pieces composed by Albanian artist Admir Shkurtaj. In 2016, she was featured in his opera Katër i Radës. Il Naufragio, a chamber opera produced by the Koreja Theater in Lecce. In 2018, she gave a live performance with the Mesimèr Ensemble of music. In 2020, she was part of the inaugural performance of the opera-concert KA. She also took part in the finale of the 40th Valentino Bucchi Composition Competition, performing three of the six final compositions. In 2019, Hersi Matmuja collaborated with Ilaria Fantin. They formed the duo Hana. The duo published their live videos on YouTube. In 2021 they did a tour through Italy. Also in 2021, Hersi released a new song and video, “Kënga çobanit”, which was inspired on the Luma folk tradition. In the same year, she co-organized the Gjallica International Festival, a festival with live music, poetry, workshops and the possibility to buy local products and see something of the area. Entries One Night’s Anger Country🇦🇱 Albania Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsJorgo Papingji MusicGenti Lako BackingsErga HalilajDorian MetohuOlsa PapandiliEdris Kraja Results Semi Points: 22Position: 15Running order: 6 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Ahu_K_Jh2vc

Juliana Pasha

About Quick Facts NameJuliana Pasha Born20 May 1980 Nationality🇦🇱 Albanian National SelectionFestivali i Këngës 2010Festivali i Këngës 2009Festivali i Këngës 2008 In Eurovision2010 Oslo SongIt’s All About You (2010) Biography Juliana Pasha, born on May 20, 1980, is a prominent Albanian singer who has significantly influenced the music scene in her home country. Juliana’s journey into music began at a young age, paving her way to national recognition and international platforms. Juliana’s career took a notable turn when she participated in Albania’s national selections for the Eurovision Song Contest. Her early attempts in 2007 with “Qielli i ri” and in 2008 with “Një jetë,” a duet with Luiz Ejlli, saw her finishing 3rd and 2nd, respectively. These performances built a solid foundation for her musical career and increased her visibility in the Albanian music industry. The pinnacle of Juliana’s early career came in 2009 when she won the national final to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 with her song “It’s All About You.” Performing in Bærum, Juliana showcased her vocal prowess on a grand stage. She successfully advanced to the finals, performed fifteenth, and ultimately placed 16th out of 25 contestants, receiving 62 points, including a high score of 12 points from Macedonia. Following her Eurovision appearance, Juliana continued to garner acclaim. In 2010, she won the prestigious “Kënga Magjike” festival with “Sa e shite zemren,” a collaboration with Luiz Ejlli. In 2016, she performed at the Te Stela resort along with, a.o. Olta Boka and Kejsi Tola. A year later, with the same team she performed at Hotel Kalaja in Gjakovë, Kosovo. In March 2017 she released a new single, “Jeto!”, to get attention for human trafficking. In January 2018 this was followed by a benefit concert for the victims of human trafficking. In July 2018 she had a summer hit: “Në më jë”. In August 2019 she did the job again with the song “Yll i rralle”. In early 2020, she became part of the La La Land music shows in Tirana. In November and December of the same year, she participated in the show Këngë Moj. In December she released the new single “Më e bukura mbi dhe!”. Beyond singing, Juliana expanded her influence by taking on the role of a mentor and judge in the first series of the Albanian and Kosovo version of “The X Factor.” Her expertise and experience brought valuable insights to the show, helping to guide and inspire a new generation of artists. Juliana’s contributions to music have been recognized with multiple awards. Notably, she received the Honorary Citizen Award of Burrel in 2010. Her other accolades include winning the Çesk Zadeja Prize at “Kënga Magjike” in 2005, the Critic Prize in 2008, and she won the third prize in 2012 and 2015. She also took part in the 2019 contest. In 2016, she won the Vulkan Award. Outside of her musical endeavors, Juliana is known for her deep faith and philanthropic efforts, particularly in combating the blood feud tradition in Albania through her involvement in the Hanna project. Her personal beliefs and humanitarian efforts have played a significant role in shaping her public persona and her approach to her career and life. Entries It’s All About You Country🇦🇱 Albania Year2010 LanguageEnglish LyricsArdit GjebreaPirro Çako MusicArdit Gjebrea BackingsGlenys VargasOlen CesariJoy GarrisonDesiree Kedjour Results Semi Points: 76Position: 6Running order: 12 Results Finals Points: 62Position: 16Running order: 15 https://youtu.be/idE_32NUJbo?si=Gqf82Iz2PO_y5yW0