Albania 2022: 20 songs become 17 in Festivali i Këngës #60
The very first night of Albania's national selection for Eurovision 2022 took place in Tirana and featured 20 performances. Three songs were eliminated
We know the year is really nearing its end when Albania hosts their annual song contest, Festivali i Këngës, also their selection method for the Eurovision Song Contest most of the times.
Tonight's show (titled "Contestants Night") had the 20 artists up for competition performing the original version of their songs for the very first time.
14 of the artists were categorised as "Established artists" and 6 as "New artists". 3 of the newcomers were eliminated from Festivali i Këngës: Xhuli Pjetraj, Viola Xhemali and Kejsi Rrustja.
The event took place in Pallati i Kongreseve (Tirana) and was hosted by Ardit Gjebrea, Isli Islami, Kelvi Kadilli, Xhemi Shehu and Jonida Maliqi (Albania 2019).
Festivali i Këngës #60
Night 1
Festivali i Këngës #60
The 60th edition of Festivali i Këngës is scheduled to have its three shows being aired live from Tirana's Palace of Congresses. The show will consist in three shows:
27 December 2019: Contestants' Night- 28 December 2019: Nostalgia Night
- 29 December 2019: Final, Eurovision Night
All three shows are hosted by Albanian presenters Ardit Gjebrea, Isli Islami, Kelvi Kadilli, Xhemi Shehu and Jonida Maliqi (Albania 2019).
The jury panel is formed by Agim Doçi, Osman Mula, Anxhela Faber, Olti Curri, Olsa Toqi, Rozanna Radi and Anxhela Peristeri (Albania 2021).
Festivali i Këngës is organized by the Albanian national broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). Since its start in 1962, all artists have been asked to perform live, with a jury selecting the winner. Since 2003 the winner of the festival is Albania's representative to Eurovision Song Contest.
When Albania in 2004 finally applied EBU to participate in Eurovision Song Contest, they agree to let the winner of the country's most popular festival represent Albania.
Albania in Eurovision Song Contest
Since debuting in 2004, Albania has been participating in Eurovision Song Contest every year. Best result is a 5th place in 2012, where Rona Nishliu sang "Suus".
Out of the 17 times Albania has participated, they have qualified for the Grand final 10 times.
