Albania: Finalists for Festivali i Këngës 56 decided

After two nights of semi-finals in Albania, 14 finalists are decided to compete for the ticket to Eurovision Song Contest 2018 in Lisbon. Tomorrow on the 23 December 2017 we will see the 14 compete in the final of Festivali i Këngës in Albania.

Festivali i Këngës - Finalists

Running order

1. Redon Makashi – "Ekzistoj"
2. NA & Festina Mezini – "Tjetër jetë"
3. Voltan Prodani – "Pse të desha"
4. Denisa Gjezo – "Zemër ku je"
5. Tiri Gjoci – "Orë e ndaluar"
6. Orgesa Zaimi – "Ngrije zërin"
7. Rezarta Smaja & Luis Ejlli – "Ra një yll"
8. Artemisa Mithi – "E dua botën"
9. Manjola Nallbani – "I njejti qiell"
10. Inis Neziri – "Piedestal"
11. Bojken Lako – "Sytë e shpirtit"
12. Mariza Ikonomi – "Unë"
13. Eugent Bushpepa – "Mall"
14. Elton Deda – "Fjalët"

Festivali i Këngës #56

This year's Festivali i Këngës will again be held in December live from the congress hall "Pallati i Kongreseve" in central Tirana, with two semi-finals and one final:

• 21 December 2017: Semi-final 1
• 22 December 2017: Semi-final 2
• 23 December 2017: Final

Host of all three shows is Adi Krasta. Adi also hosted the festival in 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003 and 2006.

Festivali i Këngës is organized by the Albanian national broadcaster Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). Since its start in 1966, 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 14 times Albania has participated, they have qualified for the Grand final 7 times.