Anxhela Peristeri will represent Albania in Eurovision 2021

The very first national selection of the season has just come to an end with the selection of Anxhela Peristeri as the winner of Festivali i Këngës 59 beating the remaining 17 contestants.

The 18 finalists took the stage once again in order to convince the professional jury they had the right song to represent Albania in Eurovision 2021.

Similary to the semi-finals, the final show of Festivali i Këngës had been pre-recorded, without an audience, and took place in Sheshi Italia, an outdoor venue in Tirana to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The show was once again hosted by Jonida Vokshi and Blendi Salaj, both known TV hosts in the country.

The show featured special guests such as Rame Lahaj (opera singer), Mixed Up Everything (Australian band) and former Albania representative, Eugent Bushpepa (Albania 2018) who got to perform a cover of the classic "Hallelujah".

Anxhela Peristeri ended up being the favorite of the professional jury with the song Karma. Nonetheless, and even though that was the favorite song, it is likely that a revamp happens before Eurovision 2021.

The winner was chosen by a professional jury.

Festivali i Këngës 59

Unlike previous years, the 59th edition of Festivali i Këngës was pre-recorded in Tirana's Sheshi Italia, an outdoor venue to fight the spread of COVID-19. The show will consist of three shows:

• 21 December 2019: Semi-final 1
• 22 December 2019: Semi-final 2
• 23 December 2019: Final

During the first night the songs were performed in their original version while on the second night, in acoustic versions. The qualifiers were chosen by a professional group of judges.

All three shows were hosted by Jonida Vokshi and Blendi Salaj.

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.

Anxhela Peristeri

Anxhela Peristeri (34) is an Albanian singer-songwriter and model. She has been performing at several concerts and festivals. In 2001 she participated for the first time in Festivali i Këngës. In 2004 she released her debut album Anxhela për ju, In 2017 she won the 19th edition of the festival Kënga Magjike.

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 16 times Albania has participated, they have qualified for the Grand final 9 times.