Albania: Ronela Hajati releases the revamped version of her Eurovision 2022 entry 'Sekret'

Friday, 04 March 2022

• The Albanian Eurovision 2022 hopeful, Ronela Hajati, has released a revamped version of her Eurovision entry 'Sekret' along with the official music video. 

  Following her victory in the Albanian national selection of Festivali i Këngës back in December 2021, Ronela has dropped a revamp of her entry for Turin 'Sekret' along with the official music video of the song. 

  "Sekret" has been composed and written by Hajati herself and produced by Albanian producer Marko Polo. Combining traditional and modern elements, "Sekret" is an Albanian-language upbeat ethnic-pop song whose instrumentation includes folk instrumentation.
  

  The offiicial music video has been Filmed in Gjirokastër and along the Vjosë River at Byllis and Tepelenë, the video is a tribute to the Albanian mythological snake of Bistricë. Regarding the video's theme, it was aimed to increase public awareness and conservation efforts for the threatened Vjosë River, which is often dubbed as Europe's last living wild river.

   

  Ronela will be competing in the first half of the first semi final show on May 10 in Turin, Italy. 

   

  A few words for Ronela Hajati

  Ronela Hajati , born on 2 September 1989 is  also known mononymously as Ronela, is an Albanian singer, songwriter and dancer. Born and raised in Tirana, she began performing in various singing and dancing competitions as a child before pursuing a career in music. Hajati is noted for her versatility in music, style and interpretation. 

  Showing interest in music from a very young age, Hajati studied both ballet and piano during her elementary school years.^[6] She also participated in a series of Albanian singing and dancing competitions.Hajati continued her early career with participations on various music events at different occasions, such as Top Fest and Kënga Magjike.

  She rose to significant prominence in the Albanian-speaking Balkans upon the release of the acclaimed single "Mala Gata" in May 2013. In late 2013, she participated in the 15th edition of Kënga Magjike with the song "Mos ma lsho", which earned her the Internet Award in the grand final. In December 2015, Hajati released her follow-up single "A do si kjo" and peaked at number 13 in Albania.The succeeding charting single, "Marre", followed in June 2016 and peaked at number 13 as well.

  After continuous chart success with several singles in 2017 , 2018 ( "Mos ik", "Sonte", "Maje men" and "Do ta luj") and in 2019  ("Çohu") in  March 2021, Hajati announced her debut studio album, RRON, scheduled to be issued in the next year. Its lead single, "Prologue", rose to number two in the Albanian Top 100 a month later. Thoruhout the year she's been releasing single of her upcoming debut album. 

   

  Albania in Eurovision 

  In 2004 Albania participated for the first time in the contest  with Anjeza Shahini and the entry “The Image of You”, which came 7th . The country hasn’t scored a victory yet in its 16 participations up to date. Its best result was achieved in 2012 with Rona Nishliu and her 5th placing in Baku with her song “Suus”. 

  In 2019 Jonida Maliqi won the Festivali i Kenges 2018   and became the 16th Albanian representative in Eurovision. Her song Ktheju Tokes ended in the 17th place of the Grand final. In 2020 Arilena Ara won the national final and was set to perform her song Fall From Sky on the Eurovision stage in Rotterdam, but saw her journey end early, due to the coronavirus outbreak as the contest was cancelled . 

  This year, Anxhela Peristeri, won the 59th edition of Festivali i Kenges with her song "Karma" and went on representing the nation in Rotterdam, where after qualifying to the final she finished 21st with a total of 57 points. 

   

  News source: RTSH/ eurovision.tv