Albania: RTSH unveils the line up of the 59th Festivali i Këngës

• The Albanian national broadcaster, RTSH , has revealed the final line up of the 59th edition of Festivali i Këngës, the show through which the country will determine its Eurovision 2021 representative. 

  The Albanian national selection process is progressing to the next stage as RTSH unveils the participants of Festivali i Këngës 59. A total of 26 contestants will compete in December's show in order to win the right to represent the nation at Eurovision 2021 in Rotterdam. 

  A special committee formed by Alma Bektashi, Jonida Maliqi, Agim Doçi, Klodian Qafoku, Eugent Bushpepa listened to the songs submitted to RTSH and decided to advance to the national final the following 26 acts and songs: 

  Peng- Devis Xherahu
  Valixhja e kujtimeve- Orgesa Zaimi
  Kush je ti dashuri- Festina Mejzini
  E morën botën- Franc Koruni
  Pendesë- Inis Neziri
  Kam me t’ba me kajt- Sardi Strugaj
  Më jep jetë- Gjergj Kaçinari
  Nëse vdes- Durim Morina (Mirudi)
  Tjerr- Evi Reçi
  Vashëzo- Rosela Gjylbegu
  Vallja e jetës- Klevis Bega (Kastro Ziso)
  Do t’ja dal- Klinti Çollaku
  Karma- Anxhela Peristeri
  Si ajo- Wendi Mancaku
  Ty- Fatos Shabani
  Vajzë- Florent Abrashi
  Njësoj- Enxhi Nasufi
  Ajo vajza- Kamela Islamaj
  Zjarri im- Era Rusi
  Jo- Erikson Lloshi
  Më mbron- Xhesika Polo
  Ora e jetës- Manjola Nallbani
  E lirë- Giliola Haveriku
  Nënë- Viktor Tahiraj
  Vendi im- Agim Poshka
  Meteor- Stefan Marena
   
  Therefore, according to the list this year's hopeful Arilena Ara will not attempt to represent the country in Eurovision 2021. 
   
   
  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.

  This year Arilena Ara was set to perform her song Fall From Sky on the Eurovision stage in Rotterdam, but saw her journey ending due to the coronavirus outbreak as the contest was cancelled .