Albania: Ronela Hajati selected for Eurovision 2022

Thursday, 30 December 2021

• Albania has decided! Ronela Hajati won the 60th edition of Festivali i Këngës and will be flying the flag at Eurovision 2022 in Turin, Italy next May.

  Just before the dawn of the new year, Albania has selecte their Eurovision 2022 hopeful. This evening the country's iconic music event, the final show of Festivali i Këngës took place for the 60th time in its history at  Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana, selecting as the nation's next Eurovision representative, Ronela Hajati.

  The show saw 17 competing acts and was hosted by Ardit Gjebrea accompanied by Jonida Maliqi, Xhemi Shehu, Klevi Kadilli and Isli Islami. The outcome of the final was determine exclusively by a jury formed by Anxhela Peristeri, Agim Doçi, Anxhela Faber, Osman Mula, Rozana Radi, Olsa Toqi and Olti Curri.

  The 17 contestants that took the stage were: 

   

  1.Kelly – “Meteor”

  2. Mirud – “Për dreq” (Damn)

  3. Urban Band – “Padrejtësi” (Injustice)

  4. Evi Reci – “Me duaj” (Love me)

  5. Kastro Zizo – “Kujë” (Mourn)

  6.Ester Zahiri – “Hiena” (Hyena) 

  7. Eldis Arrnjeti – “Refuzoj” (I refuse) 

  8. Olimpia Smajlaj – “Dua” (I want)
  

  9. Shega – “Një” (One)

  10. Gjergj Kaçinari – “Në ëndërr mbete ti” (You remain in dreams)

  11. Denis Skura – “Pse nuk flet, mama?” (Why don’t you talk, mum?)

  12. Endri & Stefi – “Triumfi i jetës” (The triumph of life)

  13. Janex – “Deluzional” (Delusional)

  14. Ronela Hajati – “Sekret” (Secret)

  15. Sajmir Çili – “Nën maskë” (Under the mask)

  16. Rezarta Smaja – “E jemja nuse” (The bride of mine)

  17. Alban Ramosaj – “Theje” (Crush)

   

  The result that was determined 100% by the jury placed  Eldis Arrnjeti with “Refuzoj”  and  Rezarta Smaja with “E jemja nuse” third while it awarded Alban Ramosaj with “Theje” with the 2nd lplace. However, the jury declared as big winner of Festivali i Këngës 60 declared Ronela Hajati, who performed Sekret.

  Like every year some addtional awards was given out. The Symphonic orchestra's Award was won by the duo Endri & Stefi and their song “Triumfi i jetës” while the Tirana City's Award was given to  Rezarta Smaja  and the song“E jemja nuse” .

   

  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