Tonight the 60th edition of Festivali i Këngës got under way. The theme of tonight was “Contestants Night”. In the show all 20 participating artists sang the song they hope to win Festivali i Këngës with. The winner of Festivali i Këngës 60 will go on to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin Italy. 14 established artists will take part in this year’s competition alongside 6 new artists. RTSH confirmed on Instagram that three new artists will make it to the final night on Wednesday 29th December and three will be eliminated.
Tonight’s Acts
| Order | Artist | Song Title | Result |
| 1 | Kelly | “Meteor” | Prequalified |
| 2 | Mirud | “Për dreq” | Prequalified |
| 3 | Urban Band | “Padrejtësi” | Prequalified |
| 4 | Evi Reçi | “Më duaj” | Prequalified |
| 5 | Kastro Zizo | “Kujë” | Prequalified |
| 6 | Ester Zahiri | “Hiena” | Qualified |
| 7 | Viola Xhemali | “Eja si erë” | Out |
| 8 | Eldis Arrnjeti | “Refuzoj” | Qualified |
| 9 | Kejsi Rustja | “Vallëzoj me ty” | Out |
| 10 | Xhuli Pjetraj | “Baladë” | Out |
| 11 | Olimpia Smajlaj | “Dua” | Qualified |
| 12 | Shega | “Një” | Prequalified |
| 13 | Gjergj Kaçinari | “Në ëndërr mbete ti” | Prequalified |
| 14 | Denis Skura | “Pse nuk flet, mama?” | Prequalified |
| 15 | Endri and Stefi Prifti | “Triumfi i jetës” | Prequalified |
| 16 | Janex | “Deluzional” | Prequalified |
| 17 | Ronela Hajati | “Sekret” | Prequalified |
| 18 | Sajmir Çili | “Nën maskë” | Prequalified |
| 19 | Rezarta Smaja | “E jemja nuse” | Prequalified |
| 20 | Alban Ramosaj | “Theje” | Prequalified |
Host and Interval acts
Tonight’s show was hosted in the Palacio de Congresos. This is different from last year when the show was hosted outdoors at the Plaza Italia due to the Covid-19 pandemic. RTSH called upon Xhemi Shehu, Isli Islami, Kelvi Kadilli and 2019 Albanian Eurovision representative Jonida Maliqi to host tonight’s show. Jonida won Festivali i Këngës with her song “Ktheju Tokes” back in December 2018. Artistic director Elton Deda performed with the orchestra, in a sweet tribute to his father.
Jurors for Festivali i Këngës 60
The jurors for this year’s competition have also been announced on the Eurovision Albania Instagram page. They include 2020 Festivali i Këngës winner Anxhela Peristeri. The other jurors include Agim Doçi, Anxhela Faber, Osman Mula, Rozana Radi, Olsa Toqi and Olti Curri.
Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest
Albania made their debut at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2004 with Anheza Shahini with “Image of You” which managed to place 7th in the final. Since their debut, Albania has participated 17 times and qualified the final 10 times; their best result came in 2012 when Rona Nishliu placed 5th with “Suus”.
In 2021, Anxhela Peristeri represented Albania with “Karma”, which gave the country its third straight grand final qualification and finished in 21st place with 57 points. Coincidentally, it was also their third song in a row to be sung in Albanian.
Did You enjoy tonight’s show? Who would you like to see win Festivali i Këngës? Do you think Albania could have a chance at winning in Turin? As always, please let us know what you think by commenting below. Be sure to follow ‘THAT Eurovision Site’ on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
News Source: RTSH/Eurovision Albania
Photo Source: RTSH
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