Eugent Bushpepa wins Festivali I Kënges!

Over the last two nights, we’ve seen 22 acts take to the stage all in the hopes of being the last one standing, and go on to represent Albania at Eurovision 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal. Festivali I Kënges is always one of the first national finals we get to witness, and now after two semi-finals and a final, we have a winner!

The competition took place inside the Palace of Congresses in Tirana, where a group of diverse acts performed their entries, from the 16 year old Inis Neziri, to Bojken Lako and the fan hyped Eugent Bushpepa. After the broadcast of both semi-finals, we didn’t find out who would be competing in the final, but here is the final line-up:

1. Redon Makashi – Ekziston

2. NA & Festina Mejzini – Tjetër jetë

3. Voltan Prodani – E pamundur

4. Denisa Gjezo – Zemër ku je

5. Tiri Gjoci – Orë e ndalur

6. Orgesa Zaimi – Ngrije zërin

7. Rezarta Smaja & Luiz Ejlli – Ra një yll

8. Artemisa Mithi – E dua botën

9. Manjola Nallbani – I njëjti qiell

10. Inis Neziri – Piedestal

11. Bojken Lako – Sytë e shpirtit

12. Mariza Ikonomi – Unë

13. Eugent Bushpepa – Mall

14. Elton Deda – Fjalët

The winner of the show was decided solely through jury voting, and the jury decided that Eugent Bushpepa would be the winner of Festivali I Kënges 56 with the song Mall. Coming in at second place is Redon Makashi and in third Inis Neziri.

Currently the winning song is over three minutes, and knowing Albania, there will very likely be a revamp. Whether the song will be changed into English remains to be seen, but also likely. Watch the winning entry below: