Last night, the Albanian national selection Festivali i Këngës took place, where 14 artists performed their entries in the hopes of not only winning the contest, but also to represent Albania at Eurovision in 2019.
Over the previous two nights, a total of 22 artists performed their entries during two semi-finals. In the first semi-final, the participants performed their entries alongside the RTSH Symphonic Orchestra, while on the second night, the participants then performed their entries in a way that more reflects how they would be presented at Eurovision. From the semi-finals, only 14 acts were chosen to continue to the final.
Here is the full line up:
- Alar Band – Dashuria nuk mjafton
- Artemisa Mithi & Febi Shkurti – Dua te besoj
- Bojken Lako – Jeto jetën
- Dilan Reka – Karma
- Eliza Hoxha – Peng
- Elton Deda – Qetësisht
- Eranda Libohova – 100 pyetje
- Gjergj Leka – Besoj
- Jonida Maliqi – Ktheju tokës
- Klinti Çollaku – Me jetë
- Lidia Lufi – Rrëfehem
- Marko Strazimiri & Imbro – Leyla
- Orgesa Zaimi – Hije
- Soni Malaj – Më e fortë
The results of the jury placed Jonida Maliqi in the top position with her song Ktheju tokës with Lidia Lufi and Eranda Libohova finishing in second and third place respectively.
This isn’t Jonida’s first experience at Festivali i Këngës, having first participated in the contest in 1995 when she was only 13 years old. She has since participated, with one of her more notable appearances being in 2004 where she finished in third place. She also hosted the competition back in 2010.
Jonida Maliqi will be representing Albania at Eurovision 2019 with the song Ktheju tokës (Return to the Land) with music and lyrics by Eriona Rushiti. Watch the national final performance below: