It’s one of the most interesting and diverse music festivals of Europe and it is being held for almost 60 years! Off course we are talking about “Festivali i Këngës” – One of the Albanian music festivals.
Since 2004, it is the exclusive way for Albania to choose an act for Eurovision
Until the end of the month, we probably will have the official list of artists and the name of their songs.
Meanwhile, we’ve been collecting hints, rumors and suspicions from the Albanian media (the main source was the Albanian Instagram page Eurobooth) about potential participants.
1. Genta Ismajli
Gentiana Ismajli is a 36 years old Kosovo-Albanian singer, songwriter, and actress.
Ismajli sings mostly commercial pop songs, similar to other Balkan pop. At the beginning of her music career, she used to sing in English. She is active since 2004 and even has participated in the music festival “Kënga Magjike” where she won the first place in 2005:
Meanwhile, you can listen to her latest song:
2. Inis Neziri
Inis Neziri is 19 years old Albanian soul- pop singer. She may be familiar for you, if you’ve watched the Albanian national selection in 2018 where she performed the stunning ballad “Piedestal”:
However, Inis has participated in another world wide music festivals:
In 2018, she won the first place in the Romanian festival “Golden Stag Festival 2018” :
Moreover, the singer won the first place in the “New Wave” festival that was held in Russia:
3. Besa Kokëdhima
Besa Kokëdhima is 34 years old. She is one of the most recognized and awarded Albanian performers. Besa is known for being a contestant and award winner in countless Music Festivals and shows in Albania, Kosovo and North Macedonia. She has released 5 solo albums so far.
Nowadays, she is a judge on the Albanian version of “The Voice”
Besa isn’t a foreign for the Eurovision fandom:
In 2009, she participated in the national selection of Romania – “Selecţia Naţională 2009” with the song “Nothing Gonna Change“:
In 2013, she won the first place in the music festival “Kënga Magjike 2013“:
In 2008, she won the first place in “Top Fest 2008“:
4. Erik Lloshi
Erik Lloshi is 31 years old Albanian singer. In 2009, he collaborated with the singer Mariza Ikonomi (that has tried to represent Albania in Eurovision several times). They performed together “E di” which at the Balkan Music Awards 2009 was nominated for Albania’s best music video in 2009.
Erik is well known as a participant in “Kënga Magjike“. He participated in this festival in the years: 2013, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019.
5. Xhesika Polo
Xhesika Polo is 23 years old Albanian singer. She auditioned for Season 1 of “X Factor Albania“and made it all the way to the final as part of the Girls category mentored by Juliana Pasha (who represented Albania at Eurovision 2010) . Xhesika finished in 3rd place in the final.
In 2018, the singer attempted to represent Albania at Eurovision 2018. Therefore, she participated in “Festivali i Këngës 56“. The singer performed the song “Përjetë” but failed to qualify for the final
Xhesika is well known as a participant in “Kënga Magjike” She participated in the festival in the years 2012-2015 and 2017.
6. Mirud
Mirud is 26 years old singer and songwriter. He was born in Kosovo, but in 1999 his family immigrated to Albania (due to the war).
Mirud started his career with publishing covers on YouTube. After being discovered by Arthur Pingrey Who was also nominated three times for the Oscars. Arthur and MIRUD worked on a song called “Puzzle” which reached at number 43 in the U.S.
You may recognize him as a participant in “Festivali i Këngës” with the song “Nënë“.
Mirud failed to qualify for the final, and therefore didn’t get his chance to represent Albania.
Nowadays, he is working on a album with Americans producers.
Lately, Mirud collaborated with Xhesika Polo covering his song “Nënë“:
7. Algert Sala
Algert is an Albanian singer who is well known for his participation in “Kënga Magjike“.
He took part in the festival in the years 2016-2018.
8. Nita Latifi
Nita is an Albanian pop singer and song writer. In 2019, she released several music videos:
9. Arjeta Paulshaj
Arjeta is an Albanian singer, fashion designer and painter. She rose to fame following her participation in the 6th season of “The Voice” of Albania:
In addition, she participated in “Kënga Magjike 2017″ performing “SIMBIOZE”
10. Anxhela Peristeri
Anxhela Peristeri is 34 years old well-known Albanian singer and songwriter. She is the winner of the first edition of “Your Face Sounds Familiar“, the winner of the second place in “C’est la Vie” and the winner of “Kënga Magjike 2017“
Meanwhile you can listen to her new song “Dashni“:
11. Klint Çollaku
Klint Çollaku is an Albania singer who rose to fame following his participation in the 6th season of “The Voice” of Albania .
He may be familiar for those of you who watched “Festivali i Këngës 57” where he performed the song “Me jetë“:
11. Rosela Gjylbegu
Rosela Gjylbegu is 33 years old Albanian singer. She is well known for her participation in “Festivali i Këngës” in the years 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009 which means she attempted to represent Albania in Eurovision.
The singer has also participated in the music festival “Kënga Magjike“.
You can listen to her song in 2016:
Who will be the artists that get the opportunity to represent Albania at Eurovision 2021? We will find out later on.
Stay tuned for all the news about Eurovision 2021. You can find all the relevant information at out Eurovision 2021 homepage:
