Welcome to the national final of Albania. 51st Festivali i Kenges kicks off tonight and in few hours we will know the representative of the country in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest. Only 17 songs will appear tonight as Ani Çuedari and “Më ler një ëndërr” disqualified as the song has been previously released (prior to September 1st) – and they discovered it now!
WATCH THE SHOW ONLINE (RTSH)
WATCH THE SHOW ONLINE (EUROVISION.TV)
POLL: ALBANIA DECIDES 2013
PARTICIPANTS
Ardian Bujupi – I Çmendur Pas Teje: this is the first song tonight and the performance is simply amazing. Great opener for the show and it seems to be a hot favourite (as reports claim). It depends on the juries now to send this one to Malmoe.
Valon Shehu – Nuk Do Të Ndal: the second song is a rock ballad. The performance is very good and the vocal skills of the singer are quite good. Everything seems perfect for this one but it’s totally out of Eurovision style in general (you never know though).
Merland Kademi – Këtu Fillon Parajsa: truly a great song and an amazing performance it could do well in the Eurovision Song Contest but it seems that this is not going to be the preference of the jury tonight.
Kelly – Ylli Im Polar: if the song was different then this performer should have been selected directly to represent Albania in the national final (although I disagree with the outfit and the style in general). From semifinal to the final, Kelly is much much better tonight.
Rezarta Smaja – Ti…: a powerful ballad with a great vocalist and a dreadful dress. This can do well but please don’t let the fashion police to disqualify her from Malmoe.
Kejsi Tola – S’jemi Më Atje: This is one more favourite tonight. The song is simply great and Kejsi is better than ever. I would love to see that in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013.
LNYX – Si Ty Askush: this is an electro rock ballad? hmm in Albanian version. Interesting proposal but the song is weak alongside with their awful vocal performance that is.
Hersi Matmuja – Kush Ta Dha Këtë Emër: totally average song but I have to admit the vocals are great. This one doesn’t stand a chance in winning tonight.
Rosela Gjylbegu – Dëshirë: this is the fifth time this artist participates in Festivali i Kenges and once again the song is awful. I truly wonder sometimes whom does she connects with and she always enters up with a trash song there
Flaka Krelani – Labirint i zemrës: under a new title instead “Tek Ti Në Shpirt” this is one of the good performances tonight. Not that this one will win but for sure it’s impressive (or at least I became too Albanian tonight)
Vesa Luma – S’jam Perfekt: Florent Boshnjaku composer of Suus (Albania 2012) is definitely not the man of the show tonight. The weak vocal performance of the song is something that should worry him. In any case the song is very weak in comparison with his 2012 Eurovision entry.
Anjeza Shahini – Love: everyone seems to love this one in the studio but I definitely feel it’s not the best for Anjeza. The song is not that good although Anjeza is perfectly OK with the vocal performance.
Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko – Identiet: not a bad song or performance but personally I am exhausted after so much Albanian sounds tonight. Somehow confused in between the tunes. This duo is not bad at all (or I am becoming flurry)
Bojken Lako – Lotë? Jetë? Dashuri?: the meaning of this song is “boredom boredom and again boredom” very average song with nothing to show to the viewers especially the international ones (oh Dana I miss you).
Selami Kolonja – Ku Je?: problems in the streaming had to skip this one
Dr.Flori & Fabi – Jam Ti!: this is not suitable for Eurovision in any way. The act and the performance on stage is simply hidious.
Xhejn & Enxhi Kumrija – Arti I Një Fundi: well a nice song to finish tonight (thank God). The performance is very interesting, ti would be nice to have such a surprise in the results.
Ani Çuedari – Më Ler Një Ëndërr disqualified
RESULTS
Albania has made a choice. Since they joined in 2004 they’ve always chosen their Eurovision Song Contest entry in December through their national competition Festivali i Këngës. This year’s final has just ended producing the following winners: Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko with the song Identiet!
Adrian Lulgjuraj & Bledar Sejko – Identitet – 74 pts
Anjeza Shahini – Love – 62 pts
Hersi Matmuja – Kush ta dha këtë emër – 48 pts
Kejsi Tola – S’jemi më atje – 42 pts
Merland Kademi – Këtu fillon parajsa – 40 pts
Flaka Krelani – Tek ti në shpirt – 39 pts
Rezarta Smaja – Ti? – 36 pts
Bojken Lako – Lotë? Jetë? Dashuri? – 27 pts
Dr.Flori & Fabi – Jam ti – 11 pts
Rosela Gjylbegu – Dëshirë – 11 pts
Ardian Bujupi – I çmendur për ty – 10 pts
Kelly – Ylli im polar – 3 pts
Xheni & Enxhi Kumrija – Arti i një fundi – 2 pts
LNYX – Si ty askush – 1 pts
Valon Shehu – Nuk do të ndal – 0 pts
Vesa Luma – S’jam perfekt – 0 pts
Selami Kolonja – Ku je? – 0 pts
ARTIST INFORMATION