Eneda Tarifa
Eneda Tarifa is a multi-talented artist who has gained fame in her home country Albania and neighbouring Kosovo as an actress, TV host, songwriter, director, and of course as a singer. In December 2015 she won Festivali i Këngës, the most prestigious music festival in Albania, gaining the right to represent her country in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest. In Stockholm she will sing Fairytale, a song written by Olsa Toqi.Eneda Tarifa was born in Tirana on 30 March, 1982. Since she was six years old she has been demonstrating her talent for music by taking part in different activities at school. Later she studied philosophy and sociology.
In the course of her career as an artist, she has taken part in various concerts and charity events since 2004. One of her greatest successes came already in 2010 when she won the first prize in the popular Top Fest competition with the song Me veten, which became a hit in Albania and Kosovo. In 2011 Eneda started working as an actress and TV host of Portokalli, one of the most well-known evening shows in Albania.
Eneda has written the lyrics to several songs for children and she has been a member of several juries for young talents. She has also demonstrated her skills as a director, together with one of Albania's most acclaimed stars Arjan Culiqi. Together they created the comical soap opera Piruet which was a huge success.
In December 2015 Eneda Tarifa won Festivali i Këngës with Përrallë, written by Olsa Toqi. The song will be presented in its English version, Fairytale, in the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest in Stockholm.
Things you should know about Eneda Tarifa
What are the three most interesting aspects about your entry?
1. Way of singing which is a bit special (with exclamations) that makes the song sound different
2. The beat which is sensual, well mixed with light Albanian motives
3. Backing vocals are important in the song which gives a populist element to the whole
What are the three most impressive facts about you?
1. I was not sure if I would sing the song because it was a challenge for me
2. I gave up participating in different song contests. I returned after six years
3. I studied philosophy and sociology. My everyday job is TV host. I'm a mum of a three years old daughter
Do you have a (lucky) routine before you go on stage?
I drink water with lime and I do warm up exercises for my voice 20 minutes before going on stage.
Why is the Eurovision Song Contest important for you?
It is important because the audience is the biggest ever for my career. The show is fantastic, well organised and I was warned by other artists that have participated before that this was a very impressive organisation, an experience that you should try at least once in your life if you are a singer. Last but not least, to represent my country, Albania, which I love.
