Albania: National Final to kick off on Christmas Eve

Traditionally, Albania is always one of the first countries to select their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the annual Festivali i Këngës serving as the national final. This year will be no exception: starting on Christmas eve, the act to represent the Balkan country will be selected during four shows on four consecutive days. First of all, on the 24th of December, 19 youngsters new to show business will get their chance to present one song each to the public. In the end, a jury will pick one winner to go forward to the final. On the two following two days, the remaining 19 acts, all of which are directly qualified for the final, will be presented in different versions. On December 27th, the winner and thus the Albanian representative in the 2010 Eurovision Song Contest will be picked by an expert jury out of the remaining 20 acts.

The participants of the first show of new talents, one of which will proceed to the final, are as follows:

• Stefan Marena - Retë S'Na Ndajnë
• Brikena Asa - Sa Dua Unë
• Onanta Spahiu - Dashurisë I Erdhi Vjeshta
• Jona Koleci - Stinë Dashurie
• Nazmie Selimi - Beso Akoma
• Goldi Halili - Tirana Broadway
• Iris Hoxha - Zërin Tim Ta Ndjesh
• Supernova - Gabimi
• Ardita Tusha - Je Larg
• Selina Prelaj - Të Dy E Dimë
• Vitmar Basha - Një Tjetër Jetë
• Jorida Zaimaj - Për Ty
• Lutus - Botë Pa Sy
• Kelly - Ajo
• Dorina Toçi - Një Fjalë Të Ngrohtë
• Borana Kalemi - Ti
• Amanda Ujkaj & Violeta Lulgjuraj - Vitet Më Të Bukura
• Yje Të Panjohur - Si Dy Të Huaj
• Çlirim Leka - Nëna Ime 

The following 19 artists are directly qualified for the final of Festivali i Këngës:

• Anjeza Shahini - Pasqyra E Vetës
• Teuta Kurti - Mall I Pashuar
• Claudio La Regina - Ave Maria
• Kamela Islami - Kalimtar
• Bojken Lako & Banda Adriatica - Love Love Love
• Besa Kokëdhima - Kalorës I Dashurisë
• Dorina Garuci - Sekreti I Dashurisë
• Juliana Pasha - Nuk Di Përse
• Denisa Macaj - [Song title yet to be announced]
• Erga Halilaj - Party
• Era Rusi - U Dashuruam
• Eliza Hoxha - Në Mes
• Flaka Krelani - Lë Të Bëhet
• Mariza Ikonomi - Vazhdoj Këndoj
• Erti Hizmo & Lindita Halimi - Nuk Të Dorezohem
• Stefi & Endrri Prifti - Still Not Sure
• Guximtar Rushani - Gëzuar
• Rovena Dilo - Përtej Kohës
• Kejsi Tola - Pse Ekzistojmë

All shows will be broadcast live on the Albanian public channel TVSH, which can be received via satellite on Eutelsat W2 (16°E). Stay with us to get to know more about the Albanian national final in the upcoming weeks!