Anxhela Peristeri has won the 59th edition of Festivali i Këngës and will perform the song ‘Karma’ at the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam.
The Albanian national final took place from Monday 21 December to Wednesday 23 December in the outdoor venue 'Sheshi Italia' in Tirana. Two semi-final shows were held ahead of the live final which once again was used to determine the Albanian Eurovision entry.
There were 18 participating acts who made it into the final. The professional jury consisted of Luan Zhegu (composer, singer), Kastriot Çaushi (actor), Zana Shuteriqi (musicologist, composer), Vasil Tole (composer), Preç Zogaj (poet, writer), Ramë Lahaj (tenor) and Andri Xhahu (spokesperson and commentator for Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest). They were in charge of selecting the Albanian entry for Eurovision and in the end they opted for the song Karma.
About Anxhela
Anxhela Peristeri's first participation in Festivali i Këngës was in 2001. For years she has been singing in concerts and performing at festivals, including Kënga Magjike, Çmimet Kult, Netët e Klipit and YFSF, where she has won various awards. Anxhela has many songs to her credit as a songwriter too. She released her music album Anxhela për ju in 2004 and in 2018, she released her first recital concert, Reflektim.
The final show
This was the running order of the 18 acts in the final:
Sardi Strugaj - Kam me t'ba me kajt (2nd)
Xhesika Polo - Më mbron
Orgesa Zaimi - Valixhja e kujtimeve
Wendi Mancaku - Vesi i shpirti tim
Era Rusi - Zjarri im
Gjergj Kaçinari - Më jep jetë
Rosela Gjylbegu - Vashëzo
Devis Xherahu - Peng
Mirud - Nëse vdes
Gigliola Haveriku - E lirë
Viktor Tahiraj - Nënë
Kamela Islamaj - Kujtimet s'kanë formë
Florent Abrashi - Vajzë
Inis Neziri - Pendesë
Evi Reçi - Tjerr
Anxhela Peristeri - Karma (winner)
Festina Mejzini - Kush je ti dashuri (3rd)
Kastro Zizo - Vallja e jetës
After the finalists performed, the audience was treated with some guest performances, including Eugent Bushpepa, who won Festivali i Këngës three years ago and represented Albania in Lisbon in 2018. Then, the hosts Jonida Vokshi and Blendi Salaj announced the top three: 3rd place went to Festina Mejzini, the runner-up was Sardi Strugaj and first place was Anxhela Peristeri.
Missed the final show? You can rewatch it on RTSH's YouTube channel.
Albania's best result in the Eurovision Song Contest so far is when Rona Nishliu reached 5th place in 2012 with her song Suus.
What do you think of Albania's choice, Karma, in the comments below!
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Posted 22 December 2020 at 12:44 CET
We already have 22 confirmed participants for Eurovision 2021. On Wednesday 23 December the Albanian participant will be chosen during the final of the 59th edition of Festivali i Këngës.
As has become tradition, Albania has kicked off the national selection season with their show Festivali I Këngës which Eurovision fans in a loving way started calling FiK-mas (as the Albanian show always takes place around Christmas). On Monday 21 December, all the participants performed their songs on stage which has, due to the circumstances, been placed in the patio of the National Archaeological Museum in Tirana. The finalists for the final of Festivali i Këngës have been announced:
Anxhela Peristeri - Karma
Devis Xherahu - Peng
Era Rusi - Zjarri im
Evi Reçi - Tjerr
Festina Mejzini - Kush je ti dashuri
Florent Abrashi - Vajzë
Giliola Haveriku - E lirë
Gjergj Kaçinari - Më jep jetë
Inis Neziri - Pendesë
Kamela Islamaj - Kujtimet s’kanë formë
Kastro ZIZO - Vallja e jetës
MIRUD - Nëse vdes
Orgesa Zaimi - Valixhja e kujtimeve
Rosela Gjylbegu - Vashëzo
Sardi Strugaj - Ka me t’ba me kajt
Viktor Tahiraj - Nënë
Wendi Mancaku - Ves I shpirtit im
Xhesika Polo - Më mbron
Seven acts did not make it to the final.
Franc Koruni - E morën botën
Klint Çollaku - Do t’ja dal
Fatos Shabani - Ty
Enxhi Nasufi - Njësoj
Erik Lloshi - Jo
Agim Poshka - Vendi im
Stefan Marena - Meteor
On Tuesday 22 December, you will be able to enjoy all 25 songs again, this time as acoustic/unplugged versions.
You can rewatch the first show on RTSH's YouTube channel.
