RTSH, the Albanian broadcaster, have this evening revealed the names of 22 people who will be competing in the 56th edition of Festivali i Këngës. The Grand final is due to take place on Saturday 23rd December.
Albania is traditionally the first of the national finals to take place in the calendar, and it takes place during the Christmas holidays. Semi final 1 is on Thursday 21st December and Semi final 2 is on Friday 22nd December.
In total, over 70 singers applied for this years edition of the show, and this format has been used to select Albania’s participant for Eurovision since 2003.
The participants for Festivali i Këngës 56 are as follows (please note, songs to be revealed at a later date by RTSH):
- Artemisa Mithi
- Bojken Lako
- David & Genc Tukiqi
- Denisa Gjezo
- Elton Deda
- Ergi Bregu-Latifllari
- Eugent Bushpepa
- Evans Rama
- AKULLTHYESIT
- NA & Festina Mezini
- LYNX
- Inest Neziri
- LORELA
- Manjola Nallbani
- Mariza Ikonomi
- Orgesa Zaimi
- Redon Makashi
- Rezarta Smaja & Luis Ejlli
- Stefi dhe Endri Prifti
- Tahir Gjoci
- Voltan Prodani
- Xhesika Polo
There are 2 returning entries in this 22 strong line up. LYNX competed in the 2014 edition of Festivali i Këngës with the song Princesha. They came 15th in the national final. The other returning act is Rezarta Smaja. In 2015 she competed in Festivali i Këngës with the song Më rrëmbe and placed 7th in the national final for that year.