Live: Festivali i Këngës semifinal one

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Tonight, Albanian broadcaster RTSH will broadcast the first semifinal of the 50th Festivali i Këngës, live from Tirana, Albania at 20:30CET.

Tonight’s show will be hosted by Enkeleida Zeko, Hygerta Sako and Nik Xhelilaj. A total of ten acts will qualify from 14 acts tonight. The Jury members will be deciding the outcome tonight and they are Aldo Shllaku, Edi Xhani, Ndriçim Xhepa, Redon Makashi, Zana Shuteriqi and Zhani Ciko.

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Good evening Europe! And welcome to Albania’s national selection for Eurovision Song Contest 2012. This is the first semi-final of Festivali i Këngës. This year, RTSH celebrates the 50th year of Festivali i Këngës. Tonight and the 3 upcoming nights, RTSH promises an amazing show! The show is going to be hosted by the famous actor Nik Xhelilaj, 1995 Miss Albania Hygerta Sako and Enkeleida Zako. There will be fourteen competing songs tonight, where eight of them will be qualifying to the Grand Final.

The show will start at 20:30 (Central European Time). You may watch the show here.

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The show has just started! A choir of children has left the stage, and now the host Nik Xhelilaj is welcoming everybody to the 50th Festivali i Këngës. He is currently explaining the format of the show. He is also introducing the other hosts Hygerta Sako and Enkeleida Zeko.

The hosts are introducing the professional jury, plus they are explaining that the winner of Festivali i Këngës will be representing Albania in the Eurovsion Song Contest 2012, which will be held in Baku, Azerbaijan.

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01. Gerta Mahmutaj – Pyete Zemrën
The first song opening the show is called “Pyete Zemrën” (Ask Your Heart), which is written by Rozana Radi and composed by Flamur Shehu. The song is performed by Gerta Mahmutaj. She appears on stage with a white dress accompanied with stars in the LED screen surrounding her. A nice and pleasant start to the show!

Right now, there is a video airing, taking us back Festivali i Këngës in 1961!!!

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TobsonHelsinki Tobias Larsson
Not a bad opening song. Modern, catchy and with a fair share of drama. #festivali50

ESCinsight Eurovision Insight
Gerta Mahmutaj opens FiK with a pretty modern, upbeat number. How valiant of her to perform after her hair-crimping accident! #festivali50

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02. Entela Zhula – “Ndjehem Bosh”
The second song of the evening is called “Ndjehem Bosh” (I feel empty) performed by Entela Zhula. Entela has participated in Festivali i Këngës three times, but has failed everytime. She is wearing a black dress for her performance tonight. The song seems to be a ballad, with jazz rhythms. The song is fine, but a little bit boring. Will she get through the final? We will find out very soon…

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03. Bashkim Alibali – “Këngën time merr vehtë”
Bashkim Alibaba is next on stage. His song is called “Merr me vete këngën tonë” (Take our song). The song is written by Jorgo Papingji, while it has been produced by himself. He appears on stage tonight in a black and red suit. He has come back in Festivali i Këngës once again after many years. His song is quiet catchy, but his singing is “awful”. Even though he is a professional singer, the way he sings the songs, basically ruins it. The song has folk rhythms and talks about Albania. Is it enough to qualify to the final? We will see that very soon.

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TobsonHelsinki Tobias Larsson
I feel it is not on the cards that Mister Alibali on stage here would secure a top ten for Albania in Baku. #festivali50

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04. Samanta Karavello – “Zgjomë një tjetër ëndërr”
The fourth act on stage is Samanta Karavello, her song is called “Zgjomë një tjetër ëndërr” (Wake me up in another dream). She bids to represent Albania in Eurovision together with Elton Deda. The song is written by Pandi Laço who won this festival 4 times a writter, where three of them represented Albania in Eurovision. The music is composed by Gent Mytaraj. Samantha is wearing a tide-blue dress. Her song is a strong ballad. The song talks about a sad love story. The song is fine, but is it enough to qualify to the final or represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest? We will see that…

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ESCinsight Eurovision Insight
Samanta Karavello is up with a slow, dramatic ballad, quite beautiful, but it stops quite suddenly at the end. Not bad! #festivali50

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05. Endri and Stefi Prifti – “Mbi çdo Iluzion”
The fifth act on stage are the Prifti Brothers. They presenting themselves with “Mbi çdo iluzion” (Upon every illusion) which is written by Timo Flloko and composed by Voltan Prodani. Endri and Stefi has been on the stage of Festivali i Këngës for years. Tonight they appear on stage in their smart looking black suits. The song featured rock rhythms but it is a bit boring for Eurovision. Are they good enough to qualify to the finals? We’ll soon find out!

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Now, there is a short clip from the first winning composer of Festivali i Këngës Abdulla Grimci. He is now 92 years old and is currently living in Italy.He explains how is was difficult writing and composing a song for Festivali i Këngës because of the Communist rule. He explains how the festival was sued for only one word used in another dialect.

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06. Rona Nishliu – “Suus”
The sixth act on stage is Rona Nishliu. She is the only Albanian singer from Kosovo. Her song is called “Suus” (from the latin word which means Personal). The song is written by Rona herself while it has been composed by Florent Boshnjaku, a famous Albanian-Kosovan composer. The song is a very strong ballad. She follows the song perfectly. She sings the song with her heart and so far, it’s the best song we have seen. The song is about her personal issues and it is written in the Gheg dialect. Will Rona qualify to the final? We are going to find that out very soon…

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el_naif Juan Miguel Delgado
#Festivali50 Rona Nishliu is one of the best artists! And from Kosovo!

OvertEccentric Patrick Padilla
Rona Nishliu’s song was fantastic. “Suus” was beautiful and powerful. #Festivali50

Gerly_95 Gerly Annok
@escdaily My favourites at the moment Bashkim Alibali and Samanta Karavello. I hope those will pass to Final. Hoping for new amazing songs

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07. Rudina Delia – “Më Kërko”
The seventh act on stage is Rudina Delia with “Më kërko” (Search for me). The song is composed by Luan Zhegu while the lyrics have been written by Rudina herself. She appears with a long violet dress with fake diamond stones. The song is a ballad, again … again. The song talks about love. She sings it quite good. Will Rudina qualify to the final? Let’s see..

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joanaplucas Joana Martins
#Festivali50 This song: Not bad just nothing special

ronkbh ronkbh
not a bad song at all #Festivali50

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08. Marjeta Billo – “Vlen sa një jetë”
The eighth song on stage is “Vlen sa një jetë” (Worths like a life) performed by Marjeta Billo. The song is composed by Klodian Qafoku and written by Arben Duka. Marjeta has been participating in Festivali i Këngës three times, after her sucess on “Ethet” (Albanian version of Pop Idol), where she finished 4th. She is surrounded with very beautiful LED animations. The song is a pop ballad, with very cute rhythms. The song is “fine” but is it enough to qualify to the final or represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest? Keep your fingers crossed.

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adrijessiejlove Adrián Valiente
This song would be great for Eurovision #Festivali50

ESCDaily.com
Update: There will be 10 songs going to the final tonight – instead of 8 – there will be 20 songs in the final! #Festivali50

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09. Claudio La Regina – “Kur të Pasha”
The ninth act on stage is the Arbresh singer Claudio La Regina. His song is called “Kur të pasha” (When I saw you). He is wearing a white suit. The song is a serenate dedicated to love. The song is written in Arbreshë dialect (Albanians in Italy), and has a very cute story behind. The song is good, but is it good enough to represent Albania in Eurovision? Erm… maybe not.. So.. will Claudio get through to the final? Let’s see…

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ESCinsight Eurovision Insight
Claudio La Regina is rockin’ the reverse-tuxedo look (or, at least, attempting to). Song is pleasant enough! #festivali50

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10. Hercina Matmuja – “Aty ku më le”
The tenth act tonight is Hercina Matmuja with “Aty ku më le” (There, where you left me). Hercina is a 20 year-old singer who currently studies in Rome, Italy. The song is very good. Not the best we have seen so far tonight but it is quite a good attempt. It is a ballad, like most of the songs we’ve heard tonight. The song talks about a love story. Will Hercina qualify to the final after her third attempt? Let’s see…

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11. Orinda Huta – “Dorëzohem”
The eleventh act on stage is the Albanian sensation Orinda Huta. Tonight she presents herself with “Dorëzohem” (I Surrender). This is Orinda’s first time in Festivali i Këngës. The song is a ballad talking about a sad love story. Orinda’s voice is not very good as she is ill tonight. She isn’t able to reach the high notes, leaving the backing vocalists take over the song. Will Orinda qualify to the final? Let’s see…

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12. Altin Goci – “Kthehem prapë”
The twelfth act tonight is Altin Goci. Tonight he presents himself with a Pop/Rock song “Kthehem prapë” (I’ll be back again). A few weeks ago, ESCDaily.com team had the opportunity to talk to Altin, you can read the interview “here”. Altin’s song is a catchy song, but a little bit boring. The story of the song is quite sweet and it’s a rhythmic song after many slower tempo-ed songs… But will Altin make it to the finals? Let’s see.

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13. Elton Deda – “Kristal”
The thirteenth song tonight is “Kristal” (Crystall) performed by Elton Deda. Elton bids to represent Albania in Eurovision, and he is currently a big favourite. Elton is an Albanian singer and he is currently a judge/mentor in The Voice of Albania. The song is written by Sokol Marsi and composed by Elton himself. The song contains rock rhythms and it is a very catchy song. Elton seems to follow it very well. But is it enough to represent Albania in Eurovision? Let’s see…

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14. Evans Rama – “Ti nuk mundesh”
The last song tonight is performed by Evans Rama. The song is called “Ti Nuk Mundesh” (You Can’t). The song is written by I. Hoxha and composed by Fabian Asllani. The song is a ballad. It talks about a sad love story. He sings the song very well, and there is a technical problem on the song.
They are restarting the song because of a technical difficulty. Is this song good enough to qualify to the final? Let’s see…

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Stay tuned for the results on ESCDaily.com!

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Dear viewers, we have the ten finalists.

  1. Gerta Mahmutaj
  2. Bashkim Alibali
  3. Endri and Stefi Prifti
  4. Samanta Karavello
  5. Rudina Delia
  6. Rona Nishliu
  7. Marjeta Billo
  8. Hercina Matmuja
  9. Altin Goci
  10. Elton Deda

Non-qualifiers:

  1. Entela Zhula
  2. Claudio La Regina
  3. Orinda Huta
  4. Evans Rama