Eurovision Song Contest 2019
Country Albania
National selection
Selection processFestivali i Këngës 57
Selection date(s)Semi-finals:
20 December 2018
21 December 2018
Final:
22 December 2018
Selected entrantJonida Maliqi
Selected song"Ktheju tokës"
Selected songwriter(s)Eriona Rushiti
Finals performance
Semi-final resultQualified (9th, 96 points)
Final result17th, 90 points
Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2018 • 2019 • 2020►

Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel, with the song "Ktheju tokës" performed by Jonida Maliqi. Its selected entry was chosen through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2018. To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest fifteen times since its first entry in 2004. Prior to the contest, the song was promoted by a music video and live performances in the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

Albania was drawn to compete in the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest, which took place on 16 May 2019. Performing as number 14, the nation was announced among the top 10 entries of the second semi-final and therefore qualified to compete in the final. In the grand final on 18 May 2019, it performed as number two and placed 17th out of the 26 participating countries, scoring 90 points.

Background

Prior to the 2019 contest, Albania had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest fifteen times since its first entry in 2004.[1] The country's highest placing in the contest, to this point, had been the fifth place, which it achieved in 2012 with the song "Suus" performed by Rona Nishliu.[1] The first entry was performed by Anjeza Shahini with the song "The Image of You" finishing in the seventh place, the nation's second-highest placing to date.[1] During its tenure in the contest, Albania failed to qualify for the final seven times, with both the 2016 and 2017 entries being the most recent non-qualifiers.[2][3] In 2018, the nation qualified for the final with Eugent Bushpepa finishing in 11th place with "Mall".[1]

In September 2018, the national broadcaster of Albania, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), officially confirmed Albania's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel.[4] RTSH broadcasts the contest within Albania and organises the selection process for the nation's entry.[5] Since its debut in 2004, it has consistently selected its entry through the long-standing competition Festivali i Këngës.[5]

Before Eurovision

Festivali i Këngës

Ana Golja co-hosted the 57th edition of Festivali i Këngës

Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) organised the 57th edition of Festivali i Këngës to select their participant for the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.[6] The competition consisted of two semi-finals on 20 and 21 December, respectively, and the grand final on 22 December 2018.[7] The three live shows were hosted by Albanian-Canadian actress Ana Golja and Albanian television presenter Viktor Zhusti.[8] The broadcaster had previously confirmed the nation's participation in the contest in September 2018.[9] It opened a submission period between 16 May and 30 September 2018 for artists and composers to participate in the competition.[10] The list of competing artists and songs was officially revealed on 17 October 2018, being shortlisted to compete in the two semi-finals of the contest.[11][12]

Competing entries

Competing entries
Artist[11] Song[11] Songwriter(s)
Alar Band "Dashuria nuk mjafton"
  • Elgit Doda
  • Klea Huta
Artemisa Mithi and Febi Shkurti "Dua ta besoj" Febi Shkurti
Aurel Thëllimi "Të dua ty"
  • Ardita Bufaj
  • Aurel Thëllimi
Bojken Lako "Jeto jetën"
  • Bojken Lako
  • Xhevdet Bajraj
Bruno Pollogati "Nuk ka stop"
  • Bruno Pollogati
  • Endrit Mumajesi
Dilan Reka "Karma"
  • Gridi Kraja
  • Florian Zykaj
Eliza Hoxha "Peng" Eliza Hoxha
Elona Islamaj "Në këtë botë kalimtarë" Elona Islamaj
Elton Deda "Qetësisht" Elton Deda
Eranda Libohova "100 pyetje"
Gjergj Leka "Një ditë tjetër" Gjergj Leka
Jonida Maliqi "Ktheju tokës" Eriona Rushiti
Kelly "A më ndjen" Kelly
Klinti Çollaku "Me jetë"
  • Endrit Shani
  • Pandi Laço
Klodiana Vata "Mbrëmje e pafund"
  • Edmond Zhulali
  • Jorgo Papingji
Kujtim Prodani "Babela" Kujtim Prodani
Lidia Lufi "Rrëfehem"
  • Enis Mullaj
  • Lidia Lufi
Lorela Sejdini "Vetmi" Lorela Sejdini
Marko Strazimiri and Imbro "Leyla" Adrian Hila
Mirud "Nënë"
Orgesa Zaimi "Hije" Gentian Lako
Soni Malaj "Më e fortë"
Vikena Kamenica[lower-alpha 1] "Natën e mirë" Vikena Kamenica

Shows

Semi-finals

The semi-finals of Festivali i Këngës took place on 20 December and 21 December 2018, and were broadcast live at 20:45 (CET) on the respective dates.[15][16] The first semi-final was closed by Italy's Eurovision Song Contest 2018 representative Ermal Meta.[17][18] In it, the competing artists traditionally performed in cooperation with a symphonic orchestra.[15][19] During the second semi-final, the 22 acts delivered performances of the final versions of their entries as intended to be performed on the stage of the Eurovision Song Contest.[16]

Final

The grand final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 22 December 2018 and was broadcast live at 20:45 (CET).[20][21] On the same day, prior to the live show, 14 songs competed and the winner was determined by the combination of the votes from a nine-member jury panel consisting of Agim Krajka, Arta Marku, Dorian Çene, Haig Zacharian, Olsa Toqi, Pali Kuke, Rona Nishliu, Rovena Dilo and Shpëtim Kushta.[21][22][23] Before the end of the show, Jonida Maliqi emerged as the winner and was simultaneously announced as the Albania's representative for the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.[24][25] The results of the final are summarized in the table below:[24]

Final – 22 December 2018
Draw Artist Song Points Result
1 Marko Strazimiri and Imbro[lower-alpha 2] "Leyla" 142 8
2 Gjergj Leka "Një ditë tjetër" 131 10
3 Elton Deda "Qetësisht" 156 7
4 Eranda Libohova[lower-alpha 3] "100 pyetje" 181 3
5 Jonida Maliqi "Ktheju tokës" 228 1
6 Eliza Hoxha "Peng" 127 11
7 Orgesa Zaimi "Hije" 121 13
8 Bojken Lako "Jeto jetën" 138 9
9 Soni Malaj "Më e fortë" 166 5
10 Artemisa Mithi and Febi Shkurti "Dua ta besoj" 113 14
11 Dilan Reka "Karma" 169 4
12 Alar Band "Dashuria nuk mjafton" 124 12
13 Lidia Lufi "Rrëfehem" 219 2
14 Klinti Çollaku "Me jetë" 163 6
Detailed Jury Votes
Draw Song H. Zacharian A. Marku R. Nishliu A. Krajka P. Kuke O. Toqi R. Dilo Sh. Kushta D. Çene Total
1 "Leyla" 141819151810251211 142
2 "Një ditë tjetër" 201210201114111518 131
3 "Qetësisht" 181717191415171920 156
4 "100 pyetye" 222222251917181125 181
5 "Ktheju tokës" 193030183019303022 228
6 "Peng" 111620121513141016 127
7 "Hije" 101416131312131812 121
8 "Jeto jetën" 121525101616161315 138
9 "Më e forte" 171918172018152517 166
10 "Dua ta besoj" 131312111011191410 113
11 "Karma" 162514142522221714 169
12 "Dashuria nuk mjafton" 151111161220101613 124
13 "Rrëfehem" 302015302230202230 219
14 "Me jetë" 251013221725122019 163

Promotion

A music video for "Ktheju tokës" premiered via the Eurovision Song Contest's official YouTube channel on 10 March 2019.[27] Outside of the music video, Jonida Maliqi travelled to the Banias Nature Reserve at Mount Hermon in Israel to film her introductory postcard.[28] In the postcard, she is seen dressed in 1950s style clothing while walking through the surroundings. Maliqi is subsequently joined by four female dancers on the edge of a waterfall, where they perform an interpretive dance choreography.[29][30] For further promotion, the singer embarked on a small tour with live performances at various Eurovision Song Contest-related events, including in Amsterdam, London and Madrid.[31][32][33]

At Eurovision

Jonida Maliqi during a rehearsal for the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2019 took place at Expo Tel Aviv in Tel Aviv, Israel, and consisted of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 14 and 16 May and the grand final on 18 May 2019.[34] According to the Eurovision rules, all participating countries, except the host nation and the "Big Five", consisting of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom, were required to qualify from one of the two semi-finals to compete for the grand final, although the top 10 countries from the respective semi-final progress to the grand final.[35]

On 28 January 2019, a special allocation draw was held at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art in Tel Aviv that placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in.[36] Albania was placed into the second semi-final, to be held on 16 May, and was scheduled to perform in the second half of the show.[36] Once all the competing songs for the 2019 contest had been released, the running order for the semi-finals was decided by the producers of the contest rather than through another draw, for preventing similar songs being placed next to each other.[37] Albania was set to perform in position 14, following Russia and preceding Norway.[37] At the end of the semi-final, the nation was announced among the top 10 entries and therefore qualified to compete in the grand final.[38]

Voting

Voting during the three shows involved each nation awarding two sets of points from 1–8, 10 and 12: one from their professional jury and the other from televoting. Each nation's jury consisted of five music industry professionals who are citizens of the nation they represent, with their names being published before the contest to ensure transparency. This jury judged each entry based on: vocal capacity; the stage performance; the song's composition and originality; and the overall impression by the act. In addition, no member of a national jury was permitted to be related in any way to any of the competing acts in such a way that they cannot vote impartially and independently. The individual rankings of each jury member as well as the nation's televoting results were released soon after the grand final.[39]

The tables below visualise a breakdown of points awarded to Albania in the second semi-final and final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019, as well as by the nation on both occasions. In the semi-final, Albania finished in ninth place, being awarded a total of 96 points, including 12 by the televoters from Italy, North Macedonia and Switzerland, and the same number of points by the juries from North Macedonia.[40] In the final, Albania reached the 17th place with 90 points, including 12 by the televoters from Italy and North Macedonia, and eight by the juries from Montenegro and North Macedonia.[41] The nation's televoters awarded its 12 points to Norway in the semi-final and to Russia in the final.[40][41] Its juries awarded its 12 points to North Macedonia in both the semi-final and final.[40][41]

Points awarded to Albania

Points awarded by Albania

Detailed voting results

The following members comprised the Albanian jury:[39]

  • Gent Rushi (jury chairperson) – pedagogue, jazz musician
  • Eranda Libohova – singer
  • Dilan Reka – singer
  • Julka Gramo – singer, moderator, entertainer
  • Vikena Kamenica – mezzo-soprano
Detailed voting results from Albania (Semi-final 2)[40]
Draw Country Jury Televote
G. Rushi E. Libohova D. Reka J. Gramo V. Kamenica Rank Points Rank Points
01  Armenia10141417121414
02  Ireland11111313131215
03  Moldova1259958313
04   Switzerland667476556
05  Latvia17161515151716
06  Romania14131110171312
07  Denmark15121271111101
08  Sweden285364774
09  Austria31010121010117
10  Croatia7761189283
11  Malta833645611
12  Lithuania16171614141665
13  Russia914833892
14  Albania
15  Norway131517161615112
16  Netherlands4985974210
17  North Macedonia1221111238
18  Azerbaijan5412221047
Detailed voting results from Albania (Final)[41]
Draw Country Jury Televote
G. Rushi E. Libohova D. Reka J. Gramo V. Kamenica Rank Points Rank Points
01  Malta18121115161711
02  Albania
03  Czech Republic1018248171624
04  Germany71715991217
05  Russia1277125101112
06  Denmark6191911181421
07  San Marino252525242525210
08  North Macedonia2564111256
09  Sweden114132125613
10  Slovenia8132014131518
11  Cyprus22333104715
12  Netherlands15881041147
13  Greece141421147492
14  Israel219919111312
15  Norway13152120201965
16  United Kingdom11161413191820
17  Iceland23231725242322
18  Estonia20211816222216
19  Belarus16201622232125
20  Azerbaijan942183883
21  France31010768319
22  Italy565576538
23  Serbia17242318152023
24   Switzerland19216321074
25  Australia4111217292101
26  Spain24222223212414

Notes

  1. ↑ On 3 December 2018, RTSH announced that Vikena Kamenica would withdraw from the 57th edition of Festivali i Këngës due to scheduling issues.[13] Kamenica was subsequently replaced by Artemisa Mithi and Febi Shkurti.[14]
  2. ↑ Due to technical issues during the performance, Marko Strazimiri and Imbro had to perform again after all the performances.[26]
  3. ↑ Due to technical issues during the performance, Eranda Libohova had to perform again after all the performances.[26]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Countries: Albania". European Broadcasting Union. Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  2. ↑ "Stockholm 2016: Second Semi Final–Scoreboard". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  3. ↑ "Kyiv 2017: First Semi Final–Scoreboard". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  4. ↑ Jiandani, Sanjay (Sergio) (17 September 2018). "Albania: RTSH confirms participation in Eurovision 2019". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 15 January 2021. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
  5. 1 2 "All about Albania". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 14 July 2012. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 17 January 2021.
  6. ↑ Jiandani, Sanjay (Sergio) (17 September 2018). "Albania: RTSH confirms participation in Eurovision 2019". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  7. ↑ Niazi, Dan (17 October 2018). "RTSH announce "Festivali i Këngës 57" participants". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  8. ↑ Agadellis, Stratos (11 December 2018). "Albania: RTSH releases full versions of Festivali i Këngës 57 songs and confirms hosts". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  9. ↑ Farren, Neil (17 September 2018). "Albania:Eurovision 2019 Participation Confirmed". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  10. ↑ "Njoftim–Festivali i 57-të i Këngës në RTSH" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 16 May 2018. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  11. 1 2 3 "Shpallet lista me këngët konkuruese në Festivalin e 57-të të Këngës në RTSH" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 17 October 2018. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  12. ↑ Adams, William Lee (17 October 2018). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 57 reveals 22 acts and song titles ahead of December 22 final". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  13. ↑ "Vikena Kamenica nuk do të jetë pjesë e Festivalit të 57-te në RTSH" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 3 December 2018. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  14. ↑ "Vikena Kamenica tërhiqet nga Festivali i 57-të i Këngës në RTSH, në vend të saj Artemisa Mithi" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 3 December 2018. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  15. 1 2 Knoops, Roy (20 December 2018). "Watch now: Albania kicks off with the first night of Festivali i Këngës 57". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  16. 1 2 Agadellis, Stratos (21 December 2018). "Watch now: Festivali i Këngës 57 goes on with its second show". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  17. ↑ Granger, Anthony (13 December 2018). "Albania: Ermal Meta to Perform at Festivali i Këngës 57". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  18. ↑ "I ftuari special Ermal Meta mbyll natën e parë të Fest '57" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 20 December 2018. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  19. ↑ "Ja renditja e këngëve në natën e parë të Fest' 57" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 5 December 2018. Archived from the original on 19 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  20. ↑ "Nis finalja e Fest '57" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 22 December 2018. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  21. 1 2 Knoops, Roy (22 December 2018). "Watch now: Grand Final of Festivali i Këngës 57 in Albania". ESCToday. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  22. ↑ Tejeci, Erdi (22 December 2018). "14 finalists revealed for Festivali i Këngës 57 after Eurovision-style second night". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  23. ↑ "Kjo është juria e Festivalit të Këngës në RTSH" (in Albanian). Kult Plus. 21 December 2018. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  24. 1 2 Christou, Costa (22 December 2018). "Albania: Jonida Maliqi wins Festivali i Këngës 57!". ESCXtra. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  25. ↑ "Jonida Maliqi fiton Fest '57" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 22 December 2018. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  26. 1 2 Adams, William Lee (22 December 2018). "Albania: Jonida Maliqi wins Festivali i Këngës 57 with "Ktheju tokes"". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 30 October 2020.
  27. ↑ "Jonida Maliqi - Ktheju tokës - Albania 🇦🇱 - Official Music Video - Eurovision 2019". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 10 March 2019. Archived from the original on 28 March 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  28. ↑ "Kartolina e veçantë e përgatitur për prezantimin e Shqipërisë në "Eurovision 2019"". Telegrafi (in Albanian). 18 May 2019. Archived from the original on 18 May 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  29. ↑ "Postcard of Jonida Maliqi from Albania 🇦🇱 | Official Postcard". YouTube. 17 May 2019. Archived from the original on 5 April 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  30. ↑ Stephens, Heidi; Holmes, Oliver (18 May 2019). "Eurovision 2019: all the songs and action – as it happened". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  31. ↑ Dee, Daphne (12 April 2019). "Albania's Jonida Maliqi: "The song is personal to me, my sister also left Albania"". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 28 December 2019. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  32. ↑ Halpin, Chris (10 April 2019). "London Eurovision Party 2019: What are your questions for the stars?". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  33. ↑ Escudero, Victor M. (25 April 2019). "This was PrePartyES 2019 in Madrid". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 18 October 2020. Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  34. ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest–Tel Aviv 2019". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 12 August 2019. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  35. ↑ "Eurovision Song Contest–Rules". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 8 April 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  36. 1 2 Zwart, Josianne; Groot, Evert (28 January 2019). "Eurovision 2019: Which country takes part in which Semi-Final?". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 3 August 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  37. 1 2 Groot, Evert (2 April 2019). "Exclusive: This is the Eurovision 2019 Semi-Final running order!". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 7 July 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  38. ↑ Royston, Benny (16 May 2019). "Second Semi-Final: Last 10 acts qualify for Eurovision 2019 Grand Final". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 3 January 2020. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  39. 1 2 Groot, Evert (30 April 2019). "Exclusive: These are the judges who will vote in Eurovision 2019!". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 1 August 2019. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Results of the Second Semi-Final of Tel Aviv 2019". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Results of the Grand Final of Tel Aviv 2019". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 2 April 2021. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
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