Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022

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Eurovision Song Contest 2022
Country Albania
National selection
Selection processFestivali i Këngës 60
Selection date(s)Semi-finals:
27 December 2021
28 December 2021
Final:
29 December 2021
Selected entrantRonela Hajati
Selected song"Sekret"
Selected songwriter(s)
  • Ronela Hajati
  • Marko Polo
Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest
◄2021 • 2022

Albania is scheduled to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy, with the song "Sekret" performed by Ronela Hajati. Its entry was selected through the national selection competition Festivali i Këngës, which was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in December 2021.

Background[]

Main article: Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest

Prior to the 2022 contest, Albania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest seventeen times since its first entry in 2004. The nation's highest placing in the contest, to this point, was fifth place, which was achieved in 2012 with the song "Suus" performed by Rona Nishliu. Albania achieved its second-highest placing during their first participation in 2004, with the song "The Image of You" by Anjeza Shahini finishing in seventh place. During its tenure in the contest, the nation failed to qualify for the final seven times, with the 2016 and 2017 entries being the most recent non-qualifiers. Since 2018, it managed to qualify for the final in both the 2018 and 2019 contests, as well as in the 2021 contest, with Anxhela Peristeri finishing 21st place with "Karma".[1] In July 2021, the national broadcaster of Albania, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH), confirmed Albania's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Italy.[2] RTSH broadcasts the contest within Albania and organises the selection process for the nation's entry.[3] Since its debut in 2004, it has consistently selected its entry through the long-standing competition Festivali i Këngës.[3]

Before Eurovision[]

Festivali i Këngës[]

Main article: Festivali i Këngës 60

Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) organised the 60th edition of Festivali i Këngës in order to select the nation's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[2] The competition consisted of two semi-finals on 27 and 28 December, respectively, and the final on 29 December 2021.[4][5] The three live shows were hosted by Albanian presenters Ardit Gjebrea, Isli Islami, Kelvi Kadilli, Xhemi Shehu and singer Jonida Maliqi.[6] From 5 July 2021 to 15 October 2021, interested artists were able to submit their entries to the broadcaster.[7][8] A provisional list of 20 artists was released on 9 November 2021, as shortlisted by a jury panel consisting of Ardit Gjebrea, Arta Marku,  [sq; sv; ru],  [sv], Marjan Deda, Redi Treni and Zefina Hasani to compete in the semi-finals of the contest.[9][10] Their songs were made available to listen on the RTSH's official YouTube channel on 3 December 2021.[11]

Participants: Established artists[12]
Artist Song Songwriter(s)
Alban Ramosaj "Theje"
  • Marko Polo
  • Alban Ramosaj
Denis Skura "Pse nuk flet, mama?" Petrit Sinameti
 [sv] "Triumfi i jetës"
  • Jetmir Barbullushi
  • Zhuliana Jorganxhi
 [sq; sv; ru] "Më duaj"
  • Flamur Shehu
  • Zhuliana Jorganxhi
Gjergj Kaçinari "Në ëndërr mbete ti" Gjergj Kaçinari
Janex "Deluzional" Janex
Kastro Zizo "Kujë" Kastro Zizo
Kelly "Meteor" Kelly
Mirud "Për dreq"
  • Kledi Bahiti
  • Mirud
Rezarta Smaja "E jemja nuse" Shkodra Elektronike
Ronela Hajati "Sekret"
  • Marko Polo
  • Ronela Hajati
Sajmir Çili "Nën maskë"
  • Sajmir Çili
  • Pandi Laço
Shega "Një" Giorgio Fusco
Urban Band "Padrejtësi" Urban Band
Participants: New artists[12]
Artist Song Songwriter(s)
Eldis Arrnjeti "Refuzoj"
  • Bujar Daci
  • Eldis Arrnjeti
Ester Zahiri "Hiena" Kledi Bahiti
Kejsi Rustja "Vallëzoj me ty" Kejsi Rustja
Olimpia Smajlaj "Dua"
  • Genti Lako
  • Olimpia Smajlaj
Viola Xhemali "Eja si erë" Sokol Marsi
Xhuli Pjetraj "Baladë"
  • Enis Mullaj
  • Eriona Rushiti

Eurovision night[]

The third and final night of Festivali i Këngës took place on 29 December 2021 at 21:00 (CET).[13] For the first time, the contestants were permitted to perform in English or any other language.[14] The winner of the contest was determined by the combination of the votes by a seven-member jury panel, consisting of Anxhela Peristeri,  [sq], Anxhela Faber,  [sq], Rozana Radi, Olsa Toqi and Olti Curri.[15] Before the end of the contest, Ronela Hajati with "Sekret" emerged as the winner and was thus announced as Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2022.[16][17]

Key:   Winner   Second place   Third place

Eurovision night – 29 December 2021[13]
Draw Artist Song
1 Olimpia Smajlaj "Dua"
2 Denis Skura "Pse nuk flet, mama?"
3 Kelly "Meteor"
4 Sajmir Çili "Nën maskë"
5 Ester Zahiri "Hiena"
6 Kastro Zizo "Kujë"
7 Urban Band "Padrejtësi"
8 Gjergj Kaçinari "Në ëndërr mbete ti"
9 Evi Reçi "Më duaj"
10 Mirud "Për dreq"
11 Endri and Stefi Prifti "Triumfi i jetës"
12 Ronela Hajati "Sekret"
13 Shega "Një"
14 Janex "Deluzional"
15 Alban Ramosaj "Theje"
16 Eldis Arrnjeti "Refuzoj"
17 Rezarta Smaja "E jemja nuse"

Promotion[]

An accompanying music video for "Sekret" was uploaded on the official YouTube channel of the Eurovision Song Contest on 4 March 2022.[18][19]

At Eurovision[]

The Eurovision Song Contest 2022 is scheduled to take place at the PalaOlimpico in Turin, Italy, and will consist of two semi-finals held on the respective dates of 10 and 12 May and the grand final on 14 May 2022.[20] 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, are required to qualify from one of two semi-finals to compete for the final; the top 10 countries from their respective semi-finals progress to the grand final.[21] Prior to the semi-final allocation draw, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) split the competing countries into six different pots based on voting patterns from previous contests, with countries with favourable voting histories put into the same pot.[22] On 25 January 2022, the allocation draw was held at Palazzo Madama in Turin that placed each country into one of the two semi-finals, as well as which half of the show they would perform in.[22] Therein, it was announced that Albania is scheduled to perform in the first half of the first semi-final of the contest.[23]

References[]

  1. ^ "Countries: Albania". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). Archived from the original on 26 October 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2020.
  2. ^ a b Jiandani, Sanjay (Sergio) (5 July 2021). "Albania: RTSH confirms participation in Eurovision 2022: Fest 60 preparations kick off". ESCtoday. Archived from the original on 13 July 2021. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
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  4. ^ Farren, Neil (4 November 2021). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 60 Dates Revealed". Eurovoix. Archived from the original on 4 November 2021. Retrieved 4 November 2021.
  5. ^ Tejeci, Erdi (9 November 2021). "Albania: Festivali i Këngës 60 artists include MIRUD, Alban Ramosaj and Ronela Hajati". Wiwibloggs. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Festivali i Këngës, 20 garues për të përfaqësuar Shqipërinë në Eurovision". Euronews Albania (in Albanian). 6 December 2021. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Festivali i 60-të njofton fazën e përzgjedhjes" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 2 July 2021. Archived from the original on 27 September 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2021.
  8. ^ Tejeci, Erdi (5 July 2021). "Albania: RTSH opens song submissions for Festivali i Këngës 60". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 6 November 2021. Retrieved 6 July 2021.
  9. ^ "Shpallet lista e këngëtarëve pjesëmarrës në Festivalin e 60-të" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 9 November 2021. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  10. ^ "Albania: anunciados los participantes de la 60ª edición del Festivali I Këngës". ESCplus (in Spanish). 9 November 2021. Archived from the original on 9 November 2021. Retrieved 9 November 2021.
  11. ^ "Albania shares 'Festivali i Këngës' songs". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 3 December 2021. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  12. ^ a b "Albania shares 'Festivali i Këngës' songs". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 3 December 2021. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 4 December 2021.
  13. ^ a b "Fest' 60 – sonte nata finale e Festivalit të Këngës në RTSH" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  14. ^ Vautrey, Jonathan (29 December 2021). "Albania: Ronela Hajati wins Festivali i Këngës 60 and will sing 'Sekret' at Eurovision 2022". Wiwibloggs. Archived from the original on 2 January 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Fest 60' nis sonte nata e parë" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 27 December 2021. Archived from the original on 27 December 2021. Retrieved 28 December 2021.
  16. ^ "The 'Sekret' is out: Ronela Hajati will represent Albania". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  17. ^ "Ronela Hajati fiton vendin e parë në Festivalin e Këngës" (in Albanian). Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH). 29 December 2021. Archived from the original on 29 December 2021. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
  18. ^ "Ronela Hajati – Sekret – Albania – Official Music Video – Eurovision 2022". European Broadcasting Union (EBU). 5 March 2022. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  19. ^ Ronela Hajati – Sekret – Albania – Official Music Video – Eurovision 2022. YouTube. 5 March 2022. Archived from the original on 8 March 2022. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  20. ^ "Turin, Italy, to host the 66th Eurovision Song Contest in May 2022