Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 explained

Year:2020
Country:Albania
Preselection:Albanian: [[Festivali i Këngës 58]]|italics=no
Preselection Date:Semi-finals:
19 December 2019
20 December 2019
Final:
22 December 2019
Entrant:Arilena Ara
Song:Fall from the Sky
Final Result:Contest cancelled

Albania was scheduled to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, with the song "Fall from the Sky" performed by Arilena Ara. Its selected entry was chosen through the national selection competition Albanian: [[Festivali i Këngës]]|italics=no organised by Albanian: [[Radio Televizioni Shqiptar]]|italics=no (RTSH) in December 2019. To this point, the nation had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest sixteen times since its first entry in . In March 2020, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced the contest's cancellation due to the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its rapid spread across Europe.

Background

See main article: Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Prior to the 2020 contest, Albania had participated in the Eurovision Song Contest sixteen times since its first entry in .[1] The country's highest placing in the contest, to this point, had been the fifth place, which it achieved in with the song "Latin: [[Suus]]|italics=no" performed by Rona Nishliu.[1] The first entry was performed by Anjeza Shahini with the song "The Image of You" and finished in the seventh place, Albania'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 and entries being the most recent non-qualifiers.[2] [3] Since the 2018 contest, Albania qualified for the grand final in both the and contest, with Eugent Bushpepa finishing in eleventh place with "Albanian: [[Mall (song)|Mall]]|italics=no" and Jonida Maliqi placing in seventeenth place with "Albanian: [[Ktheju tokës]]|italics=no".[1]

In July 2019, the national broadcaster of Albania, Albanian: [[RTSH|Radio Televizioni Shqiptar]]|italics=no (RTSH), officially confirmed Albania's participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.[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 Albanian: [[Festivali i Këngës]]|italics=no.[5]

Before Eurovision

Festivali i Këngës

See main article: Festivali i Këngës 58.

Albanian: [[RTSH|Radio Televizioni Shqiptar]]|italics=no (RTSH) organised the 58th edition of Albanian: Festivali i Këngës|italics=no in order to select the nation's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.[6] The competition consisted of two semi-finals on 19 and 20 December, respectively, and the grand final on 22 December 2019.[6] From May 2019 to September 2019, artists were able to submit their entries to the broadcaster. An artistic committee reviewed the received submissions and chose 20 artists and songs shortlisted to compete in the semi-finals of Albanian: Festivali i Këngës|italics=no.[7] [8]

Contestants

+ Contestants
Artist(s)SongSongwriter(s)
Albërie Hadërgjonaj"Albanian: Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua|italics=no"
Aldo Bardhi"Albanian: Melodi|italics=no"
Arilena Ara"Albanian: [[Fall from the Sky (song)|Shaj]]|italics=no"
Bojken Lako"Albanian: Malaseen|italics=no"Bojken Lako
Devis Xherahu"Albanian: Bisedoj me serenatën|italics=no"
Eli Fara and Stresi"Albanian: Bohem|italics=no"
Elvana Gjata"Albanian: [[Me tana]]|italics=no"Elvana Gjata
Era Rusi "Albanian: Eja merre|italics=no"
Gena"Albanian: Shqiponja e lirë|italics=no"
Genc Tukiçi and Nadia Tukiçi"Albanian: Ju flet Tirana|italics=no"
Kamela Islamaj"Albanian: Më ngjyros|italics=no"
Kanita Suma"Albanian: Ankth|italics=no"
Kastro Zizo"Albanian: Asaj|italics=no"
Olta Boka"Albanian: Botë për dy|italics=no"
Renis Gjoka"Albanian: Loja|italics=no"
Robert Berisha"Albanian: Ajo nuk është unë|italics=no"Filloreta Raci
Sara Bajraktari"Albanian: Ajër|italics=no"Adrian Hila
Tiri Gjoci"Albanian: Me gotën bosh|italics=no"
Valon Shehu"Albanian: Kutia e Pandorës|italics=no"
Wendi Mancaku"Albanian: Ende|italics=no"

Shows

Semi-finals

The semi-finals of Albanian: Festivali i Këngës|italics=no took place on 19 December and 20 December 2020 and were broadcast live at 21:00 (CET) on the respective dates.[9] Ten songs competed in each semi-final with five entries in the first and seven in the second semi-final qualifying for the final. The qualifying songs were selected by a jury panel consisting of two national and three international members with connections to the Eurovision Song Contest.[10] The jury panel was composed of Christer Björkman, Dimitris Kontopoulos, Felix Bergsson, Mikaela Minga and Rita Petro. The first semi-final was opened by the country's Eurovision Song Contest 2019 representative Jonida Maliqi performing her song "Albanian: [[Ktheju tokës]]|italics=no".[11] The interval act included Mahmood performing his songs "Italian: [[Barrio (song)|Barrio]]|italics=no" and "Italian: [[Soldi]]|italics=no".[12] The interval act in the second semi-final featured Agim Krajka and Lindita Theodhori with the song "Albanian: Kafe Flora|italics=no".[13] After the semi-finals, the votes of an expert jury panel selected twelve songs to advance to the grand final.[14]

Final

The grand final of Albanian: Festivali i Këngës|italics=no took place on 22 December 2019 and was broadcast live at 21:00 (CET).[9] [15] The final featured guest performances by Eleni Foureira and Giusy Ferreri.[16] Twelve songs competed and the winner was determined by the combination of the votes from a five-member jury panel.[17] Each member of the jury voted by assigning scores from 1–10, 13 and 18 points to their preferred songs. Before the end of the show, Arilena Ara emerged as the winner with "Albanian: [[Shaj (song)|Shaj]]|italics=no" and was simultaneously announced as Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.[18] [19] [20]

+ Final22 December 2019
DrawArtistSongTotalPlace
1Valon Shehu"Albanian: Kutia e Pandorës|italics=no"12776238
2Sara Bajraktari"Albanian: Ajër|italics=no"13101089503
3Robert Berisha"Albanian: Ajo nuk është unë|italics=no"932311810
4Tiri Gjoci"Albanian: Me gotën bosh|italics=no"24863238
5Bojken Lako"Albanian: Malaseen|italics=no"3831813454
6Arilena Ara"Albanian: [[Shaj (song)|Shaj]]|italics=no"1013131318671
7Gena"Albanian: Shqiponja e lirë|italics=no"471151810
8Kamela Islamaj"Albanian: Më ngjyros|italics=no"664910356
9Albërie Hadërgjonaj"Albanian: Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua|italics=no"75654277
10Elvana Gjata"Albanian: [[Me tana]]|italics=no"18181828642
11Olta Boka"Albanian: Botë për dy|italics=no"515421712
12Era Rusi"Albanian: Eja merre|italics=no"899107435

Promotion

An accompanying lyric video for "Fall from the Sky" premiered on the official YouTube channel of the Eurovision Song Contest on 10 March 2019.[21] [22] For further promotion, Arilena was scheduled to embark on a small tour with live performances at various Eurovision Song Contest-related events, including in Amsterdam, London and Madrid, before the tour was cancelled due to the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).[23] [24] [25] The first live performance of the song was broadcast during Arilena's Sounds of Silence concert at the Mother Teresa Square in Tirana on 2 May 2020 as well as the European Broadcasting Union's Eurovision Home Concerts series on 8 May 2020.[26] [27]

At Eurovision

The Eurovision Song Contest 2020 was initially scheduled to take place at Rotterdam Ahoy in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and consist of two semi-finals on 12 and 14 May, and the grand final on 16 May 2020.[28] According to the Eurovision rules, each participating country, except the host country and the "Big Five", consisting of,,, and the, would have been required to qualify from one of two semi-finals to compete for the final, although the top 10 countries from the respective semi-final would have progressed to the grand final.[29] In January, it was announced that Albania would be performing in the second half of the second semi-final of the contest.[30] However, in March, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced the contest's cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe.[31] With respect to Arilena and her entry "Fall from the Sky" participating in the 2021 contest, the EBU announced soon after that entries intended for 2020 would not be eligible for the following year, though each broadcaster would be able to send either their 2020 representative or a new one.[32] By September 2020, RTSH announced that they planned to instead host the next edition of Albanian: Festivali i Këngës|italics=no to choose their 2021 entry.[33]

Alternative song contests

The broadcasters who were planned to take part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 organised alternative music competitions. Amongst them, Austrian broadcaster, ORF, organised German: [[Der kleine Song Contest]] in April 2020, which saw every entry being assigned to one of three semi-finals. A jury, consisting of ten members that had represented at the contest before, was hired to rank each song, with the highest-placed in each semi-final advancing to the final round.[34] In the third semi-final on 18 April, Albania placed fourth in a field of thirteen participants, achieving a total of 62 points.[35] Swedish broadcaster, Sveriges Television, additionally organised Swedish: [[Sveriges 12:a]], in which Albania was scheduled to participate on 9 May 2020.[36]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Countries: Albania . 26 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201026144748/https://eurovision.tv/country/albania . 26 October 2020.
  2. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Stockholm 2016: Second Semi Final–Scoreboard . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028134452/https://eurovision.tv/event/stockholm-2016/second-semi-final . 28 October 2020 . dead .
  3. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Kyiv 2017: First Semi Final–Scoreboard . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028134643/https://eurovision.tv/event/kyiv-2017/first-semi-final . 28 October 2020.
  4. Web site: Herbert . Emily . Eurovoix . Albania: Eurovision 2020 Participation Confirmed . 31 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201031121236/https://eurovoix.com/2019/07/22/albania-eurovision-2020-participation-confirmed/ . 31 October 2020 . 22 July 2019.
  5. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . All about Albania . 17 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170801070832/https://eurovision.tv/story/all-about-albania . 1 August 2017 . 14 July 2012.
  6. Web site: Granger . Anthony . Eurovoix . Albania: Festivali i Këngës 58 Submissions Open . 23 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190528170126/https://eurovoix.com/2019/05/28/albania-festivali-i-kenges-58-submissions-open/ . 28 May 2019 . 28 May 2019.
  7. Web site: Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) . Festivali i 58-të i Këngës në RTSH, juria përzgjedh 20 këngëtarët pjesëmarrës . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028135004/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/festivali-i-58-i-kenges-ne-rtsh-juria-perzgjedh-20-kengetaret-pjesemarres/ . 28 October 2020 . sq . 24 October 2019.
  8. Web site: Lauren . . Albania: Festivali i Këngës 2019 song titles and composers revealed . 28 October 2020 . 8 December 2019.
  9. Web site: Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) . Netët e Festivalit . 24 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200424203004/https://festivali.rtsh.al/netet-e-festivalit . 24 April 2020.
  10. Web site: Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) . Fest' 58, dalin pikët e plota të jurisë . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028140146/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/fest-58-dalin-piket-e-plota-te-jurise/ . 28 October 2020 . sq . 23 December 2019.
  11. Web site: Outerson . Michael . EuroVisionary . Albania: The first ten acts perform at Festivali i Këngës 58 but willl any of them be heading to Eurovision . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200516173123/https://eurovisionary.com/albania-the-first-ten-acts-perform-at-festivali-i-kenges-58-but-willl-any-of-them-be-heading-to-eurovision/ . 16 May 2020 . 19 December 2019.
  12. Web site: Gallagher . Robyn . . Festivali i Këngës 58: Songs to be released on 9 December, Mahmood confirmed as interval act . 28 October 2020 . 6 December 2019.
  13. Web site: Outerson . Michael . EuroVisionary . Albania: Second semi final of Festivali i Këngës 58 takes place and the finalists are still to be announced . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201021231411/https://eurovisionary.com/albania-second-semi-final-of-festivali-i-kenges-58-takes-place-and-the-finalists-are-still-to-be-announced/ . 21 October 2020 . 20 December 2019.
  14. Web site: ESC kompakt . Live-Blog Albanien: Finale Festivali i Këngës 2019 . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028135717/https://esc-kompakt.de/live-blog-albanien-heute-2030-uhr-finale-festivali-i-kenges-2019/ . 28 October 2020 . de . 22 December 2019.
  15. Web site: Muldoon . Padraig . . Festivali i Këngës 58: Your ultimate guide to Albania's Eurovision 2020 selection . 28 October 2020 . 17 December 2019.
  16. Web site: Gallagher . Robyn . . Albania: Arilena Ara wins Festivali i Këngës 58 with "Shaj" . 28 October 2020 . 22 December 2019.
  17. Web site: Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) . Fest '58, dalin finalistët e natës së tretë . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028141156/https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/fest-58-dalin-finalistet-e-nates-se-trete . 28 October 2020 . 21 December 2019.
  18. Web site: Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) . Arilena Ara me "Shaj" fiton Fest '58 . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028141506/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/arilena-ara-me-shaj-fiton-fest-58/ . 28 October 2020 . 23 December 2019.
  19. Web site: . It's Arilena Ara for Albania! - Eurovision Song Contest . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028141621/https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-national-selection-festivali-i-kenges-2020 . 28 October 2020 . 23 December 2019 . dead .
  20. Web site: . Festivali i 58-të i Këngës, Arilena Ara do të përfaqësojë Shqipërinë në Eurovizion . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028141757/https://euronews.al/al/arte/2019/12/23/festivali-i-58-te-i-kenges-arilena-ara-do-te-perfaqesoje-shqiperine-ne-eurovizion . 28 October 2020 . sq . 23 December 2019.
  21. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Arilena Ara - Fall From The Sky - Albania - Official Lyric Video - Eurovision 2020 . 5 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200412124532/https://eurovision.tv/video/arilena-ara-fall-from-the-sky-albania-official-lyric-video-eurovision-2020 . 12 April 2020 . 10 March 2020.
  22. Web site: . Arilena Ara - Fall From The Sky - Albania - Eurovision 2020 Official Lyric Video . 5 May 2020 . 10 March 2020.
  23. Web site: Eurovoix . Eurovision 2020: Four Acts Confirmed for Eurovision In Concert So Far . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200128105830/https://eurovoix.com/2020/01/27/eurovision-2020-in-concert/ . 28 January 2020 . 27 January 2020.
  24. Web site: Waddell . Nathan . ESCXtra . Arilena Ara takes to the London Eurovision Party stage! . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028142241/https://escxtra.com/2020/02/21/albania-london-eurovision-party-2020/ . 28 October 2020 . 21 February 2020.
  25. Web site: Rico . Vicente . Eurovision Spain . Albania repite en la PrePartyES por cuarto año consecutivo . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028142400/https://www.eurovision-spain.com/iphp/noticia.php?numero=14466 . 28 October 2020 . es . 12 February 2020.
  26. Web site: Smith . David . . Albania: Arilena Ara gives outdoor lockdown concert, including first live performance of "Fall From the Sky" . 28 October 2020 . 3 May 2020.
  27. Web site: . Eurovision Home Concerts . 3 April 2020 . 9 May 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200508220129/https://eurovision.tv/eurovision-home-concerts . 8 May 2020.
  28. Web site: . Eurovision Song Contest–Rotterdam 2020 . 23 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200408073039/https://eurovision.tv/event/rotterdam-2020 . 8 April 2020.
  29. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Rules–Eurovision Song Contest . 12 January 2017 . 23 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200408073043/https://eurovision.tv/about/rules/ . 8 April 2020.
  30. Web site: Groot . Evert . European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Which country performs in which Eurovision 2020 Semi-Final? . 23 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200421145930/https://eurovision.tv/story/host-city-insignia-exchange-semi-final-allocation-draw-2020 . 21 April 2020 . 28 January 2020.
  31. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Eurovision 2020 in Rotterdam is cancelled . 23 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200421203057/https://eurovision.tv/story/eurovision-2020-in-rotterdam-is-cancelled . 21 April 2020 . 18 March 2020.
  32. Web site: European Broadcasting Union (EBU) . Intention to honour Eurovision 2020 songs and artists . 23 April 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200421141734/https://eurovision.tv/story/intention-to-honour-eurovision-2020-songs-artists . 21 April 2020 . 20 March 2020.
  33. Web site: Adams . William Lee . . Albania confirms Eurovision 2021 participation…and its hope to use Festivali i Këngës as the selection method . 18 January 2021 . 17 September 2020.
  34. Web site: Österreichischer Rundfunk (ORF) . "Mr. Song Contest proudly presents – Der 'kleine' Song Contest" am 14., 16. und 18. April in ORF 1 . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201028143018/https://tv.orf.at/highlights/orf1/200414_der_kleine_songcontest100.html . 28 October 2020 . de.
  35. Web site: Wilson . Katie . . Der kleine Song Contest: Austrian public choose Iceland's Daði & Gagnamagnið as their favourite Eurovision 2020 act . 28 October 2020 . 19 April 2020.
  36. Web site: Dahlander . Gustav . . Klart för Eurovision-vecka i SVT . 28 October 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200819074919/https://blogg.svt.se/melodifestivalen-expertbloggen/klart-for-eurovision-vecka-i-svt/ . 19 August 2020 . 3 April 2020 . sv.