Festivali i Këngës 58
{{Short description|58th edition of Festivali i Këngës}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox song contest
| name = Festivali i Këngës
| year = 58
| logo = Logo of Festivali i Këngës 58.jpg
| semi1 = 19 December 2019
| semi2 = 20 December 2019
| final = 22 December 2019
| presenters = Alketa Vejsiu
| host = {{lang|sq|Radio Televizioni Shqiptar | i=no}} (RTSH)
| venue = Pallati i Kongreseve, Tirana
| entries = 20
| vote = Jury selected the top three contestants and the Albanian representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.
| winner = "Shaj" by Arilena Ara
| prev_year = 57
| next_year = 59
}}
The Festivali i Këngës 58 was the 58th edition of the annual Albanian music competition Festivali i Këngës. It was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) at the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana, Albania, and consisted of two semi-finals on 19 and 20 December, respectively, and the final on 22 December 2019. The three live shows were hosted by Alketa Vejsiu. The winner of the contest was Arilena Ara with the song "Shaj", after receiving 67 points with two points ahead over Elvana Gjata with the song "Me tana". Ara was then scheduled to represent Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2020 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, before its cancellation related to the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Background and format
The 58th edition of Festivali i Këngës was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) for determining for determining Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020. The former consisted of two semi-finals on 19 and 20 December, respectively, and the final on 22 December 2019, and was held at the Pallati i Kongreseve in Tirana.{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title=Nis countdown-i: Zbulohen datat kur do të mbahet Festivali i 58-të i Këngës në RTSH! |url=https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/nis-countdown-i-zbulohen-datat-kur-do-te-mbahet-festivali-i-58-te-i-kenges-ne-rtsh/ |access-date=9 May 2020 |language=Albanian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200509222751/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/nis-countdown-i-zbulohen-datat-kur-do-te-mbahet-festivali-i-58-te-i-kenges-ne-rtsh/ |archive-date=9 May 2020 |date=28 October 2019}} The three live shows were hosted by Albanian television presenter Alketa Vejsiu.
= Interval acts =
On 31 October 2020, RTSH released the first details of the interval acts.{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title=Alketa Vejsiu, interviste ekskluzive për 'Aperitiv Fest' në RTSH, zbulon të ftuarit specialë në 3 netët e Festivalit të 58-të |url=https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/alketa-vejsiu-interviste-ekskluzive-per-aperitiv-fest-ne-rtsh-zbulon-te-ftuarit-speciale-ne-3-netet-e-festivalit-te-58-te/ |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031003508/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/alketa-vejsiu-interviste-ekskluzive-per-aperitiv-fest-ne-rtsh-zbulon-te-ftuarit-speciale-ne-3-netet-e-festivalit-te-58-te/ |archive-date=31 October 2020 |language=Albanian |date=6 December 2019}}{{cite web |publisher=Blitz |title=Alketa Vejsiu zbulon të ftuarit specialë të 'Festivalit të Këngës' |url=http://blitz.al/showblitz/rreth-e-rrotull/alketa-vejsiu-zbulon-te-ftuarit-speciale-te-festivalit-te-kenges/ |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031003644/http://blitz.al/showblitz/rreth-e-rrotull/alketa-vejsiu-zbulon-te-ftuarit-speciale-te-festivalit-te-kenges/ |archive-date=31 October 2020 |language=Albanian |date=7 December 2019}}{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title=Jo 3, por plot 15 minuta spektakël, Eleni Foureira premton t'i vërë flakën finales së Festivalit të Këngës! |url=https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/jo-3-por-plot-15-minuta-spektakel-eleni-foureira-premton-ti-vere-flaken-finales-se-festivalit-te-kenges |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031003746/https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/jo-3-por-plot-15-minuta-spektakel-eleni-foureira-premton-ti-vere-flaken-finales-se-festivalit-te-kenges |archive-date=31 October 2020 |language=Albanian |date=15 December 2019}} The opening act of the first semi-final featured Albanian singer Jonida Maliqi performing "Ktheju tokës".{{cite web |last=Outerson |first=Michael |publisher=EuroVisionary |title=Albania: The first ten acts perform at Festivali i Këngës 58 but willl any of them be heading to Eurovision |url=https://eurovisionary.com/albania-the-first-ten-acts-perform-at-festivali-i-kenges-58-but-willl-any-of-them-be-heading-to-eurovision/ |access-date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210107191615/https://eurovisionary.com/albania-the-first-ten-acts-perform-at-festivali-i-kenges-58-but-willl-any-of-them-be-heading-to-eurovision/ |archive-date=7 January 2021 |date=19 December 2019}} The interval act featured Italian singer Mahmood, who performed "Barrio" and "Soldi".{{cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Robyn |publisher=Wiwibloggs | title=Festivali i Këngës 58: Songs to be released on 9 December, Mahmood confirmed as interval act |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/12/06/albania-festivali-i-kenges-58-songs-released-on-9-december/246265/ |access-date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028140502/https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/12/06/albania-festivali-i-kenges-58-songs-released-on-9-december/246265/ |archive-date=28 October 2020 |date=6 December 2019}} The second semi-final's interval act included Agim Krajka and Lindita Theodhori who performed "Kafe Flora".{{cite web |last=Outerson |first=Michael |publisher=EuroVisionary |title=Albania: Second semi final of Festivali i Këngës 58 takes place and the finalists are still to be announced |url=https://www.eurovisionary.com/albania-second-semi-final-of-festivali-i-kenges-58-takes-place-and-the-finalists-are-still-to-be-announced/ |access-date=7 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128102910/https://eurovisionary.com/albania-second-semi-final-of-festivali-i-kenges-58-takes-place-and-the-finalists-are-still-to-be-announced/ |archive-date=28 November 2020 |date=20 December 2019}} During the grand final, Italian singer Giusy Ferreri and Albanian-born Greek singer Eleni Foureira performed mashups of several of their songs.
Contestants
Prior to the scheduled event, in October 2019, RTSH published a provisory list of 20 artists shortlisted to compete in the two semi-finals of Festivali i Këngës, with the songs being revealed on 9 December.{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |url=https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/festivali-i-58-i-kenges-ne-rtsh-juria-perzgjedh-20-kengetaret-pjesemarres/ |title=Festivali i 58-të i Këngës në RTSH, juria përzgjedh 20 këngëtarët pjesëmarrës |access-date=10 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210012352/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/festivali-i-58-i-kenges-ne-rtsh-juria-perzgjedh-20-kengetaret-pjesemarres/ |archive-date=10 December 2019 |language=Albanian |date=24 October 2019}}{{cite web |author=Lauren |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=Albania: Festivali i Këngës 2019 song titles and composers revealed |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/12/08/albania-festivali-i-kenges-2019-song-titles-and-composers-revealed/246348/ |access-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030234850/https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/12/08/albania-festivali-i-kenges-2019-song-titles-and-composers-revealed/246348/ |archive-date=30 October 2020 |date=8 December 2019}} The broadcaster had previously opened a submission period for artists and composers to participate in the competition between May and September 2019.{{cite web |last=Granger |first=Anthony |publisher=Eurovoix |title=Albania: Festivali i Këngës 58 Submissions Open |url=https://eurovoix.com/2019/05/28/albania-festivali-i-kenges-58-submissions-open/ |access-date=23 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528170126/https://eurovoix.com/2019/05/28/albania-festivali-i-kenges-58-submissions-open/ |archive-date=28 May 2019 |date=28 May 2019}}
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto" |
| scope="col" | Artist(s)
! scope="col" | Song ! scope="col" | Composer(s) ! scope="col" | Lyricist |
|---|
| scope="row" | Albërie Hadërgjonaj
| "Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua" | Adrian Hila | Timo Flloko |
| scope="row" | Aldo Bardhi
| "Melodi" | Antoni Polimeni, Richy Sebastian | Aldo Bardhi |
| scope="row" | Arilena Ara
| "Shaj" | Darko Dimitrov, Lazar Cvetkoski |
| scope="row" | Bojken Lako
| "Malaseen" | colspan="2" | Bojken Lako |
| scope="row" | Devis Xherahu
| "Bisedoj me serenatën" | Devis Xherahu | Jorgo Papingji |
| scope="row" | Eli Fara and Stresi
| "Bohem" | Eli Fara |
| scope="row" | Elvana Gjata
| "Me tana" | colspan="2" | Elvana Gjata |
| scope="row" | Era Rusi
| "Eja merre" | Darko Dimitrov | Era Rusi |
| scope="row" | Gena
| "Shqiponja e lirë" | Gena | Endrit Mumajesi |
| scope="row" | Genc Tukiçi and Nadia Tukiçi
| "Ju flet Tirana" | Genc Tukiçi | Agim Xheka |
| scope="row" | Kamela Islamaj
| "Më ngjyros" | Kamela Islamaj | Megi Hasani |
| scope="row" | Kanita Suma
| "Ankth" |
| scope="row" | Kastro Zizo
| "Asaj" | colspan="2" | Gramoz Kozeli, Klevis Bega |
| scope="row" | Olta Boka
| "Botë për dy" | Florent Boshnjaku | Genc Salihu |
| scope="row" | Renis Gjoka
| "Loja" | Renis Gjoka | Ilir Krasniqi |
| scope="row" | Robert Berisha
| "Ajo nuk është unë" | colspan="2" | Filloreta Raci |
| scope="row" | Sara Bajraktari
| "Ajër" | colspan="2" | Adrian Hila |
| scope="row" | Tiri Gjoci
| "Me gotën bosh" | Everest Ndreca | Pandi Laço |
| scope="row" | Valon Shehu
| "Kutia e Pandorës" | Elvis Preni |
| scope="row" | Wendi Mancaku
| "Ende" | Wendi Mancaku | Endrit Mumajesi |
Semi-finals
= Semi-final 1 =
The first semi-final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 19 December 2019 and was broadcast live at 21:00 (CET).{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title=Netët e Festivalit |url=https://festivali.rtsh.al/netet-e-festivalit |access-date=10 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424203004/https://festivali.rtsh.al/netet-e-festivalit |archive-date=24 April 2020 |language=Albanian}}{{cite web |last=Agadellis |first=Stratos |publisher=ESCToday |title=Watch now: Festivali i Këngës 58 begins in Albania with first semi-final |url=http://esctoday.com/178259/tonight-festivali-i-kenges-58-begins-in-albania-with-first-semi-final/ |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031000047/http://esctoday.com/178259/tonight-festivali-i-kenges-58-begins-in-albania-with-first-semi-final/ |archive-date=31 October 2020 |date=19 December 2019}} The qualifying songs were selected by a jury panel consisting of two national and three international members with connections to the Eurovision Song Contest.{{cite web |date=23 December 2019 |title=Fest' 58, dalin pikët e plota të jurisë |url=https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/fest-58-dalin-piket-e-plota-te-jurise/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028140146/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/fest-58-dalin-piket-e-plota-te-jurise/ |archive-date=28 October 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020 |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |language=sq}} 10 contestants participated in the first semi-final, while the highlighted contestants qualified for the grand final.{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title=Përfundon nata e parë e Fest '58 |url=https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/perfundon-nata-e-pare-e-fest-58 |access-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030235502/https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/perfundon-nata-e-pare-e-fest-58 |archive-date=30 October 2020 |language=Albanian |date=20 December 2019}}{{cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Robyn |publisher=Wiwibloggs |title=Albania: Semi-final allocations and running order confirmed for Festivali i Këngës 58 |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/12/16/albania-festivali-i-kenges-58-semi-final-running-order/246586/ |access-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030235632/https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/12/16/albania-festivali-i-kenges-58-semi-final-running-order/246586/ |archive-date=30 October 2020 |date=16 December 2019}} The first semi-final was opened by the country's Eurovision Song Contest 2019 representative Jonida Maliqi performing her song "{{lang|sq|Ktheju tokës | italics=no}}".{{cite web |last=Outerson |first=Michael |date=19 December 2019 |title=Albania: The first ten acts perform at Festivali i Këngës 58 but willl any of them be heading to Eurovision |url=https://eurovisionary.com/albania-the-first-ten-acts-perform-at-festivali-i-kenges-58-but-willl-any-of-them-be-heading-to-eurovision/ |archive-url=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/ |archive-date=16 May 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020 |publisher=EuroVisionary}} The interval act included Mahmood performing his songs "{{lang|it|Barrio | italics=no}}" and "{{lang|it|Soldi | italics=no}}".{{cite web |last=Gallagher |first=Robyn |date=6 December 2019 |title=Festivali i Këngës 58: Songs to be released on 9 December, Mahmood confirmed as interval act |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/12/06/albania-festivali-i-kenges-58-songs-released-on-9-december/246265/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028140502/https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/12/06/albania-festivali-i-kenges-58-songs-released-on-9-december/246265/ |archive-date=28 October 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020 |publisher=Wiwibloggs}}
| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;" |
| Draw
! rowspan="1" style="width:12em;" | Artist(s) ! rowspan="1" style="width:11em;" | Song |
|---|
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" | {{center|1}} | Bojken Lako | "Malaseen" |
| scope="row" | {{center|2}}
| "Ankth" |
| scope="row" | {{center|3}}
| Devis Xherahu | "Bisedoj me serenatën" |
| scope="row" | {{center|4}}
| Aldo Bardhi | "Melodi" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" | {{center|5}} | Kamela Islamaj | "Më ngjyros" |
| scope="row" | {{center|6}}
| Genc Tukiçi and Nadia Tukiçi | "Ju flet Tirana" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" | {{center|7}} | Sara Bajraktari | "Ajër" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" | {{center|8}} | "Me tana" |
| scope="row" | {{center|9}}
| Renis Gjoka | "Loja" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" | {{center|10}} | Albërie Hadërgjonaj | "Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua" |
= Semi-final 2 =
The second semi-final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 20 December 2019 and was broadcast live at 21:00 (CET).{{cite web |last=Casellini |first=Stefano |publisher=ESCToday |title=Watch now: The second semi-final of Festivali i Këngës 58 in Albania |url=http://esctoday.com/178274/tonight-the-second-semi-final-of-festivali-i-kenges-58-in-albania/ |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031000433/http://esctoday.com/178274/tonight-the-second-semi-final-of-festivali-i-kenges-58-in-albania/ |archive-date=31 October 2020 |date=20 December 2019}} 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 contestants participated in the second semi-final, while the highlighted contestants qualified for the grand final. The interval act in the second semi-final featured Agim Krajka and Lindita Theodhori with the song "{{lang|sq|Kafe Flora|italics=no}}".{{cite web |last=Outerson |first=Michael |date=20 December 2019 |title=Albania: Second semi final of Festivali i Këngës 58 takes place and the finalists are still to be announced |url=https://eurovisionary.com/albania-second-semi-final-of-festivali-i-kenges-58-takes-place-and-the-finalists-are-still-to-be-announced/ |archive-url=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/ |archive-date=21 October 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020 |publisher=EuroVisionary}}
| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto;" |
| Draw
! rowspan="1" style="width:12em;" | Artist(s) ! rowspan="1" style="width:11em;" | Song |
|---|
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" | {{center|1}} | Robert Berisha | "Ajo nuk është unë" |
| scope="row" | {{center|2}}
| Wendi Mancaku | "Ende" |
| scope="row" | {{center|3}}
| "Asaj" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" | {{center|4}} | "Me gotën bosh" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" | {{center|5}} | Era Rusi | "Eja merre" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" | {{center|6}} | "Botë për dy" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" | {{center|7}} | Valon Shehu | "Kutia e Pandorës" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" | {{center|8}} | "Shaj" |
| scope="row" | {{center|9}}
| Eli Fara and Stresi | "Bohemë" |
| style="font-weight:bold; background:#CEDFF2;"
! scope="row" | {{center|10}} | Gena | "Shqiponja e lirë" |
Final
The grand final of the competition took place on 22 December 2019 and was broadcast live at 21:00 (CET).{{cite web |last=Agadellis |first=Stratos |publisher=ESCToday |title=Watch now: The Grand Final of Festivali i Këngës 58 in Albania |url=http://esctoday.com/178293/watch-now-the-grand-final-of-festivali-i-kenges-58-in-albania/ |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031000741/http://esctoday.com/178293/watch-now-the-grand-final-of-festivali-i-kenges-58-in-albania/ |archive-date=31 October 2020 |date=22 December 2019}} The contestants that qualified for the final were announced on 21 December 2019, and the winner was determined by a five-member jury consisting of two Albanian members and three international members with connections to the Eurovision Song Contest.{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title=Fest '58, dalin finalistët e natës së tretë |url=https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/fest-58-dalin-finalistet-e-nates-se-trete |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028141156/https://festivali.rtsh.al/artikull/fest-58-dalin-finalistet-e-nates-se-trete |archive-date=28 October 2020 |language=Albanian |date=21 December 2019}}{{cite web |last=Casellini |first=Stefano |publisher=ESCToday |title=Albania: The final line-up of Festivali i Këngës 58 is complete! |url=http://esctoday.com/178276/albania-the-final-line-up-of-festivali-i-kenges-58-is-complete/ |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031001519/http://esctoday.com/178276/albania-the-final-line-up-of-festivali-i-kenges-58-is-complete/ |archive-date=31 October 2020 |date=21 December 2019}}{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title=Fest' 58, dalin pikët e plota të jurisë |url=https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/fest-58-dalin-piket-e-plota-te-jurise/ |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031001347/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/fest-58-dalin-piket-e-plota-te-jurise/ |archive-date=31 October 2020 |language=Albanian |date=23 December 2019}} The five-member jury was made up of Christer Björkman (Sweden), Dimitris Kontopoulos (Greece), Felix Bergsson (Iceland), Mikaela Minga (Albania) and Rita Petro (Albania).{{cite web |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) |title='Fest 58', 12 finalistët në garë për në finale e madhe të Festivalit të Këngës në RTSH, juria që do përzgjedhë më të mirin |url=https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/fest-58-12-finalistet-ne-gare-per-ne-finale-e-madhe-te-festivalit-te-kenges-ne-rtsh-juria-qe-do-perzgjedhe-me-te-mirin/ |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031002300/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/fest-58-12-finalistet-ne-gare-per-ne-finale-e-madhe-te-festivalit-te-kenges-ne-rtsh-juria-qe-do-perzgjedhe-me-te-mirin/ |archive-date=31 October 2020 |language=Albanian |date=21 December 2019}}{{cite web |last=Hertlein |first=Benjamin |publisher=ESC Kompakt |title=Live-Blog Albanien: Finale Festivali i Këngës 2019 |url=https://esc-kompakt.de/live-blog-albanien-heute-2030-uhr-finale-festivali-i-kenges-2019/ |access-date=31 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031002420/https://esc-kompakt.de/live-blog-albanien-heute-2030-uhr-finale-festivali-i-kenges-2019/ |archive-date=31 October 2020 |language=German |date=22 December 2019}} 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 "{{lang|sq|Shaj | italics=no}}" and was simultaneously announced as Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2020.{{cite web |date=23 December 2019 |title=Arilena Ara me "Shaj" fiton Fest '58 |url=https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/arilena-ara-me-shaj-fiton-fest-58/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028141506/https://www.rtsh.al/lajme/arilena-ara-me-shaj-fiton-fest-58/ |archive-date=28 October 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020 |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH)}}{{cite web |date=23 December 2019 |title=It's Arilena Ara for Albania! - Eurovision Song Contest |url=https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-national-selection-festivali-i-kenges-2020 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028141621/https://eurovision.tv/story/albania-national-selection-festivali-i-kenges-2020 |archive-date=28 October 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020 |publisher=European Broadcasting Union}}{{cite web |date=23 December 2019 |title=Festivali i 58-të i Këngës, Arilena Ara do të përfaqësojë Shqipërinë në Eurovizion |url=https://euronews.al/al/arte/2019/12/23/festivali-i-58-te-i-kenges-arilena-ara-do-te-perfaqesoje-shqiperine-ne-eurovizion |archive-url=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 |archive-date=28 October 2020 |access-date=28 October 2020 |publisher=Euronews Albania |language=sq}}
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" style="margin: 1em auto 1em auto; text-align:center"
|+ Final{{snd}}22 December 2019{{cite web |title=Netët e Festivalit |url=https://festivali.rtsh.al/netet-e-festivalit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424203004/https://festivali.rtsh.al/netet-e-festivalit |archive-date=24 April 2020 |access-date=24 April 2020 |publisher=Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH)}} ! Draw ! Artist ! Song ! {{small|{{Abbr|C. Björkman|Christer Bjorkman}}}} ! {{small|{{Abbr|D. Kontopoulos|Dimitris Kontopoulos}}}} ! {{small|{{Abbr|F. Bergsson|Felix Bergsson}}}} ! {{small|{{Abbr|M. Minga|Mikaela Minga}}}} ! {{small|{{Abbr|R. Petro|Rita Petro}}}} ! Total ! Place |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" |1
| align="left" | Valon Shehu | align="left" | "{{lang|sq|Kutia e Pandorës|italics=no}}" | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 23 | 8 |
|---|
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" |2
| align="left" | Sara Bajraktari | align="left" | "{{lang|sq|Ajër|italics=no}}" | 13 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 50 | 3 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" |3
| align="left" | Robert Berisha | align="left" | "{{lang|sq|Ajo nuk është unë|italics=no}}" | 9 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 10 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" |4
| align="left" | Tiri Gjoci | align="left" | "{{lang|sq|Me gotën bosh|italics=no}}" | 2 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 23 | 8 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" |5
| align="left" | Bojken Lako | align="left" | "{{lang|sq|Malaseen|italics=no}}" | 3 | 8 | 3 | 18 | 13 | 45 | 4 |
| style="background:gold;"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:bold; background:gold;" |6 | align="left" | Arilena Ara | align="left" | "{{lang|sq|Shaj | italics=no}}" | 10 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 18 | 67 | 1 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" |7
| align="left" | Gena | align="left" | "{{lang|sq|Shqiponja e lirë|italics=no}}" | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 10 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" |8
| align="left" | Kamela Islamaj | align="left" | "{{lang|sq|Më ngjyros|italics=no}}" | 6 | 6 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 35 | 6 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" |9
| align="left" | Albërie Hadërgjonaj | align="left" | "{{lang|sq|Ku ta gjej dikë ta dua|italics=no}}" | 7 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 27 | 7 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" |10
| align="left" | Elvana Gjata | align="left" | "{{lang|sq|Me tana | italics=no}}" | 18 | 18 | 18 | 2 | 8 | 64 | 2 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" |11
| align="left" | Olta Boka | align="left" | "{{lang|sq|Botë për dy|italics=no}}" | 5 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 17 | 12 |
| scope="row" style="text-align:center;" |12
| align="left" | Era Rusi | align="left" | "{{lang|sq|Eja merre|italics=no}}" | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 43 | 5 |
Controversy
Following the results of the competition, mixed reactions followed, with multiple individuals criticising the results itself and attributing the singer's victory to arranged voting.{{cite web |last=Muldoon |first=Padraig |date=23 December 2019 |title='I am speechless' – Festivali i Këngës 58 host Alketa Vejsiu speaks out amidst social media controversy |url=https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/12/23/alketa-vejsiu-statement-on-festivali-i-kenges-58-result/246917/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031002856/https://wiwibloggs.com/2019/12/23/alketa-vejsiu-statement-on-festivali-i-kenges-58-result/246917/ |archive-date=31 October 2020 |access-date=31 October 2020 |publisher=Wiwibloggs}} All three international jurors ranked runner-up Elvana Gjata first, whereas the two Albanian jurors placed her performance substantially lower.{{Cite web |last=Noutsos |first=Angelos |date=2019-12-24 |title=🇦🇱 Festivali i Këngës 58 host Alketa Vejsiu issues a statement regarding the controversial jury results |url=https://escxtra.com/2019/12/24/festivali-i-kenges-58-host-alketa-vejsiu-issues-a-statement-regarding-the-controversial-jury-results/ |access-date=2022-11-24 |website=ESCXTRA.com |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Full results of the 58th Festivali i Kenges revealed! |url=https://escbubble.com/2019/12/full-results-of-the-58th-festivali-i-kenges-revealed/ |access-date=2022-11-24 |website=ESCBubble |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Mazoyer |first=Vincent |date=2019-12-23 |title=🇦🇱 FiK 58 full results out : Shaj won with a three-point margin |url=https://escxtra.com/2019/12/23/fik-58-full-results-out-shaj-won-with-a-three-point-margin/ |access-date=2022-11-24 |website=ESCXTRA.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=2020-11-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201128220229/https://escxtra.com/2019/12/23/fik-58-full-results-out-shaj-won-with-a-three-point-margin/ |url-status=dead }} Host Alketa Vejsiu expressed her dissatisfaction with the Albanian jury members' votes, stating "I believe in meritocracy and I am deeply sorry that in this platform I could not give voice to the public. I am sorry if I disappointed [the public and Elvana], I understand and respect your sensibility please spare me of accusations. I was not the jury and I did not choose the jury." Jury member Mikaela Minga, who awarded "{{lang|sq|Me tana|italics=no}}" two points, later stated that she down-voted the song due to its "gypsy influence", stating it wasn't "Albanian enough".{{Cite web |last=Christou |first=Costa |date=2019-12-30 |title=XTRA Debate: Rethinking the role of jurors going into the 2020 national final season |url=https://escxtra.com/2019/12/30/xtra-debate-rethinking-the-role-of-jurors-going-into-the-2020-national-final-season/ |access-date=2022-11-24 |website=ESCXTRA.com |language=en-GB |archive-date=2022-12-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203181918/https://escxtra.com/2019/12/30/xtra-debate-rethinking-the-role-of-jurors-going-into-the-2020-national-final-season/ |url-status=dead }}
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Festivali i Këngës}}
Category:2019 in Albanian music
Category:December 2019 in Europe