# Festivali i Këngës 59

The Festivali i Këngës 59 was the 59th edition of the annual Albanian music competition Festivali i Këngës. It was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in an open-air venue at the Sheshi Italia in Tirana, Albania, and consisted of two semi-finals on 21 and 22 December, respectively, and the final on 23 December 2020. The three live shows were hosted by Jonida Vokshi and Blendi Salaj. Due to the pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the competition did not use the traditional symphonic orchestra and was not held as in the traditional location of the Pallati i Kongreseve but at the Sheshi Italia instead. Anxhela Peristeri with "Karma" emerged as the winner of the contest and represented Albania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2021 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

## Background and format

The 59th edition of Festivali i Këngës was organised by Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) in order to determine Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021. The former consisted of two semi-finals on 21 and 22 December, respectively, and the final on 23 December 2020. The three live shows were hosted by Albanian actress Jonida Vokshi and host Blendi Salaj.

### Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic

For the first time, due to the ongoing pandemic of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the competition did not involve the usual symphonic orchestra and was not held per tradition at the Pallati i Kongreseve but rather in an open-air location at the Sheshi Italia. As a result of the aforementioned, the performances of the semi-final and final were pre-recorded prior to the scheduled dates.

## Contestants

Prior to the scheduled event, RTSH opened a submission period for artists and composers to participate in Festivali i Këngës between August and October 2020. On 28 October, it published a provisory list of 26 artists and songs shortlisted by a jury panel, consisting of Agim Doçi, Alma Bektashi, Eugent Bushpepa, Jonida Maliqi and Klodian Qafoku, to compete in the semi-final of the contest. On 16 November 2020, the broadcaster ultimately released all of the competing songs on its official YouTube channel.
Participating entries :
| Artist | Song | Composer | Lyricist(s) |
| Agim Poshka | "Vendi im" | Agim Poshka | Agim Poshka |
| Anxhela Peristeri | "Karma" | Kledi Bahiti | Olti Curri |
| Devis Xherahu | "Peng" | Devis Xherahu | Pandi Laço |
| Enxhi Nasufi | "Njësoj" | Boocky DJ | Enxhi Nasufi |
| Era Rusi | "Zjarri im" | Enis Mullaj | Era Rusi, Eriona Rushiti |
| Erik Lloshi | "Jo" | Enis Mullaj | Endrit Mumajesi |
| Evi Reçi | "Tjerr" | Olsa Toqi | Florian Zyka |
| Fatos Shabani | "Ty" | Fatos Shabani | Fatos Shabani |
| Festina Mejzini | "Kush je ti dashuri" | Flamur Shehu | Jorgo Papingji |
| Florent Abrashi | "Vajzë" | Bledi Shishmani | Bledi Shishmani |
| Franc Koruni | "E morën botën" | Franc Koruni | Franc Koruni |
| Gigliola Haveriku | "E lirë" | Endrit Shani | Atina Laço |
| Gjergj Kaçinari | "Më jep jetë" | Gjergj Kaçinari | Gjergj Kaçinari, Ilir Krasniqi |
| Inis Neziri | "Pendesë" | Inis Neziri | Elhaid Cufi |
| Kamela Islamaj | "Kujtimet s'kanë formë" | Kamela Islamaj | Megi Hasani |
| Kastro Zizo | "Vallja e jetës" | Kastro Zizo | Kastro Zizo |
| Klinti Çollaku | "Do t'ja dal" | Endrit Shani | Pandi Laço |
| Manjola Nallbani | "Ora e jetës" | Eriona Rushiti | Eriona Rushiti |
| Mirud | "Nëse vdes" | Durim Morina | Durim Morina |
| Orgesa Zaimi | "Valixhja e kujtimeve" | Gridi Kraja | Olti Curri |
| Rosela Gjylbegu | "Vashëzo" | Eriona Rushiti | Rosela Gjylbegu |
| Sardi Strugaj | "Kam me t'ba me kajt" | Edesa Malçi | Sardi Strugaj |
| Stefan Marena | "Meteor" | Gramoz Kozeli | Klotilda Harka |
| Viktor Tahiraj | "Nënë" | Artur Dhamo | Nexhip Seraj |
| Wendi Mancaku | "Vesi i shpirtit tim" | Wendi Mancaku | Rozana Radi |
| Xhesika Polo | "Më mbron" | Marko Polo | Aleksandër Seitaj, Xhesika Polo |

## Semi-finals
### Semi-final 1

The first semi-final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 21 December 2020 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET). During the show, the competing participants performed the official studio versions of their respective entries. Prior to the second semi-final, the selected 18 songs to advance to the final were announced.
Semi-final 1–21 December 2020 :
| Draw | Artist | Song |
| 1 | Enxhi Nasufi | "Njësoj" |
| 2 | Franc Koruni | "E morën botën" |
| 3 | Gigliola Haveriku | "E lirë" |
| 4 | Orgesa Zaimi | "Valixhja e kujtimeve" |
| 5 | Erik Lloshi | "Jo" |
| 6 | Viktor Tahiraj | "Nënë" |
| 7 | Agim Poshka | "Vendi im" |
| 8 | Kastro Zizo | "Vallja e jetës" |
| 9 | Wendi Mancaku | "Vesi i shpirtit tim" |
| 10 | Gjergj Kaçinari | "Më jep jetë" |
| 11 | Era Rusi | "Zjarri im" |
| 12 | Devis Xherahu | "Peng" |
| 13 | Stefan Marena | "Meteor" |
| 14 | Rosela Gjylbegu | "Vashëzo" |
| 15 | Sardi Strugaj | "Kam me t'ba me kajt" |
| 16 | Xhesika Polo | "Më mbron" |
| 17 | Florent Abrashi | "Vajzë" |
| 18 | Fatos Shabani | "Ty" |
| 19 | Anxhela Peristeri | "Karma" |
| 20 | Evi Reçi | "Tjerr" |
| 21 | Inis Neziri | "Pendesë" |
| 22 | Klinti Çollaku | "Do t'ja dal" |
| 23 | Festina Mejzini | "Kush je ti dashuri" |
| 24 | Kamela Islamaj | "Kujtimet s'kanë formë" |
| 25 | Mirud | "Nëse vdes" |

### Semi-final 2

The second semi-final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 22 December 2020 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET). During the show, the competing participants performed the acoustic versions of their respective entries.
Semi-final 2–22 December 2020 :
| Draw | Artist | Song |
| 1 | Florent Abrashi | "Vajzë" |
| 2 | Stefan Marena | "Meteor" |
| 3 | Wendi Mancaku | "Vesi i shpirtit tim" |
| 4 | Viktor Tahiraj | "Nënë" |
| 5 | Sardi Strugaj | "Kam me t'ba me kajt" |
| 6 | Gigliola Haveriku | "E lirë" |
| 7 | Kastro Zizo | "Vallja e jetës" |
| 8 | Agim Poshka | "Vendi im" |
| 9 | Evi Reçi | "Tjerr" |
| 10 | Mirud | "Nëse vdes" |
| 11 | Festina Mejzini | "Kush je ti dashuri" |
| 12 | Anxhela Peristeri | "Karma" |
| 13 | Erik Lloshi | "Jo" |
| 14 | Inis Neziri | "Pendesë" |
| 15 | Franc Koruni | "E morën botën" |
| 16 | Fatos Shabani | "Ty" |
| 17 | Era Rusi | "Zjarri im" |
| 18 | Klinti Çollaku | "Do t'ja dal" |
| 19 | Devis Xherahu | "Peng" |
| 20 | Xhesika Polo | "Më mbron" |
| 21 | Gjergj Kaçinari | "Më jep jetë" |
| 22 | Kamela Islamaj | "Kujtimet s'kanë formë" |
| 23 | Enxhi Nasufi | "Njësoj" |
| 24 | Rosela Gjylbegu | "Vashëzo" |
| 25 | Orgesa Zaimi | "Valixhja e kujtimeve" |

## Final

The grand final of Festivali i Këngës took place on 23 December 2020 and was broadcast at 21:00 (CET). 18 songs competed and the winner was determined by the combination of the votes from a seven-member jury panel, consisting of Andri Xhahu, Kastriot Çaushi, Prec Zogaj, Rame Lahaj, Robert Radoja, Vasil Tole and Zana Shuteriqi. Before the end of the competition, Anxhela Peristeri with "Karma" emerged as the winner and was simultaneously announced as Albania's representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2021.
Key:  Winner  Second place  Third place
Final–23 December 2020 :
| Draw | Artist | Song |
| 1 | Sardi Strugaj | "Kam me t'ba me kajt" |
| 2 | Xhesika Polo | "Më mbron" |
| 3 | Orgesa Zaimi | "Valixhja e kujtimeve" |
| 4 | Wendi Mancaku | "Vesi i shpirtit tim" |
| 5 | Era Rusi | "Zjarri im" |
| 6 | Gjergj Kaçinari | "Më jep jetë" |
| 7 | Rosela Gjylbegu | "Vashëzo" |
| 8 | Devis Xherahu | "Peng" |
| 9 | Mirud | "Nëse vdes" |
| 10 | Gigliola Haveriku | "E lirë" |
| 11 | Viktor Tahiraj | "Nënë" |
| 12 | Kamela Islamaj | "Kujtimet s'kanë formë" |
| 13 | Florent Abrashi | "Vajzë" |
| 14 | Inis Neziri | "Pendesë" |
| 15 | Evi Reçi | "Tjerr" |
| 16 | Anxhela Peristeri | "Karma" |
| 17 | Festina Mejzini | "Kush je ti dashuri" |
| 18 | Kastro Zizo | "Vallja e jetës" |

## Broadcasters

RTSH provided international live streaming of the two semi-finals and the grand final of Festivali i Këngës through their official YouTube channel with no commentary.
Broadcasting :
| Country | Show(s) | Broadcaster | Ref |
| Albania | All shows | Radio Televizioni Shqiptar (RTSH) | |
| Kosovo | All shows | Radio Televizioni i Kosovës (RTK) | |